About This Partnership

Vermont established its state partnership partnership with the Republic of North Macedonia on July 14, 1993. Their partnership has included more than 350 military-to-military activities, including collaborative events in Europe and the United States, as well as a shared deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, marking the first time a National Guard unit deployed and served with a state partner. The Vermont National Guard supported their partnership through military assistance and training to help North Macedonia meet NATO standards, leading up to North Macedonia's entry into the alliance in 2020. Vermont and North Macedonia announced in 2021 that they would expand their partnership to include civic and economic opportunities for cooperation.

Recent North Macedonia Partnership News
(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jason Alvarez)

March 30, 2020

North Macedonia joins NATO as its 30th member

COLCHESTER, Vermont — North Macedonia officially completed its accession into NATO as its 30th ally March 27, following the ratification of the alliance’s accession protocol by all 29 member nations and the conclusion of formal ceremonies at the U.S. Department of State. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed North Macedonia into the “NATO family” at a formal flag-raising event held in Brussels.

Feb. 21, 2020

Vermont Soldiers to support North Macedonia natural disaster training

CAMP JOHNSON, Vermont — Vermont Soldiers leave for North Macedonia Feb. 22 to assist in developing two potential natural disaster scenarios, with their focus on planning and logistical issues faced in a real-world crisis.

Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, chief, National Guard Bureau, third from left, meets with the three-member presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina during a visit to the Western Balkan country, the Presidency Building, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jan. 23, 2019. The country is paired with the Maryland National Guard in the State Partnership Program.

Jan. 30, 2019

Lengyel: National Guard committed to 'long game' with SPP

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — The National Guard takes a long-term view of its partnerships with more than one-third of the world’s countries, Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel said during visits to three countries in the Western Balkans this week.

The official logo of the Vermont National Guard.

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