Siljanovska Davkova Meets Admiral Stewart Manch, Commander of NATO Joint Command in Naples

President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova received today a delegation of the NATO Federal Command in Naples, led by Admiral Stuart Manch, who is staying in the country with her colleagues on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of our country’s NATO membership. The meeting was also attended by US Ambassador Angela Ageller.

As the President’s Cabinet points out, stressing his gratitude for their presence in a significant jubilee for the state, President Siljanovska Davkova said that of the two strategic goals for which there was a consensus, the first – NATO is a reality, and does not see a reason for the second – the EU not to come true.

And in this difficult and sad period that Macedonian citizens go through, as he said, it was very important for us to know that we are not alone and that our friends, including NATO, and in the most difficult times are with us.

Expressing compassion for the huge loss in the tragedy in Kocani, Admiral Manch said that the state and all other countries that help recognized the importance of a quick response to the crisis.

The interlocutors pledged to further cooperate within the Alliance, with Admiral Manch thanking for the Macedonian contribution to numerous peacekeeping missions, which he received a deserved respect.

The president expressed readiness to continue to be part of NATO missions to contribute to the preservation of regional and global security.

The meeting also discussed the situation in the Balkans and both agreed that the region continues to face numerous security challenges, especially related to the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the situation in Republika Srpska, ie Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Referring that NATO remains committed to maintaining the security of the region, Admiral Manchi ultimately stressed that security challenges will be more easily overcome if the Alliance and the European Union participate together.