Macedonia - Policy
The Republic of Macedonia bases its security policy on its national values and consequent interests, compliance with the Constitution, the Laws and the Rule of Law, democracy and respect for human rights and freedoms. The security policy of the Republic of Macedonia aims to protect the territorial integrity and independence of the country, promote the state identity and development of a multiethnic society, and strive for full integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures. Successfully overcoming the large number of challenges it faced in the previous years, the Republic of Macedonia has demonstrated a capacity and a capability to attain the level of standards expected of a future NATO member and to serve as a model of democratic transformation to the countries in the region.
The Republic of Macedonia considers its internal security as being inseparable from the wider international framework. To accomplish its own national interests and strategic objectives, against the contemporary threats, the Republic of Macedonia relies on cooperation with other countries from the region, international organisations, and its allies and partners worldwide.
As the new millennium unfolds, the threat of inter-state conflicts is low. However in Europe there are new challenges and threats to peace and international stability. Within the Balkans, the legacy of a decade of hostilities, the unfinished process of reconciliation, ethnic and religious extremism and intolerance and remaining stockpiles of weapons could result in the realistic preconditions for confrontation.
The Republic of Macedonia is of the firm belief that isolated security systems, especially those of small and developing countries, are irrational and inefficient. Since its independence the Republic of Macedonia therefore focused on participating in collec¬tive security activities with the ultimate objective of becoming a NATO member. To the Republic of Macedonia, there was no alternative approach except to join NATO and the EU. This opinion had a wide political consensus robustly supported by the vast majority of the citizens.
The National Security and Defence Concept of the Republic of Macedonia, published in May 2003, remains as the basic guideline for the Re¬public of Macedonia secu¬rity and defence needs within the new strategic and security environment. Following the National Concept, the Govemment decided to conduct a full Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in order to provide a political Framework and more detailed guid¬ance for carrying out further defence reforms. The Strategic Defence Review was developed with strong interdepartmental coordination and consultations.
Stage 1 of the SDR which was adopted by the Government in October 2003, involved the construction of a policy framework that provides the foundation for the defence reform plans. Stage 2 of the SDR which was promulgated in March 2004 and approved by Reso¬lution of Parliament in May 2004, produced defence missions, functional analyses of the MOD, ARM and operational commands, as well as the future structure of the ARM. Stage 3 of the SDR involved the production of the Dynamic Plan for Transformation of the Armed Forces 2005-2007 to implement the new armed forces structure.
The Strategic Defence Review helped to better understand the current status of the defense system; define its role in the future and develop structures and capabilities that will transform the vision into reality. This process has confirmed that the future of Macedonia's defense lies in the development of small, mobile and efficient forces, capable of addressing the contemporary threats at home and acting shoulder to shoulder with NATO partners in missions abroad. Drawing on the Strategic Defense Review, the White Paper on Defense, published in October 2005, provides an immediate reflection of the defense policy31. In the framework of its security policy, the Republic of Macedonia continues to be fully committed to promoting regional cooperation, understanding, trust and building of neighborly relations, security and stability. Regional security cooperation, one of the pillars of defense transformation and NATO integration, is a fundamental element of the security policy of the Republic of Macedonia. This particularly includes cooperation under the auspices of the Adriatic Charter.
The security and defence policy of the Republic of Macedonia is focused on continuous development and maintenance of the national defence system with credible military capabilities, efficient management of the defence resources and processes, comprehensive preparations for integration into the political and military structure of the Alliance, development of military capabilities for contribution to the collective self-defence of the Alliance and continuous contribution to international peace and security support operations.
By the end of 2009 the Republic of Macedonia enacted the strategic documents – Defence Strategy, the Long Term Defence Development Plan 2009-2018 (LTDDP) and new Army Service Law, as well as new Defence Law during 2010. The Republic of Macedonia continuously engages great resources in development of ARM deployable capacities according NATO standards and recommendations, and in compliance with the plans, in 2010 the contribution to ISAF in Afghanistan will increase for around 50%. We continue with our participation in EU mission ALTHEA and with the preparations for participation in the EU Battle Group in 2012, as well as the UN mission in Lebanon UNIFIL.
The Republic of Macedonia will continue providing logistic support to the NATO operation in Kosovo – KFOR, by ensuring reception, staging and onward movement for the KFOR troops, medical services, fuel supply, escort, Customs Clearance, force protection and security of the main communication lines passing through Republic of Macedonia via the Host Nation Support Coordination Center (KFOR-HNSCC) and Hosting Air Surveillance Support.
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