North Macedonia has been formally added to NATO’s Air Policing system following a ceremony in Skopje on 9 December.
The entry of North Macedonia to the system was launched with a ceremony involving the intercept of a Macedonian Learjet by Hellenic Air Force F-16s. The fighters escorted the Macedonian craft to Skopje Airport and ensured a safe landing.
“NATO Air Policing is a vital part of collective defence, which serves as a backbone for the Alliance,” said General De La Cruz, Commander of NATOs’ Combined Air Operations Centre in Spain.
He added,” the aircraft you see here today is just an example of those that remain vigilant across the Alliance 24/7 to maintain the security of our airspace. I hope that North Macedonia feels the support of all Allied nations now that it has been officially integrated into this collective mission.
North Macedonia formally joined NATO on 27 March 2020. The instrument for accession, otherwise known as the North Atlantic Treaty, was formally deposited with the US State Department. It had joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace in 1955, the Membership Action Plan in 2018, and following the Prespa Agreement, it began accession talks later that year.
