The official opening ceremony of the Advanced Research Workshop: ‘’Sustained Emergency Relief- Regionally Developed Capacities’’ took place on 29 June 2012 at Hotel ‘’Drim’’ in Struga, Macedonia.

The scientific workshop, which gathers more than 40 officials and experts from the military and civil sector, was opened by the President of the Euro- Atlantic Council of Macedonia, Mr. Lazar Elenovski, who emphasized the importance of developing regional capacities towards better cooperation in crisis management. The opening ceremony continued with the addressing of the Deputy Minister of Defence in the Republic of Albania and President of the Atlantic Council of Albania, Mr. Arian Starova, who focused on the idea of regional gathering towards preparation for future crisis situations and effective approach in managing them.

Col. Ljube Dukoski, State Advisor for Defence Policy and Planning delivered the speech on behalf of the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Fatmir Besimi. On the behalf of the Secretary General for Planning in the Operation Division at NATO,Ambassador Francesca Tardioli, Mr. Evert G.J. Somer delivered the speech, Project Officer for the Cooperation Programmes of NATO Civil Emergency Planning.

After the speeches all of the participants proceeded to the group photo.