The NATO summit in Chicago was a non-enlargement summit, thus it cannot be considered a failure. We are fully committed to the objective and the easiest strategy to get a NATO membership invitation is to have an intensive dialogue with Athens, Minister of Defense Fatmir Besimi says.

"We haven't let down our voters, because we worked hard on Macedonia's integration to NATO and we will continue working more intensely in the period to come. Firstly, our mandate is not over yet, elections are held every four years. Secondly, the NATO summit in NATO was a non-enlargement summit and it cannot be considered a failure. NATO and Euro-Atlantic integration is a process," minister Besimi says in Sunday's interview with Radio Free Europe (RFE).

He stresses that intensive efforts have been made in addressing the open issue standing in the way before an official invitation for NATO membership.

"Recently, we are dealing with a situation in which there is no consistent partner in solving this open issue. As a minister of defense, I do not have the right to express my own emotions, I'm responsible to complete what is expected of us, that is to wrap up the process of Euro-Atlantic integration. I will keep doing so," Besimi states.

All possible efforts have been made recently, according to him, and further attempts are going to be made to meet the final goal - NATO membership.

"We will be fully committed to meeting the goals in a manner reflecting the interests of the Republic of Macedonia i.e. the citizens to be satisfied with the result. I repeat this in order to avoid speculation following the NATO summit that Macedonia is seeking other alternatives. It sticks to what is best for Macedonia and the citizens," Besimi notes.

The easiest strategy to obtain a NATO membership invitation is to have an intensive dialogue with Athnes.

"Open, intensive dialogue with Greece on the matter is the easiest strategy in a bid to settle dilemmas, strengthen countries' trust and perceive the issue as an opportunity for solution. We'll knock on Greece's door first in order to ask for dialogue resumption, for which we will be certainly supported by NATO countries," DM Besimi tells RFE.