14 Feb 2005

Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia1 at NATO News 11/2/2005 - NATO Visit to NATO by the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), Mr. Vlado Buckovski Opinions Joint press point with NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) Multimedia High resolution photos Audio file of the joint press point (MP3/5405kb) Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski visited NATO on 14 February to discuss the progress his country is making towards Alliance membership with the NATO Secretary General. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) is one of three members of NATO’s Membership Action Plan (MAP), designed to assist aspiring partner countries in meeting NATO standards and preparing for possible future membership. The Prime Minister and the Secretary General took stock of the progress made by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) in the MAP, as well as the defence reform process in the country. Taking stock of progress “The signals and the signs are green as far as the progress Macedonia is making in the Membership Action Plan,” Mr. De Hoop Scheffer told reporters after the meeting. The Secretary General said however that the upcoming NATO Summit, to be held on 22 February in Brussels, would not be an enlargement Summit. Mr. De Hoop Scheffer and Prime Minister Buckovski also discussed the upcoming elections in the country, and its participation in NATO-led peacekeeping operations. This was the first visit by Mr. Buckovski at NATO in since his appointment as Prime Minister. He previously visited NATO as Defence Minister. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.