Turkish donation worth US$2 million has been handed over Tuesday at the Ministry of Defence.

The donation, which is of high quality and compatible with NATO standards, consists of new military uniforms and 5.000 winter and summer boots are intended to the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM).

Defence Minister Zoran Jolevski said that the equipment will be distributed in the ARM units and will significantly contribute to supply services equipping and ARM modernisation.

Jolevski also said that donation is another confirmation of traditional friendship and excellent cooperation with Turkey as respectable NATO member gives support to the Republic of Macedonia on road to Alliance’s full-fledged membership.

Since 1996 more than 700 members of ARM and Defence Ministry have privilege to be educated and trained at prestigious military training centres in Turkey, Jolevski said adding that established friendship between two countries is an example for entire region and wider.

Turkish Ambassador to Macedonia Omur Solendil said that relations in defence sphere are one of the most advanced in the frames of bilateral relations between the two countries. Twenty-eight agreements on military-financial aid were signed until present day and the cooperation is focused on training and providing logistical support to ARM. Assistance in trainings is being conducted in the frames of the signed agreement on military training and cooperation in 1994.

The Republic of Turkey believes that Macedonia located in the heart of the Balkans is a key country for the peace and prosperity of the region, strongly supports territorial integrity and political unity and strengthens the support towards Macedonia’s membership in the Euro-Atlantic structures, Solendil said.