Relations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¹

The road to accession

The Allies are committed to keeping NATO's door open to Western Balkan partners that wish to join the Alliance, share its values and are willing and able to assume the responsibilities and obligations of membership. Euro-Atlantic integration is seen as the best way to ensure long-term, self-sustaining security and stability in the region.

At the April 2008 Bucharest Summit, Allies agreed that an invitation to join the Alliance would be extended to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the issue over its name has been reached with Greece. This agreement has been consistently reiterated at subsequent Summits.

At the July 2018 Brussels Summit, Allied leaders welcomed the historic agreement between Athens and Skopje on the solution of the name issue. In line with NATO policy, they decided to invite the government in Skopje to begin accession talks to join the Alliance.

Full implementation of all prescribed internal procedures with respect to the agreement on the solution of the name issue is a condition for a successful conclusion of the accession process.

The Allies continue to encourage and support the continuation of reform efforts within the country, particularly with a view to ensuring effective democratic dialogue, media freedom, judicial independence and a fully functioning multi-ethnic society.

Key areas of cooperation

The country's cooperation with NATO is mutually beneficial and includes:

Building capabilities and interoperability

• An important focus of cooperation is to develop the ability of the country's forces to work together with forces from NATO countries and other partners, especially in peacekeeping and crisis-management operations. Participation in joint planning, training and military exercises is essential in this regard.
• Participation in the PfP Planning and Review Process since 1999 has also helped develop interoperability, as well as providing planning targets that are key to security reform and transformation objectives for the country's armed forces.
• In 2005, the country joined the Operational Capabilities Concept, a mechanism through which units available for operations can be evaluated and better integrated with NATO forces to increase operational effectiveness.
• Participation in the Defence Education Enhancement Programme is helping improve education and training, which is essential for the country's defence reform efforts.
• Through participation in the Building Integrity Programme, the country is working to strengthen good governance in the defence and security sector, and reduce risks of corruption by strengthening transparency and accountability.
• In 2013, the country's Public Affairs Regional Centre in Skopje was recognised as a Partnership Training and Education Centre, opening its activities to Allies and partners.

Support for NATO-led operations

• The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia deployed troops in support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan from 2002 to end 2014. The country is currently supporting the follow-on Resolute Support mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces.
• The country was a key partner in supporting NATO-led stabilisation operations in Kosovo in 1999, as NATO forces deployed to the country to halt the spread of the conflict as well as to provide logistical support to the Kosovo Force (KFOR). The Allies also provided humanitarian assistance to help the country deal with the flood of refugees from Kosovo. The country continues to provide valuable host nation support to KFOR troops transiting its territory.

Wider cooperation

• The country supports implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
• The country is strengthening its national civil preparedness and resilience with the support of NATO. Practical cooperation with the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) is also enhancing crisis management capabilities and interoperability.
• The country has been actively engaged with the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme since 1998. Recent activities have focused in particular on cyber defence and counter-terrorism, defence against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents, and environmental security.
• National government and local non-governmental organisations seek to provide public information on NATO and its relations with the country, with the support of NATO, its Liaison Office, as well as individual Allies and partner countries.