PROGRAM OF GOVERNMENT 2017-2020 The Government will offer a precise plan for resolving the professional soldiers’ status. Under present legislation, professional soldiers are employed by the Ministry of Defense until they reach 45 years of age. The Government, in cooperation with other state bodies, will provide for their future and needs by redeploying them in other state bodies, public enterprises, public body, local self-government units and the City of Skopje, funds, agencies, bureaus and other legally founded subjects. Employment will be direct, secured without publishing job announcements, on a position that suits their professional skills and qualifications. The Government will promote a new concept of small and efficient reserve structure – active reserve. This will be an additional option in resolving the professional soldiers’ status after they reach the age of 45. One of our first tasks will be to revise the Long-Term Defense Development Plan 2014-2025, as principal document in implementation of reforms. We will revise the strategic documents for defense sector reforms according to NATO standards and current challenges and needs. We will revise MoD and ARM’s Strategy for global communication and information systems development and proceed with modernization of the optic telecommunication infrastructure, the document management system, the logistic information system, the planning, programming and budgeting system, the computer-based training system and other projects. We will revise the existing Divesting Plan of inessential MoD and ARM facilities. The process will be based on coordination of MoD resources with all civilian bodies involved in divesting inessential facilities – state bodies, institutions and local self-government bodies. Under the ARM Modernization and Equipment Project, the Government will invest in the purchase of new helicopters and continued maintenance of existing airplanes, noncombatant motor vehicles, armored cars used by missions abroad and the tactical communication and information system for medium-range infantry battalions deployed in missions abroad. Professional preparation and training of ARM members – participants in international military missions will remain a top priority, especially concerning their social, health and security wellbeing. The new housing concept for ARM and MoD personnel will set up and define ARM’s new housing policy. We envisage a fully sustainable approach that will satisfy the needs and interests of all ARM operatives both in terms of assisting them in meeting their professional duties and obligations, but also in helping them overcome their housing challenges. 17