North Macedonia, US army hold joint military exercise

SKOPJE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonian Army and United States forces ended on Wednesday a six-day joint military exercise at Krivolak military base, east-center of North Macedonia, North Macedonia's General Staff spokesman Toni Janevski said in a press release.

North Macedonia's army took part in the exercise with two 120-mm mortar units providing fire support for the U.S. infantry unit.

"We are starting off with a more dynamic plan to use Krivolak base for exercises that mainly include target practices and aerial target practice using UH-40 helicopters," Janevski said.

Major Goran Shutevski, deputy commander of the 2nd Battalion of the North Macedonian Army's 1st Brigade said that "our units are trained to address all challenges"

Janevski said that the rest of the exercise is a solo drill of the U.S. allied forces, which will end on March 21.

"This joint exercise is a preparation for the upcoming large exercise in June alongside armies of NATO members, including U.S. forces, dubbed "Decisive Strike 2019," underlined Janevski.

North Macedonia is currently in the process of acceding to NATO as member state. Following Prespa Agreement with Greece in June 2018 to rename the country the "Republic of North Macedonia", the permanent representatives of 29 NATO member states signed North Macedonia's accession protocol to NATO on Feb. 6.