According to a statement recently made by Hellenic National Defense General Staff, “on Thursday, December 9, 2021, in the context of the full integration of the Republic of Northern Macedonia into NATO, the takeover ceremony of its Airspace by the Alliance took place at Skopje International Airport including a low passage by Greek F-16s.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defense Mr. Radmila Sekerinska as well as MPs and Government Officials of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, the Ambassador of Greece Mr. Roussos Koundouros, the US Ambassador to Skopje Mr. Kategos Epios Byron Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski, the Commander of the Tactical Air Force Lieutenant General (I) Themistoklis Bourolias and the Commander of Combined Air Operations Center Torrejon Lieutenant General Fernando De La Cruz Caravaca.

During the event, a low passage was made over the city and the Skopje Airport of a NATO E-3A (AWACS) Aircraft and 2 Greek F-16s, while a virtual interception simulation scenario was implemented in a civilian aircraft participating. The event was completed with static exposure of all aircraft.

It is noted that until the assumption of this responsibility by NATO, the Air Policing of the FIR Skopje had been undertaken by Greece, following the conclusion of a Technical Settlement Agreement of the two countries signed in September 2019.” concludes the statement of Hellenic National Defense General Staff.

GEOPOLITIKI.COM With information from geetha.mil.gr