French Army Colonel Franck Faubladier, head of the Military Partnership Branch at JFC Naples, chaired a meeting between a delegation from JFC Naples and staff from the Armed Forces of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at its Ministry of Defence, Dec. 5, 2017. (Photos by photos by the MoD of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)
SKOPJE, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* — French Army Colonel Franck Faubladier, head of the Military Partnership Branch at Allied Joint Force Command Naples, chaired a meeting between a delegation from JFC Naples and staff from the Armed Forces of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at its Ministry of Defence, Dec. 5, 2017.
The meeting was in the framework of an annual military cooperation Expert Staff Meeting (ESM). It aimed to enhance NATO's understanding of the host nation’s military interests and partnership goals, while showcasing the various partnership opportunities available.
Discussions included a review of the cooperation program between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and NATO in 2017, the Armed Forces' topics of interest, JFC Naples MPB's role in facilitating this partnership and a presentation on worthwhile cooperation program activities and exercises available to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 2018 and 2019.
Faubladier stressed that ‘face-to-face’ meetings remain vital in maintaining the excellent relationship already cemented between NATO and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, particularly highlighting their willingness to host the Regional Exercise program in 2019. Faubladier also stated that the Mobile Training Teams and shared Operational Capabilities Concept perspectives remain fundamental in maintaining a strong partnership.
Organizers said these meetings enable the delegation of the Military Partnership Branch and its partners to openly discuss progress under various initiatives and to ensure that partners are correctly supported by NATO through JFC Naples.
After the meeting, Faubladier formally invited a delegation from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to attend the next meeting to be held in JFC Naples in August of next year.
*Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name
Story by JFC Naples J9