The Government and the Union of employees in the defense and security came to an agreement today for the retirement of professional soldiers to be moved from 38 to 45 years of age, and for employment in the Army to be moved from 23 to 25 years of age.
The agreement was made during the meeting of the Minister of Defense, Fatmir Besimi, with representatives from this union. The NATO representative in Macedonia, Colonel Yordan Yordanov, who held a meeting today with the Minister of Defense, Fatmir Besimi, was informed about the changes in the Ministry of Defence. According to Yordanov, who is the Chief of the NATO Advisory Team in Skopje, the agreement gives benefits to both the Union and the Ministry of Defense.
It is foreseen that the Ministry of Defense prepare and submit to the Government a legislation regarding the status of the professional soldiers in the ARM, which should be voted in the Parliament after it goes through a Government session.
The changes that will follow are expected to finally overcome the problem that members of the Macedonian Army have been standing for, to increase the credibility of the Army and to improve the life standard of the members according to NATO standards. In addition to the increase of the age, several other programmes are also foreseen for the easier return to civilian life after finishing their soldier career.