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TIRANA – “North Macedonia is now part of the NATO family, a family of 30 nations and almost 1 billion people. A family based on the certainty that, no matter what challenges we face, we are all stronger and safer together,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said in a statement as quoted by news agencies.
North Macedonia officially became the 30th member of the NATO military alliance on Friday. Its flag will be raised alongside those of the other 29 member countries at NATO headquarters in Brussels and two other commands simultaneously next Monday.
In face of the impact of the new coronavirus around the world, Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski said: “We cannot rejoice and mark the event as it should (be marked) … But, this is a historic success that after three decades of independence, finally confirms Macedonian security and guarantees our future. Congratulations to all of you! We deserve it!”
It marks the end of a long quest for the former Yugoslav republic. Joining NATO and the European Union has been a priority for its leaders, but a dispute with neighboring Greece over the country’s name stalled progress for more than two decades.
US State Secretary Mike Pompeo said the country’s membership “will support greater integration, democratic reform, trade, security, and stability across the region. North Macedonia’s accession also reaffirms to other aspirants that NATO’s door remains open to those countries willing and able to make the reforms necessary to meet NATO’s high standards, and to accept the responsibilities as well as benefits of membership.”
Analysts consider this week as milestone for North Macedonia because the membership in NATO was preceded by the decision made by the foreign ministers of the European Union on Thursday to give the green light to this Balkan country together with Albania to begin accession talks with the Union./argumentum.al
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