Assistance measure to support the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia

OBJECTIVES AND CHALLENGES

The objectives of the assistance measure are the following:

• to contribute to enhancing the capabilities and capacities of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, in order to enhance national and regional security, stability and resilience in the defence sector, in line with the Union’s overall policy on North Macedonia;
• to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, increase compliance with Union standards, improve interoperability, and thereby better protect the civilian population in crises and emergencies;
• to strengthen the capacities of North Macedonia with respect to its participation in the Union’s common security and defence policy missions and operations, and in Union battlegroups.

To achieve these objectives, the assistance measure finance technologies related to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and signal intelligence; their maintenance and the related training.

Presentation of the project

On 21 March 2022, the Union approved the Strategic Compass, with the objective of becoming a stronger and more capable security provider, including through the increased use of the EPF in support of partners’ military and defence capabilities.

In the Brussels Declaration of 13 December 2023, the leaders of the Union and its Member States, in consultation with the Western Balkans leaders, called for the Union to continue to work together with the region to further develop its defence capabilities and capacities, including through the EPF.

On 2 July 2024, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy received a request from North Macedonia for the Union to enhance the equipment of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, with a focus on its Light Infantry Battalion Group.