A welcoming ceremony for the 149 Macedonian Army (ARM) troops, who served in Afghan ISAF mission was held in Stip-based army barracks "Jane Sandanski" on Thursday.

At the ceremony, Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi stressed that the professionalism and high-level training of the ARM members was demonstrated in each and every occasion.

"You received the highest marks for carrying out the set tasks. For us it remains to devotedly continue on the road to providing peace and stability not just in the Republic of Macedonia, but at global level as well," Besimi said.

In that context the Chief of ARM General Staff, Major General Gorancho Koteski, praised all members of the contingent, stressing that during this risky mission, they showed their knowledge, gained skills and courage. The contingent commander, Captain Zoran Sumracki, said that he was proud of the successful respond of ARM troops to the attack on the Main ISAF Command.

In the twentieth rotation 149 members participated from the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, together with the most senior national representative and two staff officers deployed in the Main ISAF Command. The unit, which prior to deployment, went through intensive preparations, carried out its peace task in the given zone of responsibility in the capital city of Afghanistan in the composition of the group for support of the Main ISAF Command.