Macedonia, Albania, and Croatia expect a message from NATO's summit in Riga this fall that they would receive an invitation for membership in NATO as soon as possible. This message was conveyed by these three countries' foreign ministers and defense ministers at yesterday's meeting on Brioni, Croatia.

"Macedonia expects a loud, clear, and unambiguous message for membership from the summit in Riga. A message that will guide us on the path toward an invitation for membership in the next round of expansion of NATO, not later than year 2008. This is not for our good only; it is beneficial for the whole region and for NATO", Macedonian Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva said.