Macedonia will be next to join NATO, says former commander

Macedonia will be next to join NATO, says former commander

According to him, this would represent "the next step towards unification and strengthening of the Balkans."

US Vice President Mike Pence, on behalf of President Donald Tramp, earlier this month also reiterated his country's support for Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration in a phone conversation with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

"Mike Pence said that the United States continues to support Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and encouraged Zaev to continue with priority reforms that will speed Macedonia's path in that direction," the White House announced at the time.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, after the election of the new government in Skopje, urged it to implement necessary reforms, including those regarding the rule of law, in order to accelerate the path to Euro-Atlantic integration.

"As Skopje progresses, NATO will continue to offer its support, through its office in the capital," Stoltenberg said.