On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of NATO, the Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia (ATA Macedonia) organized one day event, entitled: NATO before the Warsaw Summit - Challenges and Perspectives for SEE.



The event took place on 04 April, 2016 (Monday) in the Army Hall in Skopje, Macedonia at 10:30 hour. The event gathered more than 100 participants consisted of high representatives from the MoD and Macedonian army, Ambassadors and their Deputies, military attaches, professors, partnering organizations of EACM, YATA Members, students and young professionals. More than 30 media representatives participated and reported about the event.


The press conference on the occasion of NATO's Day - 4th of April is an event which is traditionally celebrated each year on 4th of April and serves as an information activity to acquaint the public about the progress that the Republic of Macedonia makes in its way towards NATO membership. This event is a an effort of the Euro-Atlantic Council under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia with the valued support of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division.

The event’s invited speakers were Mr. Ismet Ramadani, the President of Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia, Mr. Zoran Jolevski, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. US Ambassador Jess Baily, H.E. Polish Ambassador Jacek Multanowski, H.E. Turkish  Ambassador Omur Solendil and Captain Rumen Radev, the Chief of the NATO Liaison office in Macedonia.



The first speaker of the event Mr. Ismet Ramadani, the President of Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia emphasized the importance of the adherence of the Euro-Atlantic values as the only way Macedonia to receive full-fledged membership. He briefly addressed the current political and refugee crisis, as well as the contemporary security threats that affect the Region and urged for cooperation and dialogue as instruments that can counter these challenges. He also stressed the integration of the Republic of Macedonia in Euro-Atlantic structures will undoubtedly contribute to a more stable security situation in the Balkans. In this regard, in the wake of the Warsaw Summit, he reiterated the values that NATO and member countries stand for and the further commitment and dedication of the Euro-Atlantic Council in supporting the Euro-Atlantic integrations.



The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Zoran Jolevski, underlined the efforts that Macedonia makes towards NATO membership as the main strategic interest of the Republic of Macedonia. He pointed that NATO membership is seen as an essential prerequisite for increasing security and stability, which will positively affect the business climate, economic growth and the well-being of the citizens. At the end, he emphasized that Macedonia will stay committed in implementing the reforms as a necessity for Euro-Atlantic integration.



Ambassador Jess Baily underscored the importance of NATO as a core of security. He noted that the way forward includes three segments that Macedonia should devote itself to in order to achieve NATO membership. According to him, these segments include: resolving the name dispute and reaching consensus with Greece, modernization of the armed forces and military capabilities and the implementation of the required reforms.



The Polish Ambassador Jacek Multanowski accentuated that Poland has always been an advocate for open-door policy and NATO enlargement policy and that Poland fully supports Macedonia in its efforts for receiving full-fledged membership. He also highlighted the importance of the partnerships in order to enhance the security and the resilience of the societies.  



The Turkish Ambassador Omur Solendil referred to the threats of terrorism and refugee crisis and praised NATO efforts for contributing positively not just security-wise but also humanitarily-wise. And in the wake of the Warsaw Summit he reiterated that Turkey strongly supports Macedonia in the integration process for greater stability of the Region.

The Chief of the NATO Liaison office in Macedonia, captain Rumen Radev cited NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the balance and adaptation measures that every country aspirant for membership should conduct. Supporting NATO partnership policy, he stated that NATO’s outreach with partners should include three areas: cooperation, reform and education.