Macedonian Defense Minister said on Monday that Macedonia will continue to participate in the U.S.-led mission in Iraq, news reaching here from Skopje reported.
Lazar Elenoviski made the pledge after meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs in the U.S. State Department and ex-ambassador to Macedonia, Lawrence Butler.
"Macedonia will continue its participation in the U.S.-led Freedom for Iraq operation," MIA, Macedonia's official news agency, quoted him as saying.
Butler highly praised the professional conduct of the Macedonian troops serving in Iraq, assuring Macedonia of the U.S. support for the country's NATO aspiration.
Macedonia has been longing to join NATO for years. In 2003, Macedonia joined Albania and Croatia and signed the Adriatic Treaty with the United States in a bid to facilitate their entry into the alliance.
Macedonia has been sending troops to Iraq since 2003. It now has one platoon of 40 soldiers stationed in Iraq.
The country has also contributed troops to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and the EU-led mission in Bosnia.
Source: Xinhua
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