Macedonia received an encouraging message from Riga that it could receive an invitation for membership in NATO in year 2008 if it fulfills the necessary criteria and standards.

"We welcome the efforts of Albania, Croatia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to prepare for the responsibilities and obligations that come with membership. We commend their strengthened contribution to the international peace and security operations, as well as their joint efforts for advancement of regional cooperation. At our next summit in year 2008, the Alliance intends to extend additional invitations to those countries that fulfill the basic standards of NATO and that are capable of contributing to the Euro Atlantic security and stability." This is the 33 point in the closing declaration from the NATO Summit in Riga, which ended yesterday afternoon. As announced, the three countries from the Adriatic Group are mentioned in this declaration in alphabetical order. The declaration also stresses what each of these countries has done so far and what they still have to do.

"We welcome the successfully implemented parliamentary elections in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in year 2006, as well as the strong efforts for intensifying the political, economic, defense, and judicial reforms and the rule of the law, which must continue," states the message for Macedonia.