Macedonia ups Iraq force

NATO membership candidate Macedonia will almost double its 44-man force in Iraq soon.

Izvor: Reuters

Saturday, 03.11.2007.

21:01

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NATO membership candidate Macedonia will almost double its 44-man force in Iraq soon. Skopje's decision comes ahead of an expected invitation to join the alliance next year, officials said on Friday. Macedonia ups Iraq force "This decision adds to the already stated fact that Macedonia is becoming a more visible exporter of stability," Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said after announcing that the troop number would rise to 80. "We are glad that as a country aspiring to NATO membership, we can show that even as a candiate, we are ready to share the responsibility in solidarity with our NATO partners." The decision will come into force after it is approved by parliament, where the government enjoys a firm majority. To bolster its membership bid Macedonia has contributed soldiers to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, as well as to the European Union-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia. It is also keen to play down fears of instability, as the European Union has already spoken out against growing signs of tension between the authorities and the country's large ethnic Albanian minority. An EU source told Reuters this week that the European Commission would not recommend opening membership talks with Macedonia in its report next week

Macedonia ups Iraq force

"This decision adds to the already stated fact that Macedonia is becoming a more visible exporter of stability," Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said after announcing that the troop number would rise to 80.

"We are glad that as a country aspiring to NATO membership, we can show that even as a candiate, we are ready to share the responsibility in solidarity with our NATO partners."

The decision will come into force after it is approved by parliament, where the government enjoys a firm majority. To bolster its membership bid Macedonia has contributed soldiers to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan, as well as to the European Union-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia.

It is also keen to play down fears of instability, as the European Union has already spoken out against growing signs of tension between the authorities and the country's large ethnic Albanian minority.

An EU source told Reuters this week that the European Commission would not recommend opening membership talks with Macedonia in its report next week

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