A total of 112 former professional soldiers of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) signed Monday employment contracts at the Army House in attendance of Caretaker Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev and Defence Minister Zoran Jolevski.

Dimitriev congratulating the former professional soldiers on signed contracts for employment in state institutions said that government will continue to work with commitment on new measures and projects and practicing open door policy and closeness with the citizens of Macedonia.

Being introduced with your excellent work habits and readiness and commitment demonstrated both in the country and aboard in peacekeeping missions, I am convinced that you will adjust easily to new jobs, Dimitriev said.

We have solved many of the problems and also we have closed many open issues by constant meetings, common work and commitment aimed at improving the conditions in the ARM, he underlined.

Jolevski expressed hope that the skills acquired during serving in the army as professional soldiers, will be used by other state institutions best possible way and in the future possibly the private sector.

Former professional soldier Robert Janev expressed his gratitude to Defence Ministry and the Government for finding ways to resolve 6-year-long problem and to employ them in the institutions of the system. 

The government adopted decision and action plan which envisages employment of 112 former members of the professional composition of ARM in line with the Law on Military Service in the ARM. In accordance to the government's decision, employees will be former professional soldiers, whose contract of service in the Army ended by reaching the age limit of 35 or 38 years.

The individuals were unemployed, and based on the Law on Military Service in the ARM, applied for employment by the end of January 2016.