Zaev at NATO Summit of heads of states and governments: Our first participation at the NATO Summit gives our contribution to the strategic decisions and to the future of the Alliance

The President of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Radmila Shekjerinska and the Foreign Minister, Bujar Osmani, led the Government delegation at this year’s NATO Summit 2021 of NATO leaders in Brussels. 

Prime Minister Zaev will take participation in the work of the North Atlantic Council of NATO where the member-states’ leaders will discuss the most important issues for the future of the Alliance. 

Below you will find PM’s Zaev statement issued before the plenary session of NAC: 
 
“It is truly great to be here, I am honoured. 

This is a historic moment for my country: this is a first NATO Summit for North Macedonia as its full-fledged member. Also, this is the first NATO Summit with 30 member-states. This is a great success for both North Macedonia and for NATO. 

The NATO membership was a realization of our strategic objective; moreover, the Alliance, with our membership, enhanced the security and the stability of the Western Balkan region. 
We are committed to the vision for Balkan of the 21st century as a region of peace, stability and increased regional cooperation for economic benefits and prosperity of all citizens. 

We strongly believe that it is necessary for all Western Balkan countries to have crystal clear Euro-Atlantic and EU perspective. Leaving vacuum in part of Europe is not an option. We need foreseeable, credible and reinforced integration processes for EU and NATO. 

Today we are here to reaffirm our unity, cohesion and solidarity. We will also look into the future challenges and we will jointly adopt decisions on strategic level for future adaptation to NATO. 

We share the same values; we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies and we are strongly committed to our collective security: because we are NATO. Together we are stronger.”