Roundtables on Euro-Atlantic integration are of exceptional significance for a democratic society, since they focus on topics that are important for the country, academic community and citizens, said Defense Minister Zoran Jolevski at Tuesday's debate "Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic Challenges: Problems, Political Reality, Future Solutions and Opportunities after NATO's UK Summit 2014".

"The Defense Ministry and the Macedonian Army General Staff have a strategy over the continuation of reforms so that Macedonia meets NATO membership invitation criteria", said Jolevski.

He announced Macedonia would continue to take part in new Afghanistan mission "Resolute Support", whereas peacekeepers scheduled for deployment are already conducting preparations.

"This is a proof that Macedonia deserves to be a part of the Euro-Atlantic family, and the country is, de facto, a NATO member because of our contribution to the largest mission, ISAF", said Jolevski.

Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said the event represented a good opportunity for exchange of opinions on Macedonia's achievements on the path to NATO, what remains to be done, as well as the Alliance's commitments.

"Republic of Macedonia is a proven partner, it has acted as a NATO member-state for a long time. Such conferences are significant in highlighting the fundamental values of the alliance, including the observance of international law, which is in Macedonia's interest, but also in the Alliance's interest to respect these principles", said Poposki.

Srgjan Kerim, former president of the UN General Assembly and Foreign Minister, said debates on Euro-Atlantic integration should be more frequent, since Macedonia has no other alternative.

"I am not a pessimist, although the country has been stopped in its NATO and EU accession process over the past six years. We are standing in front of a red signal on both paths. Macedonia needs to employ active foreign policy and affirm its interests, urging for the creation of an environment towards overcoming the obstacle related to the name. Greece has managed to impose the issue in both institutions since 2008. We should overcome this situation through complex operations, active diplomatic activity, but primarily through dialogue and agreement with Greece. This is not simple, but the end justifies the means, and the goal is Macedonia's NATO and EU accession, which I am sure will become a reality", underlined Kerim.