Speech

Thank you so much Mr Speaker,

And good afternoon, Your Excellencies,

Senior members of the Civil Society of North Macedonia,

Indeed, members of the Government.

Good to see the Defence Minister and other members of the government sitting here.

It's very special for me to be here.

And thank you for that introduction, and also thank you all for your very warm welcome.

It is an honour for me to address the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, the Sobranie.

I first visited Skopje when I was Prime Minister of the Netherlands. That was back in 2021.

And it feels like home, including a lively democracy. It's great that you have that. It shows that the democracy is really functioning here. And indeed, people like you are part of that. It's great that you make your views known.

And then and now, I felt the optimism and I felt the hope as North Macedonia, as a new NATO member, was building a better future.

And I can see first-hand now the great contributions that North Macedonia is making to our shared security.

Your troops serve in NATO's Forward Land Forces in Bulgaria and Latvia, helping to deter aggression and defend Allied territory.

And in neighbouring Kosovo, your forces are part of the NATO-led peacekeeping mission, KFOR.

You have become an "exporter" of security!

KFOR is important for all of us.

It has contributed significantly to regional security and long-term stability in the Western Balkans.

NATO's commitment to KFOR remains firm.

From the 1990s to this day, the Alliance supports peace and stability right across the region.

That commitment will continue.

The challenge for all of us who care deeply about the Western Balkans is to ensure that peace prospers.

Because we know there are those in the region, and beyond, who want to turn back the clock.

And pick apart the progress that has been made.

We must keep the troubles of the past, firmly in the past.

Divisive rhetoric is reckless and dangerous.

It is the enemy of progress.

We can never allow peace to be jeopardised.

Despite the range of security challenges we face,

the security of the Western Balkans remains a priority for NATO.

We will continue to work together as Allies - and here I particularly value the perspective that you and other Allies in the region provide.

As well as with our international partners, like the European Union.

Because in the end, we all share an unwavering commitment to this region.

I want to express special thanks to the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, for her insights and experience.

They are invaluable to me and to the Alliance as we address the security challenges in this region and well beyond.

As you all know, Radmila was a member of this Assembly and served North Macedonia in government.

She was an excellent choice to join NATO's leadership team.

And I can say that with confidence - because it was my decision to hire her! And I am very proud of that.

So, you know at least that I am well prepared in coming here today. But I can also say that wherever you are from in this great transatlantic Alliance, we all stand together.

And together, we continue to safeguard the peace and security of our nations.

North Macedonia benefits from this every day.

For example, jets from Greece and Italy patrol your skies to keep you safe.

This sends a clear signal - no one stands alone in NATO.

Your friends and Allies are always with you.

As we face a more dangerous and volatile world.

Russia continues to threaten our security and wage its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia has teamed up with China, North Korea, and Iran, and together they have been expanding their militaries and their ability to apply pressure on us.

Global competition is intensifying, and Allies face the persistent threat of terrorism.

Iran has been an exporter of chaos.

The danger it poses is far reaching.

Allies have been clear that Iran cannot possess a nuclear weapon, and cannot continue with its missile programme.

In a more volatile world, it is essential to invest more in our security.

And NATO will always ensure the security of all Allies.

And defend against any threat, from any direction.

I welcome that North Macedonia and other Allies are indeed spending more on defence.

And it is important we live up to our commitments on defence spending.

This is essential as we head towards the NATO Summit in Ankara later this year in July.

Where we will be laser focussed on delivering on what we agreed last year in The Hague.

To invest more in defence, to ramp up defence industrial production, and to continue our support for Ukraine.

All of us spending more on defence makes all of us more secure.

I expect Allies at the Summit to show they are on a clear and credible path towards spending 5% of GDP on defence by 2035.

That includes 3.5% to fund core defence.

And 1.5% on defence- and security-related investments.

And let me add that doesn't mean that in 2035 we make the Big Bang. No, it means a credible path in the years to come. And I know North Macedonia is designing that.

I know from my own time in national politics, there can be of course difficult debates when it comes to deciding budgets.

There are indeed tough choices that have to be made.

In this parliament, you all represent different political parties.

And hold, no doubt, opposing political views on many issues. But together there is always common ground.

Freedom and democracy.

And that must be protected.

We have a duty to defend our nations, our people and our way of life.

As parliamentarians, I count on you to support and make the case for more defence investment.

Not only here but also with the general public.

And I will help wherever I can, I can assure you.

Because without credible deterrence and defence, our open societies are at risk. And then something which happened here could not happen any longer in the future. And that will be a shame.

It is important that people can demonstrate, that we have free press, that we have free elections, like we have in NATO.

But we know how to mitigate it. And that's what NATO is working to do every day.

As Allies invest more, we also need to increase defence production. So that the capabilities we need are available when we need them.

And that is why we are working to rapidly expand production. And to increase transatlantic defence cooperation and innovation.

We can do this best again when we work together.

From basic ammunition, to complex weapons systems.

So that our armed forces have what they need to keep us safe, and so that we can continue to support Ukraine.

Ukraine must get all the help it needs.

To hold the front lines and defend against Russian strikes against cities and civilians.

NATO Allies have provided unprecedented support to Ukraine.

Our command in Germany, NSATU, is working around the clock to deliver support and training.

And I want to thank North Macedonia for providing military, political and humanitarian aid.

Including your contribution to NATO's PURL initiative.

Which is getting crucial American military firepower into Ukraine.

And this support is saving lives.

Day in, day out.

And I call on all Allies to dig deeper and provide as much help as they can.

Because there is no time to waste.

President Trump has been clear he wants the war to end. President Putin is dragging his feet.

We need to keep up the pressure on Russia.

When the fighting eventually stops, the peace has to hold.

With strong Ukrainian armed forces to deter and defend against Russian aggression.

And with security guarantees from Ukraine's friends and partners in Europe, Canada and yes, the United States.

It is clear: Ukraine's security is our security.

And let us not forget that stability and success in this part of Europe - the Western Balkans - is essential for NATO.

Security in this region is a shared responsibility.

And I will continue to count on North Macedonia to lead by example.

Cooperation and commitment are how we succeed.

And in NATO we will always strive together.

For peace, progress and prosperity.

Thank you.