Северна Македонија
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More than 6,000 Macedonian soldiers trained by US army so far
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news/18...tary-ties.html
3 March 2015
Macedonia, US boost military ties
In an effort to hasten its accession to NATO, Macedonia plans to conduct joint military exercises with the United States.
The country is ready to become a full-fledged member of the military alliance, Defence Minister Zoran Jolevski said February 24th during his first meeting with Jess Baily, the new US ambassador to Macedonia.
Jolevski described defence reforms, the development of the Military Academy and efforts to improve the capacity of soldiers. He also noted Macedonia's contributions to NATO-led missions in Afghanistan.
"Macedonia and the United States are strategic partners with long experience in the field of co-operation," the Macedonian Defence Ministry told SETimes.
"I start my tenure with a great appreciation for the strong friendship between our two countries," Baily said. "We are partners and allies. Our soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan."
"For over 20 years, and through some difficult times, we have worked together and accomplished much in pursuit of shared goals, most particularly to build a Europe, whole, free and at peace, and with Macedonia fully integrated into NATO and the EU," he added.
The subject of joint training and its benefit to Macedonia's NATO accession arose at the end of January, when Jolevski met with General Walter Lee Miller at the United States Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida.
General Vasko Gurcinovski, the commander of the Macedonian Army's Special Operations Unit, joined the defence minister for the trip to the US military site.
Macedonia Army (ARM) units that would participate in NATO peacekeeping operations "in the Middle and Near East" already use the Krivolak army training centre, Jolevski said. The minister proposed using the military range for joint exercises by special units of the Macedonian and US armies.
Jolevski and Miller also discussed the possibility of having US special operations forces train Macedonian troops.
The partnership between the two countries "dates back to 1994, in all fields," said Colonel Mirce Gorgovski, the ARM spokesman.
"This partnership helped the Macedonian Army, not only in the strengthening of its capacities and the training for participation in NATO missions, but also in terms of structuring the army according to NATO standards," Gorgovski told SETimes.
"So far more than 6,000 members of the ARM have been trained in units or the schools of the US Army, a number that indicates the greatness and the relevance of the bilateral co-operation," he added.
Support from the US Army is not limited to training. Last year at the Ilinden Army Base near Skopje, Macedonian military police received nearly $1 million worth of equipment.
"Interoperability is one of the most important principles of adaptation of every army that strives to become closer to the military standards of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance," said Nano Ruzin, Macedonia's former ambassador to NATO.
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Originally Posted by Abeja
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