The President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, held the annual coordination meeting with the Macedonian Defense Attachés abroad. The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Dr. Fatmir Besimi, the military representative of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia in the NATO mission in Brussels, General Branko Drakalski and Macedonian defence attachés in the United States, Turkey, Britain, Germany, France, Austria, Greece and non-resident military envoy to Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

At the working meeting, President Ivanov was informed by the defence attachés about their activities in the countries they are accredited. President Ivanov gave guidelines for 2012 to the Macedonian defence attachés, as well as guidelines in anticipation of the upcoming summit of the North Atlantic Alliance in Chicago.

The President outlined his expectations from the military diplomacy, aimed at meeting the strategic objectives of the Republic of Macedonia, and urged for enhanced engagement, better organization and coordination in the coming year. President Ivanov, Minister Besimi and other participants attending the meeting concluded that further strengthening of the defence diplomatic network of the Republic of Macedonia is necessary.