Norwegian Chief of Defence, Admiral Hanssen visits Macedonia

A delegation of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Norway headed by Defence Chief Admiral Haakon Bruun-Hanssen paid an official visit to Macedonia on Tuesday. Hanssen was welcome with all military formalities by the Chief of Staff of the Macedonian Army, General Vasko Gjurcinovski and the Deputy PM and Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska. At the meeting with Sekerinska, Hanssen said that Norway is ready to assist Macedonia in its integration in NATO. Sekerinska thanked Hanssen on behalf of the Macedonian government for the ratification of the NATO Protocol for Accession of Macedonia. Hanssen also pointed out the good cooperation between the armies of Norway and Macedonia, expressing hope that the same will be much improved once Macedonia becomes a full-fledged member-state of NATO. Later on Tuesday, Hanssen met the Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski, with whom he spoke about the cooperation between Macedonia and Norway so far. Pendarovski said that Macedonia supports all peace processes of NATO with its participations in missions in Afghanistan and other locations. Pendarovski also thanked Hanssen for the ratification of the NATO Protocol for Accession of Macedonia.