Macedonia has been contributing on long-term basis to the security and overall development of Afghanistan within ISAF and will participate in the transition of the responsibility for the country's security to its people, Defense Minister Talat Xhaferi said Friday in Brussels.

"We remain consistent to the NATO motto, 'in together – out together'. After 2014 we (Macedonia) will continue to contribute towards achieving the common goal – a safe, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan," Xhaferi said at meeting of the Ministers of Defense of NATO and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partner nations.

The 50 members of the ISAF coalition, the Defense Minister of Afghanistan, and representatives from the United Nations and the European Union were briefed by new ISAF Commander General Joseph Dunford on the progress made since the transition to Afghan security responsibility began two years ago.

At the event's sidelines, Xhaferi held bilateral meetings with his colleagues, including outgoing US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and the Commander of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release.

Currently 158 Macedonian peacekeepers are part of NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Thus far over 2.100 Macedonian Army (ARM) members have contributed to the ISAF mission.