Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Poposki met Tuesday with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), Admiral James Stavridis in the course of his two-day visit to Macedonia.

Minister Poposki and Admiral Stavridis exchanged views on Macedonia's cooperation with NATO, the implementation of the NATO Membership Action Plan, country's participation in NATO-led international peace missions and on activities aiming at regional cooperation.

Poposki emphasised that NATO membership remained one of the top priorities of Macedonia's foreign policy, MoFA said in a press release.

The FM reaffirmed Macedonia's commitment to deploy its troops to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.

Thanking for the Macedonian significant contribution to NATO, Admiral Stavridis said NATO highly appreciated country's determination to assist the Alliance in addressing global and modern security challenges. Moreover, he praised the performances of Macedonian troops taking part in complex military actions in Afghanistan.

Interlocutors also discussed issues that are expected to be tackled at the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago, such as the concept of "smart defense", crisis management, dealing with modern security challenges and other topics in compliance with the new NATO strategic concept.

FM Poposki pointed out Macedonia's concrete contribution to the "smart defense" concept together with its partners of the Adriatic Charter, which has been demonstrated through regional cooperation and joint engagement in the opening of a military police school in Afghanistan, stated the press release.