The Ministry of Defense is striving to abide by the standards on the inclusion of women in all aspects of the defense. Consequently, Macedonia has adopted a national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 and additional documents on its practical application have been also passed.

This was stated by Defense Minister Talat Xhaferi at Friday's meeting with Mari Skare, Special Representative of the NATO Secretary General for Women, Peace and Security.

A committee on gender perspective and gender equality has been founded as part of the Ministry of Defense with a responsibility to organise and coordinate activities on the resolution's implementation, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with UN Women, the minister said.

The NATO Special Representative said that the Alliance and Macedonia shared a common goal in relation to the implementation of gender equality.

Xhaferi and Skare concurred that the participation of women in international peace missions was of great significance.