NATO is a common objective of Macedonia and Albania, and these two countries, together with Croatia, expect to receive an invitation for membership at the summit in year 2008, Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha said in Skopje on Friday. They expect strong support for membership in NATO from US President George Bush, who will visit Tirana next week.

"Membership in NATO and receiving an invitation at the summit in Bucharest in year 2008 are objectives that encourage us to work and persevere on our path," Basha said.

The Macedonian foreign minister said that the two countries are prepared to fulfill all necessary conditions for membership in NATO and that they expect to hear a good message from Bush in Tirana. They are also prepared to convey a good message to him.