During his visit to North Macedonia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised on Monday the reforms Skopje's government implemented, especially in the security and intelligence areas, adding the Alliance appreciated those efforts, the Beta news agency reported.

He said that the deal with Greece which solved 27-year-long name dispute between Athens and Skopje unblocked North Macedonia Euro-Atlantic integration, but added the key reason for 29 NATO member states signed the protocol on joining NATO were the reforms carried out in the country.

“You have credible institutions which can work together with others within NATO. We are ready to welcome you in the NATO family,” Stoltenberg said.

North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said his country was in a final stage of preparation for the membership with a general consensus and strong political will.

Next move Skopje is anxiously waiting for is the green light for the accession talks with the European Union this or next month.