MACEDONIA: Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic Initiative Anticipates Macedonia to Join NATO as Soon as Possible

Our constitutional name is the Republic of Macedonia, our national objective is NATO membership, our foreign affairs principles are regional cooperation and neighbourly ties with all our neighbours, Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Milososki told a joint press conference in Riga following the Adriatic-Baltic-Atlantic meeting.

He reiterated that Macedonia had met all the required criteria to become NATO member, saying he was assured that conditions would be created in near future for Macedonia to join NATO in a dignified manner.

Latvian Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins told the media that meeting's participants voiced their wish Macedonia to be admitted to NATO as soon as possible.
He noted that the elections in Macedonia and its ongoing reforms were fundamental in bringing Macedonian closer to NATO and EU.

The Baltic countries are supporting the principles of open door policy. Therefore, artificial obstacles shouldn't be used for integration into international organisations, stated Riekstins.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vygaudas Ushackas underlined that as long as West Balkan countries, Ukraine and Georgia were not admitted to NATO, the Euro-Atlantic institutions would not be complete.

The Foreign Minister of Albania Lulzim Basha said that Macedonia had met all the necessary criteria for Alliance membership, adding the new climate in Southeastern Europe was a result of the closer cooperation between countries in the region.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Stuart Jones at the joint press conference welcomed the accession of Croatia and Albania to NATO, expressing hope that "other countries will join the Alliance in due time."
I expect Macedonia to join NATO with a consensus as soon as possible, stressed Jones.

The Macedonian FM later in the day will leave Riga for an official visit to Estonia.

Source: www.vlada.mk