An equipment worth $850,000, donated by the US for the Macedonian Army (ARM) which is set to be intended mainly for NATO, EU and UN-led peacekeeping missions, was presented Tuesday in a Skopje-based military barracks.

Defense Minister Zoran Jolevski, who attended the hand-over ceremony alongside Barton Putney, US Deputy Chief of Mission, said the donation aimed at boosting the capacities of ARM’s military police.

“The donation is part of a wide and comprehensive cooperation in the spirit of the Macedonian-American strategic partnership. Our cooperation in the field of defense with the United States includes an array of activities, from strategic analyzes and estimations, to expert assistance through education, trainings, assistance in military equipment to joint participation in peace operations,” Jolevski said announcing the possibility on the opening a non-lethal weapons training center.

In a bid to be successful in peacekeeping missions, he added, adequate military skills, preparedness, joint trainings and support in an operational area are necessary. In this context, American donations worth $120 million since Macedonia’s declaration of independence until today have greatly contributed to ARM’s development in an attempt to become a contributor to regional and global peace and security, Jolevski stated.

“The Republic of Macedonia by developing its capacities and capabilities and through its long-term contribution to peace operations is reaffirming its readiness to take over all the tasks and responsibilities stemming from future NATO and EU membership,” said Minister Jolevski.

Macedonia on its path to NATO and EU integration, he noted, is assuming a responsibility to develop an array of military capacities and capabilities to take part in NATO, EU and UN-led peacekeeping operations.

Today’s donation is an example and confirmation of the excellent cooperation and coordination between MoD and ARM with the US embassy in relation to defense, said Deputy Chief of Mission Putney adding that five Macedonian soldiers were already paying a study visit to the United States in order in the future to be able to train ARM servicemen how to use the equipment.