NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the parliament of North Macedonia, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, religious community leaders, and the diplomatic corps, emphasizing that the security of the Western Balkans is a cornerstone for the transatlantic alliance.
“Regardless of where you are from, we stand together with you and remain defenders of the peace and security of our nations. North Macedonia benefits from this every day; aircraft from Greece and Italy patrol your skies to keep you safe. This sends a clear signal that no one is alone in NATO—your friends and allies are always with you,” Rutte stated.
He warned of ongoing threats from Russia, highlighting its cooperation with China, North Korea, and Iran, and their impact on global stability. “Iran has been an exporter of chaos. The risk it poses is wide-ranging. Allies must recognize that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, and special attention must be paid to this,” he added.
Rutte also stressed the critical importance of NATO funding, calling it decisive for the defense of all member states. “Only together can we stand on the side of democracy and security. As parliamentarians, I trust in your support and your advocacy for the importance of defense investments,” he concluded.
