BRUSSELS (ChatnewsTV) — The European Union on Wednesday approved a €13 million assistance package under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to bolster the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, aiming to enhance its capacity in international missions and EU security operations.
The Council of the European Union’s decision marks a significant step in strengthening North Macedonia’s role in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), as well as other global security missions. The aid package is intended to improve the country’s capabilities in key areas such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
“This assistance measure illustrates the deepening security and defense cooperation between the EU and North Macedonia,” the Council said in a statement, adding that it “reflects North Macedonia’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.”
The €13 million package will be directed towards non-lethal equipment, including communication systems, logistics, engineering equipment, and related training. The goal is to support North Macedonia’s integration into EU-led military operations and enhance its overall defense infrastructure.
The European Peace Facility, established in March 2021, is an EU initiative designed to prevent conflicts and strengthen global security by financing military and defense-related actions. This latest assistance measure further underscores the EU’s commitment to supporting third-party states in strengthening their military capacities, with a focus on peacekeeping and stability.
North Macedonia, a NATO member since 2020, has been working closely with the EU to align its security policies with the bloc’s broader goals of maintaining international peace and security. This move by the Council is seen as a reinforcement of the growing ties between the EU and North Macedonia in the realm of defense.
The Council’s statement emphasized that the EU will continue to provide technical training and equipment to North Macedonia, ensuring its preparedness for future CSDP missions.
