Getting a clear insight of the transformation process in accordance with the new force structure, as well a the plans and activities of the management in line with the further improvement of the effectiveness and professionalism of the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia was the main goal of today’s visit of the Minister of Defence, Fatmir Besimi, on the Joint Operational Command in the Boro Menkov Barracks in Kumanovo.

“The initiative ‘Formation and Standard’ includes overseeing the implementation of the new formation in accordance with the NATO standards and monitoring of the standards of the ARM members.  This initiative shall take part in several cities and structures of the army of the Republic of Macedonia”, stated Minister Besimi.

“The Joint Operational Command and its subordinate units are in the phase of intensive transformation and parallel with this, as a top priority, we are working on the main assignments involving the JOC members”, underlined the Commander of the Joint Operational Command, Brigadier General, Metodija Velichkovski. Moreover, General Velichkovski underlined that in the forthcoming period the JOC is planning to conduct a demonstration exercise with the JOC artillery, preparation of the new rotation for Afghanistan, and preparation of the units for participation in the international exercise, to be held in May, as the greatest military exercise ever held in the Republic of Macedonia. According to the General, there is a possibility for organizing an OCC evaluators course, evaluation of the declared units such as the Battalion Battle Group (BBG) and the Medium Infantry Company (MICoy) for the EU BG, and the preparation of the new rotation for the mission to Afghanistan.

In the course of his visit, Minister Besimi had the opportunity of meeting many soldiers and officer and talking to them, so as to help him identify the problems and issues related to their standard, and inform them about the planned activities related to the jubilee “20 years ARM”.

On the question of the journalists related to the project directly influencing the standard of the ARM members, “The ARM – My True Home”, Minister Besimi underlined that the completion of the two phases related to the project, the change of the urban plans and the organization and coordination with the banks was followed by the announcement of the Competition which ended two days ago. “The goal of this project remains the same – to solve the housing issue of the ARM members, in the financially most supportive way by the Ministry, with respect to the budget funds. We see this project as a living process which constantly needs to be remodeled and redesigned in accordance with the realistic requirements and opportunities”, underlined Minister Besimi, who added that the interest for Skopje is the greatest due to economic reasons, i.e. the difference between the market offer and the project offer is most evident.