UK To Help North Macedonia Deliver NATO-Ready Light Infantry Battalion

The UK is to support North Macedonia in the delivery of a light infantry battalion ready for NATO operations next year.

It comes as Britain has set up a permanent military training team in the country – NATO's newest ally – supporting the nation and other regional partners of the military alliance in meeting membership capability targets.

The Western Balkans Land Regional Coordination Cell will also enable the UK to better understand the training requirements of its defence partners in the region, according to the Government.

UK Ambassador Rachel Galloway and the country's defence minister, Radmila Shekerinska, signed an agreement in the capital, Skopje, on Monday.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: "The agreement signed today underlines the UK's commitment to enhancing co-operation with our partners in the Western Balkans and takes our defence relationship with our friends there to a new level.

"We look forward to working closer than ever to ensure security in this important region."

Cover image: A North Macedonian flag alongside other alliance flags outside NATO HQ in Brussels (Picture: NATO TV).