NATO congratulated North Macedonia on its Independence Day, marking 35 years since the September 8, 1991 referendum on independence.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during his visit to Skopje in March, praised North Macedonia’s contribution to Euro-Atlantic security, including troops serving with NATO forces in Bulgaria and Latvia and its participation in the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. He also welcomed the country’s defense spending, which exceeded 2% of GDP in 2025.
North Macedonia became NATO’s 30th member on March 27, 2020, and its flag was raised at NATO headquarters and allied commands three days later.