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Brussels – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mutsunski, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, today in Brussels signed a Partnership Agreement for Security and Defense between the Republic of North Macedonia and the European Union.
The partnership agreement between the country and the EU will contribute to strengthening resilience and enabling joint responses to security challenges, such as hybrid threats, enhancing cyber security, combating terrorism, and the external aspects of integrated border management, implementing missions and operations, and more effective cooperation in other areas of security and defense. The partnership also represents a significant step in deepening practical cooperation between the country and the European Union.
– The partnership establishes a platform for enhanced dialogue and cooperation on security and defense issues, reflecting the determination of both parties to work together to address common security challenges in an increasingly complex global environment, announced the European External Action Service.
The announcement states that the ongoing unprovoked and unjustified aggressive war of Russia against Ukraine highlights the critical importance of unity and close cooperation of the EU and with its closest partners.
– North Macedonia is a candidate for membership in the European Union and an important and respected partner of the EU in the field of security and defense. As such, it is also an active third country participant in the common security and defense policy of the EU, added the statement.
According to EEAS, the signing of the Security and Defense Partnership Agreement will benefit the citizens of both the EU and the country by promoting peace, stability, and security.
– The areas of cooperation within the Security and Defense Partnership will be regularly revised to monitor progress and ensure that the Partnership remains solid and best addresses emerging challenges, EEAS pointed out.
The announcement also recalls the EU’s decision from September 2024 to provide support of 13 million euros within the European Peace Facility for the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, which is recognized as an important milestone in joint security and defense cooperation.
This, along with the Union’s decision in March 2023 to strengthen the capacity of the country’s armed forces by improving and upgrading the equipment of its light infantry battalion, according to EEAS, reflects the EU’s appreciation for North Macedonia’s full alignment with the Union’s common foreign and security policy, which is its very clear strategic choice for a future in the bloc.
– The EU and North Macedonia stand united in their determination to deepen cooperation in addressing urgent security and defense issues and to explore new avenues for joint action. This partnership represents a significant step forward in their mutual commitment to a safer and more resilient Europe, the statement said.
Before the signing of the Agreement, at a press conference following the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Council, Borrell emphasized that this document is proof that the EU is more than just an economic union, but also a political union with responsibilities in all aspects of political life, including security and defense.
– Without security, nothing can be done. Therefore, we must work hard to ensure that Europeans will enjoy safety. It is a very rare situation in the world today, as we live in a much less secure world than five years ago, Borrell stressed.
North Macedonia is the first country in the Western Balkans region to establish such a partnership with the EU. In the upcoming period, the EU is expected to sign such an agreement with Albania, after previously concluding similar agreements with Japan, South Korea, Canada, Norway, and Moldova, as instruments that further confirm the Union’s commitment to strengthening the European security architecture. (November 19)