The Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) marked its 20-year jubilee on Saturday with a parade held at the Skopje-based Ilinden military barracks.

Echelons of all ARM units, combat devices, air-crafts included in the ARM formation as well an echelon of the US Armed Forces were presented in the parade, which was attended by top state officials, led by President Gjorge Ivanov, PM Nikola Gruevski, Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski, Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi and Chief of the ARM General Staff Goranco Koteski.  Ministers, former defense ministers and chiefs of staff, current and retired generals, ambassadors and military attachés were also in attendance.

Several events were held in the past couple of days to mark the milestone.

On the occasion of the ARM Day and the 20th anniversary, flowers were laid Saturday at the monument of Macedonian soldiers in Skopje by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and representatives of several associations of veterans.

ARM's progress, training and education was launched in 1992 when the former Yugoslav National Army (YNA) took 'everything', the entire armament and ammunition, from the then third army area while retreating from the country.

On 23 December 1993, the Parliament verified the decision on full-fledged NATO membership as a strategic objective. In November 1995, Macedonia became the 27th member of the Partnership for Peace initiative and joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council the next year. ARM in 2002 launched a process of reforms, which is expected to result in an invitation to join NATO that has been postponed due to blockades by Greece.

The level of combat readiness of ARM servicemen is demonstrated by being engaged in international peace missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Hercegovina and by participating in the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG).