The current security situation in the region and beyond, the migrant crisis, Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration bid and relations between Macedonia and the Czech Republic, in particular those between the ministries of defense, were discussed Wednesday by the countries’ ministers of defense, Zoran Jolevski and Martin Stropnicky, in a meeting in Skopje.

Jolevski and Stropnicky signed a plan on cooperation between the two ministries. In addition to activities aimed to further strengthen cooperation, the document also envisages scholarships to be awarded to Czech students to study at the Gen. Mihailo Apostolski Military Academy and to be trained to become pilots.

At the meeting, DM Jolevski said Macedonia had met all the necessary conditions in order to be given a NATO membership invitation. According to him, NATO accession for Macedonia was crucial not only for the stability of the country, but also for the entire region.

“The government, as well as the MoD and the Macedonian Army, will continue to implement reforms, because reforms are being pursued first and foremost a strong army to be built – a guarantee of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia,” Jolevski said after meeting with his Czech counterpart.

Macedonia, Stropnicky said, is a close and vital partner of the Czech Republic.

“Macedonia is in the midst of a quite complicated situation regarding the migrant crisis and given the circumstances, it is playing a pretty important role. We won’t leave the country behind in the process. If the situation is deteriorated, which cannot be ruled out in the future, we are prepared to help the country regarding procurements and also involving human resources if necessary,” stated Stropnicky.

Asked whether Macedonia could be hit by a new migrant wave, since a motion had been filed to Parliament calling the crisis situation to be extended to 30 June 2017, Minister Jolevski said that developments were being followed carefully and the state of the migrant crisis was being adequately evaluated.

“The country has developed scenarios, which will be realized depending on the course of the migrant crisis,” the Macedonian Minister said.

Czech Minister Stropnicky is also set to be received by President Gjorge Ivanov.