Lessons from the past have been teaching us that the periods of economic crises present an opportunity for sparking new ideas, which will enable us to exploit the defense resources in more rational, efficient and effective manner, Defence Minister Fatmir Besimi said Tuesday at 29th International Workshop on Global Security in Rome.

Addressing the panel on global financial crisis, illegal immigration and cyber-security - lessons from the Balkans and Black Sea region, Besimi said the countries of the region were considering how the new NATO 'smart defense' concept could be applied on the regional level.  

In this respect, Besimi mentioned the initiatives for development of regional centers in Macedonia, such as the military poligon 'Krivolak', which also hosts the Regional Training Communications Centre (RTCC) and the Military Medical Centre (MMC). He also referred to the Balkan initiative for anti-aircraft defense, as the first step towards developing regional capacities for air space patrol.

The regional cooperation has been also demonstrated by the Balkan countries joint participation in the international peace missions, particularly in the Afghan one - ISAF, Besimi said.

Speaking about Macedonia, Besimi presented the achievements of transforming the national army (ARM).

The Workshop in Rome, being held under the patronage of the Italian Defense Minister, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, brought together participants representing more than 30 countries from Europe, North and South America, and Asia, including defense ministers, chiefs of defense general staff, other senior officials, as well as political and military representatives to NATO, the EU, the UN, and representatives from industry.  

The event was organized by the Centre for Defense Innovation of the Italian Defense General Staff (Centro Innovazione Difesa- CID) and the Italian Military Center for Strategic Studies (Centro Militare di Studi Strategici - CeMiSS).