What NATO does with its standards, the European Union should do with the Copenhagen criteria, Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova said in a statement to the media at the Krivolak army field where she attended the Distinguished Visitors Day of the Flash 26 military exercise.
“The very name of this exercise speaks volumes, Flash 26. It turned out that this exercise is not called this by chance, from what we witnessed. We proved once again with the presentation, but also with the highest marks for the light infantry unit, that NATO has high standards for expertise, competence, readiness and dedication. Our light infantry team fully met them. But it does not exist on its own. I already mentioned in my speech that the successful inspection shows that the leadership of the army, the Ministry of Defense, the holders of the highest army functions, but most of all the soldiers, are most deserving of our full compatibility with the armies within NATO,” said the Macedonian commander-in-chief.
According to the head of state, the standards should apply in all possible institutions, including the European Union.
“European standards, high-profile armies. European standards in the EU, respected Copenhagen criteria and, of course, equal peoples and states in moving forward. After all, we need to align, to be standard in governing the law, in the separation of powers, in human freedoms and rights, meaning in all the necessary assumptions for the European functioning of institutions. Now, the key EU documents require respect for national and cultural identities, respect for dignity and integrity. I repeat, I ask for compatibility with standards. After all, it is no coincidence that within NATO we have a high profile, although we are a small country. I wish, if we are subject to standards that apply to everyone, to also prove our compatibility with European political systems and with the standards of the European Union, said President Siljanovska-Davkova.
