Macedonia, Montenegro to intensify defense sector relations
Ministry delegation, led by Minister Zoran Konjanovski, pays on April 13, 2009 an official visit to Montenegro, upon an invitation of counterpart Boro Vucinic.
Konjanovski and Vucinic hold talks on enhancement of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the defense sector.
The Macedonian DM pays a visit to Montenegro Army airbase at military airport "Golubovci" and factory "Tara" in Mojkovac.
On Tuesday, Minister Konjanovski attended a reception of a ship from the U.S. Navy, hosted by Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
Cooperation between Macedonia and Montenegro is a model for the entire region. The two countries have only one open question, which is their faster EU and NATO accession, stressed countries' defense ministers Zoran Konjanovski and Boro Vucinic after Monday's meeting.
Konjanovski and Vucinic agreed the 2009 cooperation agenda aimed at intensifying relations in the defense sector, including the possibility of using countries' centers for army and medical personnel training.
"We obtained clear messages of support and continuation of reforms in Strasbourg and Cologne. I believe that Macedonia will overcome the problem with neighboring Greece and soon become full-fledged NATO member. It is our joint assessment that NATO and EU accession is in the interest of peace and stability of regional countries", stressed Montenegro DM Vucinic.
He added that the Montenegro Army would send its personnel for training and education at the Macedonian Military Academy this fall.
Macedonian DM Konjanovski referred to the successfully completed electoral process in both countries.
"The successful completion of the democratic and fair elections in Macedonia and Montenegro clearly demonstrates the political and democratic maturity of both countries, but sends a clear message to Europe and the world", said Konjanovski.
He reiterated that talks also focused on the possibilities of using countries' training centers for improvement of the army readiness.
"Macedonia will continue to fully support Montenegro in its efforts to become part of the Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial (SEDM) as soon as possible. Moreover, we will work together within the U.S.-Adriatic Charter on training of personnel and medical teams, which would be sent to Afghanistan", stressed Minister Konjanovski.
Minister of Defense Zoran Konjanovski said the meeting was successful and useful in terms of defining a Skopje-Podgorica cooperation plan in the field of defense for 2009.
The plan, he added, encompasses intensification of the cooperation especially considering trainings of Macedonia and Montenegro's troops for participation in peace missions, as well as Macedonia's position as defense leader in the region.
- I am sure that we will not only meet the plan entirely, but we will also do more than what has been envisaged. Both countries will resume being the leaders and mentors in the region. I belive Macedonia can contribute to Montenegro's NATO integration process, because it has completed the process through action membership plans, which will be also an invaluable experience for other Balkan aspirant countries, said Minister Konjanovski.
He also focused on the recent polls conducted in Macedonia and Montenegro. - Both countries confirmed their democratic and political credibility and sent a clear message that in the next four years they will be mainly focused on reforms and EU-NATO integration, Konjanovski stated, announcing that Montenegro would join Macedonia in the Afghan peacekeeping mission. It will be country's first international peace mission since joining the Partnership for Peace program in 2006.
DM Konjanovski in the frameworks of his Montenegrin visit, held talks Monday with President Filip Vujanovic. - At the meeting I took the opportunity to convey greetings from Macedonian President-elect Gjorge Ivanov and to assure him that the cooperation between Skopje and Podgorica will resume towards accelerated accession to NATO and EU, he said.
Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski completed the official visit to Montenegro by attending the reception of U.S. Navy frigate "Klakring" at the Bar port, hosted by Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
DM Konjanovski held informal meetings with Admiral Fitzgerald, as well Montenegrin state and military officials.
Konjanovski and Fitzgerald stressed the mutual satisfaction from the excellent cooperation between the Macedonian Defense Ministry and the Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Moreover, they reiterated the wish for further strengthening of Macedonia-U.S. and NATO relations.
Interview of Defense Minister Konjanovski with "Partner" monthly magazine of Montenegrin Defence Ministry and Army Skopje, April 19 (MIA) – The Republic of Macedonia is ready for fair compromise in name dispute with Greece however same will is needed from Greek side for removal of the final obstacle for country’s admission in NATO, Defence Minister Zoran Konjanovski said in the interview with monthly magazine "Partner" of Montenegrin Defence Ministry and Army, answering journalist question on Macedonia’s plans for surpassing this dispute due to which no invitation was issued at Bucharest Summit. - At the meetings with ministers from the region we congratulated Croatia and Albania on NATO membership. It is a success of the entire region and success of Macedonia as well. We are happy that two Balkan countries are new members of the Alliance. This opens the road to other countries in the region. We have started together the reform process through US-A3 Adriatic Charter, Konjanovski said. - Because of Greece that has certain problems with recognition of our constitutional name, we did not become full-fledged NATO member in Bucharest. But with dialogue in the following period we will find ways to surpass this issue. The Republic of Macedonia wants this problem to be resolved as soon as possible because we are aware of entire situation in the region, Konjanovski said expressing hope that Greece also has will for sooner resolving of this problem. He said that the issue will be resolved if it is understood that real but fair compromise should be made where there will be neither losers nor winners. For such compromise we are always ready for dialogue and talks, Konjanovski said. Referring to situation in the Army of the Republic of Macedonia and completed defence reforms, Konjanovski pointed out that Macedonian Army in the past 17 years was on the road to full NATO integration. - Army of the Republic of Macedonia today is built army which is recognisable not only in Macedonia but wider as a result of the achieved results in the international peacekeeping missions where it participates with its contingents and is sixth country by number of soldiers’ participation compared to the total number of soldiers in the army, Konjanovski said. Konjanovski also said that Army of the Republic of Macedonia today participates with more than 3% of its composition outside country’s borders. Macedonian soldiers in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina give its logistic support to KFOR on Kosovo and with one member of Army of the Republic of Macedonia in Lebanon symbolically support the UN agenda in Lebanon. - I’m proud as minister and here also other defence ministers and General Staff have contributed in building such recognisable army. We have started from zero 20 years ago when we became independent country, today we have developed structure which simply requires to be included in other missions because it surpasses what can be given here on the territory of the Republic of Macedonia, Konjanovski said. Konjanovski said that our country can serve as mentor to other countries that want to go on this road, to transfer its experience and lessons learnt aimed at helping them not to make our mistakes. He sees the possibility for cooperation between Macedonia and Montenegro in context to regional approach as most efficient for prompt movement of the region towards EU and NATO integration. - Macedonia and Montenegro as countries from the region must turn towards each other. We should help each other in cooperation and mutual initiatives before the institutions in EU and NATO. Our closeness gives as advantage and we should be wise to turn our differences in the Balkans into advantage in mutuality, Konjanovski said. He said that with reasonable regional politics the expenses can be cut and efficiency can be increased. Training centres in Macedonia can be placed at disposal to other countries in the region and the Republic of Macedonia or other countries in the region can use what Montenegro has. Read more on PIMS Members site