Mickoski of PS NATO: Not to allow bilateral disputes to be an obstacle to achieving the collective goal

The regular annual meeting of the Standing Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is held today in the Parliament of Macedonia, which includes heads and deputy chiefs of national parliamentary delegations. The meeting was opened by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Defense Minister Vlado Misajlovski, as well as the head of the delegation Dragan Kovakki.

Prime Minister Mickoski, referring to the tragedy in Kocani, noted that the country has proven its solidarity with other countries many times, but on the other hand our homeland has not always received what it expected.

– Our homeland has repeatedly proved its solidarity with other countries in the world. And in their bumpy road to the goal made many concessions, many denials, and many of them came to debate with the citizens, some brought in justified suspicion, but we endured and showed their loyalty to the values ​​we continue to believe. On the other hand, our homeland did not always receive what was expected, and such loyalty to our efforts was fulfilled. It is the feeling that every single one has and every single citizen. I think it is important to know this, nor should this bitter feeling in every Macedonian – said Mickoski.

The prime minister said that the introduction of mechanisms should be considered where bilateral disputes will not be allowed to be an obstacle to achieving the collective and common goal.

– Friends help themselves, but friends sincerely tell their feelings and remarks. I think we should also consider introducing mechanisms where bilateral disputes will be allowed to be an obstacle to achieving the collective and common goal. If we all keep the house together, then and together we have the right to tell our problems, disappointments and expectations. We will remain a loyal partner, and together we will work together to achieve collective goals – said Mickoski.

According to him, the tragedy in Kocani has shown that solidarity is not only a word, but also a work that connects the peoples.

– Nine European countries offered help immediately after the tragedy in Kocani. The European Union, through the civil protection mechanism, coordinated medical evacuations of the injured to specialized hospitals in the region. This tragedy has shown us that solidarity is not only a word, but a work that connects the peoples – said Mickoski.

In the past five years, he added, we have significantly improved the interoperability of our armed forces with those of other allies.

– We are working to improve strategic planning, civilian control over the army, modernization of equipment and transparency in defense resources management. The trainings are conducted according to NATO delocates, and the new institutional mechanisms make us more resistant to hybrid threats. It is all a reflection of our political will and the consensus that the security and integrity of the state are a top priority. Although we are proud of what we have achieved, we are aware that the road does not end there. Hybrid and cyber threats, misinformation, climate crises-they all require constant adaptation and coordination-the prime minister said.

Mickoski noted that regional cooperation is crucial to the stability of the Balkans. For us, it is a responsibility and opportunity to be a bridge between nations, among institutions, among visions.

– Through initiatives such as the Adriatic Charter and bilateral partnerships with neighboring countries, we invest in security that knows no bounds. We believe that the Balkans can and should be an example of resolving differences through dialogue and mutual respect – the prime minister said.

Defense Minister Misajlovski said that the meeting of the Standing Committee, which is being organized for the first time in Macedonia, is a strong signal of unity and confirmation of our decisions to strengthen allied cooperation, transparency and parliamentary democracy.

– MPs are a vital link between representatives of all 32 parliaments and we are grateful for all work and commitment to defending common goals and interests. We remain committed to stable investment in defense, separating 2 percent of GDP and over 32 percent of them for one of the most important items-equipping and modernizing the army, thus strengthening national and collective defense-said Misajlovski.

The minister said that NATO is an ideal that is based on the fact that only if we are together and associated, we can defend and strengthen our lifestyle, the minister said, among other things, in a speech in Parliament.

– When the whole nation was in shock, the first calls for compassion, but also solidarity and support came from my colleagues – ministers of defense from allied countries. And for me there is no greater evidence that we are not alone. We have 31 ally, we have true friends that we can address for help. That’s NATO. It is alliance. It is the unbreakable link that makes 32 countries in the Alliance a united force – said Misajlovski.

The head of the Kovachki delegation, opening the meeting, noted that this gathering is of particular importance as we celebrate the five -year anniversary of our membership in the Alliance.

« During these five years, our nation has remained a dedicated ally, actively sharing responsibilities and contributing to promoting peace, security and stability in our region and through NATO space, » Kovachki said and expressed gratitude for the tragic event in Kocani, citing allies who responded quickly.

He pointed out that the civilized world is going through very specific changes and uncertainties and for these reasons unity in the Alliance is more than ever. Wished a successful course of the meeting.

NATO Parliamentary Assembly Speaker Marcos Perostrello congratulated the country for its 5th anniversary NATO membership, which he emphasized, strengthened the country’s security and the Alliance.

– In 5 years, Northern Macedonia has shown that it is a valuable and trusted ally, which fulfills the 2 % GDP goal, contributes to the defense of the East Wing, Bulgaria and Latvia, an ally that supports the stability of the Western Balkans through its contribution to KFOR and ally that supports Ukraine.

In his speech, he also mentioned NATO solidarity with the tragic fire in Kocani, when fifteen allies provided direct support for the country, including assistance in medical evacuation. He concluded that in the period when we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Alliance and 70 years of the existence of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, we should be ready for responsibility and action to consider the complex number of threats and challenges that require all of us greater unification and strengthening of our capacities.

Upon completion of the introductory part, the meeting continues in a closed format.

The Permanent Committee is the highest management body, whose sessions are held separately every spring and usually, before the spring and annual plenary session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. In addition to the president, the Vice-Presidents and the Treasurer are members of the heads of parliamentary delegations from the national parliaments of the member states, as well as the chairmen of the committee and the special group of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, who are ex-offizing members of this body. According to the rules on the work of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and if it is not decided otherwise, the working part of these meetings is of a closed nature. The decisions of the Standing Committee always precede the decisions made at the plenary sessions of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.