The President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, on the first day of the new year visited the members of the Army at the “Jane Sandanski” barracks in Stip, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff of the Army, Major General Sasko Lafciski.
During the visit, President Siljanovska-Davkova congratulated the members of the Army on the New Year’s holidays, toured the tactical and technical warehouse where the equipment and weapons of the 2nd Infantry Battalion were exhibited, and was informed about the situation in the unit, its mission and the tasks it fulfills.
“Of course, this is impressive military equipment. As we have already heard from the Chief of Staff, but also from the authorities, it is about keeping up with the most modern trends. That is logical when we are talking about a NATO army. Of course, my last question was how much does it cost. I always think that 2% is a large sum. I always think about those 2% in other areas and I wish that there would be no need to use these weapons, I wish that for the sake of those behind me and those in front of me and for the sake of the Chief od Staff. I wish for a world in which, a 2025 in which peace will be the main option, and we will not think about armaments. Of course, I understand the need, but also, that is why I asked whether it is from donations or are we allocating from the budget. What is most important is not actually the weapons, but I think again about the people behind me and the people in front of me. Of course, in preparing for this event, I read everything about the 2nd Infantry Battalion. I know that it passed the evaluation in 2022. I know that this year is the most important before the new evaluation in 2026, but from regular contacts with the Chief, with the generals, it is clear to me that the preparations are ongoing, that they are in shape, that they are up to date with modern warfare doctrines, but allow me, as someone who never dreamed that would witness the presentation of such modern weapons, to say that I have always been for peace, I have always given priority to peace and I think that it is much more humane, that it is much wiser to always act preventively, and when war comes, it is already a defeat for those who should not have led to it. 2025 is the year when we will celebrate 80 years of the United Nations. The United Nations was founded as a basically peaceful concept and then everyone swore that we would never allow war again. But we are facing war. And the European Community, today the European Union, was founded as a peaceful concept. Its founders, Schuman, Adenauer, De Gasperi, Monnet, said then that such an organization would ensure lasting peace. What worries me most today is that European countries are at war. Ukraine and Russia are European countries. I hope that 2025 will be the year in which the place where problems are to be solved – New York, the United Nations – will really be used. Of course, I have said many times and will repeat that our peace and security depend to a large extent on our armed forces. It is nice to know that you are standing at the head of an army that is respected, compatible with the others, although it is small. It is the greatest guarantor of our peace, but not only of our peace. You have already heard that one of these vehicles, I have seen them during the fires, are also used in peacekeeping missions, and that is why I said exactly that in my speech in which I congratulated everyone on the New Year – that all this can also be used for peacekeeping purposes. I hope that next year will be a year of peace processes and that once we say never again, we should respect that”, President Siljanovska-Davkova said.
