Honorable President of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia,
Esteemed Ministers,
Distinguished Chief of Staff of the Army of Republic of Macedonia,
Respected Members of the Army of Republic of Macedonia,
Dear Excellencies,
Dear Media Representatives,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a true honor for me to attend the opening of the Pilot Training Centre for the needs of the Army and of other state institutions in the Republic of Macedonia. A Center that will provide continuous training of pilot candidates and pilots. Pilots for the domestic needs of the institutions responsible for defense, security and crisis management in line with the challenges faced. An advancement training Centre for current and future pilots, guardians of the Macedonian sky.

I constantly reiterate that we need to build Macedonia in height. Pilots to be trained in this Center will literally bring Macedonia in height.

The Republic of Macedonia has the will and capacity and equipment. As President and Supreme Commander, I am proud that the Republic of Macedonia gets a modern training center with the most sophisticated equipment in Southeast Europe and beyond. Especially the two flight simulators for helicopters Mi-17 and Mi-24, which, by the quality and features offered, are the world's top products for this purpose.

This confirms the commitment of the state leadership to continuously invest in modernization and education of the members of the Macedonian Army and other security structures. I expect this cooperation to continue. I expect the this year the start of the implementation of the long-term defense development plan, adopted last year by the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Many of us, in our childhood dreamt of becoming pilots, but only few remained persistent in their dreams. From now on, the most tenacious, quality and committed will be able to realize their dreams here, in the Republic of Macedonia, in the Pilot Training Center, an institutions that has already shown first results. Soon, the first Macedonian pilots trained in the Republic of Macedonia will be promoted, according to the top modules and most sophisticated equipment offered by this Center. Meanwhile, the competition for new candidates for pilots is underway. I am confident that, with the new approach in the selection, the best out of the best will be chosen.

Pilots trained as of today are expected most professionally to defend the sovereignty of the Macedonian sky, to maintain peace and order in the state and to protect and save the Macedonian citizens against the natural challenges.

Esteemed Excellencies,

Investing in its own security, the Republic of Macedonia invests also in the security of the NATO alliance and its Euro-Atlantic future. The capacities of the Center have already been presented to the NATO Air Defense Committee in Brussels. I believe our partners and allies will recognize the excellent opportunities we offer in accordance with their needs. I believe this Center will become a regional Pilot Training Center to be used by NATO as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

People look to the sky with hope and certainty. Hope for the future and certainty in the present. Pilots trained in this Center will provide security for the time we live in.

Thank you.