According to him, one of the summit’s key messages was the importance of a common approach in the field of security and defense for all member countries, a position that, as he said, is gaining increasing weight.

Misajlovski stated that Macedonia has been praised by many countries, which have assessed it as a country that, although small compared to others, makes a considerable contribution within the framework of the Alliance’s processes.

“It is very important that the message we have from all European countries is that we have a common security and defense policy and that we should belong there is very important, it is an excellent message that we should share together and we are doing this, and for this reason if within NATO we are a family on the same level, this should also apply to the European Union,” said Misajlovski, adding that some countries have welcomed our country as a state that, although small, is making its contribution.

He also stressed that the president, who led our country’s delegation, received an excellent welcome and represented the state with dignity.

The minister announced that the summit also discussed increasing the share of GDP for defense. He underlined that our country already allocates around four percent of GDP to defense and related costs, describing this as an important contribution toward the Alliance’s common goal of reaching five percent by 2035.

In the end, Misajlovski described the summit as a good meeting that conveyed a strong message of solidarity, while saying that current global developments, the influence of China, and the events in Ukraine and Iran were also addressed there.

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Speaking about the modernization process, Misajlovski said that, in line with the budget and the planning that has been done, all obligations are being fulfilled. He stressed that even though this creates serious pressure on the defense budget, there are no delays in the arrival of equipment.

According to him, both the procurement of equipment and personnel development are progressing at an intensive pace.

The minister said that the budget is now above 2 percent and that, as was heard yesterday from NATO leaders, the country is above 4 percent in total. He described this as very important news, both for the institution he leads and for the state, because, according to him, investments are being made in all capacities.

Misajlovski also touched on the 16 agreements signed with the United States, with a total value of 339 million U.S. dollars. He explained that part of this amount is covered by North Macedonia’s budget, while the other part comes as support from the United States.

He also mentioned the European Union’s assistance through the European Peace Facility, with a total value of more than 40 million euros. This concerns equipment divided into three shipments, with the first having arrived in full, while the equipment from the second shipment is currently on the way.

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