Brussels – The EU Council today made a decision to allocate 15 million euros in aid under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to strengthen the defense capacities and capabilities of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARM) and its operational readiness, reported the MIA correspondent from Brussels.

– Today we agreed to provide North Macedonia with additional EU support worth 15 million euros for its Army, said the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas, regarding the decision. 

She added that these funds will be used for the procurement of various equipment – from that intended for gathering intelligence and surveillance to that needed for combat training. 

– Our support will help North Macedonia contribute to regional stability and security, which is important not only for the Western Balkans but also for the EU, Kallas stated. 

According to her, with the support for the country aimed at preventing conflicts and strengthening regional stability, the Union shows that it “fully supports North Macedonia on its path to EU membership.” 

– I am looking forward to my first visit next month to further discuss our common agenda, Kallas added in the statement. 

As reported by the EU Council, with today’s and the bilateral support packages for 2023 and 2024, the total aid from the Union to the country under the European Peace Facility (EPF) has reached 38 million euros. 

– Today’s decision demonstrates the continued engagement with North Macedonia in the field of security and defense, including the signing of the Security and Defense Partnership between the EU and North Macedonia last November, and reflects the country’s full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, the statement noted. 

With the funds allocated today through the EPF, the Macedonian Army will be provided with equipment for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare, as well as utility and engineering vehicles, communication and information systems, and equipment for combat training, and if necessary, operational training for their use will also be organized.

– The new aid measure will also enhance North Macedonia’s potential to contribute to the operations and missions of the EU’s common security and defense policy and in all international coalitions, the statement adds. (April 25, 2025)