President of Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Army Dr. Gjorge Ivanov today received the Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Miroslav Stojanovski.

At the meeting which is part of the concluding consultative meetings of President Ivanov for selection of the new Army Chief of Staff, the interlocutors exchanged opinions on the current conditions in Macedonian Army, as well as the development and reform processes.

ARM’s mission and tasks, the contribution in the peacekeeping missions, as well as the future plans and goals of the Army were also topics of discussion. The conclusion was that ARM is devoted to the continuation of the transformation process with an accent on the increased interoperability with NATO and contribution to the joint operations. The President and the Army Chief of Staff shared the conclusion that Republic of Macedonia has fulfilled the required reforms and achieved the level required for full NATO membership, while the integration within the North-Atlantic Alliance remains top priority in the Macedonian foreign and security politics.

The consultations of the President of Republic of Macedonia for nomination of new Army Chief of Staff are in its final phase, and the decision will be announced on 18 august – the Day of the Army. Lieutenant General Miroslav Stojanovski will continue fulfilling his regular duties until 18 August when on a solemn ceremony the new Army Chief of Staff will be officially appointed. President Ivanov expressed hope that the nomination of the new Army Chief of Staff on the Day of the Army will represent a beginning of a new tradition which will apply for all future appointments of new Chiefs of Staff of the ARM.