THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA AND NATO

The accession of the Republic of Macedonia to NATO remains a strategic priority of the foreign policy of our country. The integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures is our aspiration, but also follows as a logical consequence of the achieved progress, in which the country has invested more than a decade.
  
The Republic of Macedonia has had its commitment to the integration into Euro-Atlantic structures defined ever since 1993, when the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia unanimously adopted the Resolution on the Accession of the Republic of Macedonia to NATO and reaffirmed it again in 2007.
 
As a long-lasting partner, the Republic of Macedonia has proved itself as a reliable ally of the Alliance, ready to promote the shared democratic values and responsibilities. The Republic of Macedonia remains committed to its participation in the activities of the international community for the purpose of handling the threats and challenges to international peace and security. 

In the final Declaration of the NATO Summit in Bucharest (2-4 April, 2008), the dedication of the Republic of Macedonia to NATO’s values and operative activities, as well as the country’s progress in the overall reforming process were clearly acknowledged. Nevertheless, the invitation to the Republic of Macedonia for becoming a full fledged member of NATO was left out, with the explanation that it will be extended once a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue has been found.   
 
The Republic of Macedonia has fully implemented the plans and activities envisaged by the 9th cycle of the Membership Action Plan. The implementation of the 10th cycle of the Membership Action Plan and the fulfilment of the obligations presented in the 2008 – 2009 Annual National Program for NATO Membership of the Republic of Macedonia are in progress, while the constant support by the citizens in the Republic of Macedonia for the country’s full Euro-Atlantic integration, which was expressed by 85,2% of them in the last public opinion pole (The Democracy Institute – September, 2008), served as a foundation for the pursuing of these activities.  
 
Even after the NATO Summit in Bucharest, the Republic of Macedonia is committed to no other alternative than the process of integration into NATO and the EU. The integration into the family of free democracies is not a matter  of choice for the Republic of Macedonia, neither it stands as an imposed obligation, but is merely a matter of natural fusion of the goals and values to which the country is fully committed.