Euro-Atlantic integration as Macedonia's strategic objective, participation in peacekeeping missions, reforms towards meeting Alliance standards and an increasingly stable region for economic development is the message that Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi has conveyed recently to his counterparts from Turkey, Canada, Norway, Great Britain etc, as well as conferences in Brussels, Munich, United States.

He is set to do the same with the Danish and Italian defense ministers in the coming couple of weeks, to Adriatic Group colleagues during conference "Mutual Challenges and Allied Solutions", held in Skopje on March 28-29, as well as during the visit to the South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) Command in Larissa, Greece.

Referring to the importance of defense diplomacy in lobbying for Macedonia's full-fledged NATO membership, Besimi told Thursday's briefing that tomorrow's meeting with his Danish counterpart was of enormous importance not only for the defense sector, but for the country in general, taking into account Denmark is currently holding the EU Presidency, as well as its donation worth EUR 320,000 for Krivolak training field.

According to him, Italy's interest for the Euro-Atlantic integration of regional countries is also of enormous significance.

Asked about expectations from the NATO summit in Chicago and the possibility of Macedonia joining the Alliance under interim reference FYROM, Minister Besimi stressed the option was open if Greece agreed, adding the solution would not represent a concession for both sides regarding the name positions.

He said Macedonia would not like for a Bucharest repeat, although Chicago is not the final objective, because the country would continue to implement reforms in its own interest.

"This is a marathon, we need to be in good shape and run to the finish. People need to know that we will not give up on NATO membership as the country's strategic goal for a better future", underlined DM Besimi.