NATO makes commitment to stay in Balkans

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said Thursday in his address in the Macedonian Parliament that NATO would not leave the Balkans, and Balkans were moving closer to NATO, the MIA news agency reported.

Just two months ago, NATO admitted seven new members in its largest enlargement move ever, including some southeast European countries, said Scheffer, noting that although no new invitations were expected at the Istanbul Summit next month, the door to NATO would remain open.

"I expect that the NATO summit will give a clear sign of encouragement to your country. Macedonia has gone through many daunting challenges in recent years, and you can be proud of what you have achieved and I am proud that NATO has contributed to your success," he said.

"The implementation of reforms is an ongoing process, but this is not a thing that begins on Monday, and ends on Sunday," he said, adding that the Macedonian government, with the acquiring of full-fledged membership as its ultimate objective, could count on NATO's assistance.

Scheffer arrived at Macedonia on Thursday for a two-day visit in the framework of a Balkan tour before the NATO summit, due in Turkey next month. He has met with Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and other officials after his arrival.