Macedonian Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi and his Swiss counterpart Ueli Maurer expressed satisfaction yesterday with the excellent bilateral relations, MoD said in a press release on Friday.

Referring to the bilateral cooperation in the spheres of defense and security, Besimi and Maurer addressed the ongoing reforms within MoD and Macedonian Army (ARM), the country's contribution to international peace missions and global security. They also tackled the security situation in Southeast Europe, activities for bolstering the regional cooperation and its significance for the SEE prosperity.

Today, Besimi visited the International Red Cross Headquarters and held talks with Barbara Hintermann, Head of ICRC Operations in Europe and North America, on the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the one in Syria.

Besimi also visited the Geneva Center for Security Policy and extended gratitude to its Director, Ambassador Fred Tanner, on the support of recent conference in Skopje of US-Adriatic Group Ministers of Defense.  

Furthermore, Besimi visited the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and met its Director, Ambassador Theodor Winkler.

"The meetings also tackled the modalities for advancing the cooperation, particularly in regard to training of members of MoD and ARM," the press release reads.