The lack of political dialogue in Macedonia damages the country's image in a key year for membership in NATO and start of the negotiations for membership in the EU, Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer concluded in Brussels yesterday. They dedicated most of their meeting precisely to the political disagreements in the country.

"The communication between the Government and the opposition is of great importance, among other things, because of the country's image. The process that leads to NATO and the EU is very important, which is why all parties and the Parliament must function normally," Scheffer said.

According to diplomats, Scheffer said at the meeting with Crvenkovski that NATO is not tired of enlargement, but that the work has not been completed either, which is why there is no guarantee that Macedonia would be invited to become a member.

This was Branko Crvenkovski's first visit to the NATO headquarters in Brussels and his first meeting with the NATO secretary general since he was elected president. The lack of cooperation between the Macedonian political parties in the Government and the opposition was the dominant issue at the meeting.