Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki took part Wednesday in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers with non-NATO ISAF contributing nations in Brussels. Ministers at the meeting discussed further activities and NATO's role in Afghanistan after 2014. It has been decided Macedonia to resume its military participation in ISAF after 2014 as part of the training program for Afghan security forces.

"A meeting of NATO and non-NATO ISAF contributing nations was held. The focus was on the perspectives until 2014 and beyond. Macedonia is one of the largest per capita contributors to ISAF operations remaining in Afghanistan as part of the security forces training program together with our partners from the region within the Adriatic Charter. Macedonia formally remains committed to providing support to Afghanistan after 2014," Poposki said after the meeting.

Considering the fact that today's ministerial NATO meeting was held exactly one year since the International Court of Justice in the Hague reached a ruling that Greece had breached the Macedonia-Greece interim accord by blocking Macedonia's accession to NATO in 2008, Poposki also referred to this legal victory for Macedonia.

"Even though NATO enlargement was not discussed at the meeting, I have to mention that the ICJ judgement delivered a strong legal argument despite establishing a moral and real conclusion that Macedonia deserves to join NATO. It is an argument for all 28 NATO members to demonstrate commitment to respecting international law and common interests," the FM noted.

On the sidelines of Wednesday's meeting, Minister Poposki held bilateral talks with several counterparts from neighbouring countries to discuss Macedonia's commitment to the ISAF mission and the enlargement process.