Cooperation is excellent in the defense field, as is collaboration on regional issues and ones related to Euro-Atlantic integration, agreed Friday Macedonian and Albanian Defense Ministers, Fatmir Besimi and Arben Imami respectively.

Minister Imami, who pays an official visit to Macedonia, confirmed Albania's support to Macedonia's NATO accession.

"The sooner Macedonia and other regional countries join NATO and EU, the better for the peace, security, stability and development of the area. Macedonia's integration in NATO is also in the best interest of Albania", said Imami after the meeting.

However, he expressed hope that the "technical and political problem" between Macedonia and Greece would be solved as soon as possible, resulting in the country's full-fledged NATO and EU membership.

Imami and Besimi agreed there is room for cooperation in other issues, especially in the promotion of projects within NATO's "smart defense" concept over the rational use of defense resources. In this regard, Minister Besimi referred to the joint use of army field Krivolak and the Regional Communications Center.

Furthermore, Minister Imami announced the possibility of establishing a joint group within the Adriatic Charter (A5) or other initiatives, which would focus on emergency interventions in cases of natural disasters or terror threats.

Minister Imami will also meet Vice Premier for Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement Musa Xhaferi and  members of the Parliament's Defense and Security Committee.