What could Macedonia contribute to the alliance? I know there are a few hundred in Afghanistan but I mean on a larger scale?
Macedonia Asks to Join NATO Despite Greek Opposition
Article continued @ Defense NewsMacedonia Asks to Join NATO Despite Greek Opposition
Feb. 18, 2012 - 12:50PM | By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
SKOPJE — Macedonia on Feb. 18 urged NATO leaders to accept it as a member when the alliance holds a summit in Chicago in May, despite Greek opposition due to a long-running row over its name.
Athens says the use of the name Macedonia suggests a territorial claim to the northern Greek province of the same name. Skopje says that changing the name would be a denial of its national identity and language.
No flamewar please. Civil discussions only.
What could Macedonia contribute to the alliance? I know there are a few hundred in Afghanistan but I mean on a larger scale?
I think it would be more a case of what NATO can contribute to Macedonia. In order to join Macedonia needs to have no territorial disputes, neatly taking away the Greek objection.
Last edited by tercio67; 02-19-2012 at 02:17 PM.
And there lies the problem, you have the few contributing much to the alliance however there are others who contribute very little but want all the perks being in the club, what good is an alliance if everyone doesn't do their part?Originally Posted by tercio67
What part would you have them do?
It's a defensive alliance, maybe they just want 'protection'. I'm sure there are some niche abilities they could specialise in.
It wouldn't be that different from the Baltic members or other small E.European nations that have joined NATO in recent years. If they meet requirements than I don't see why they shouldn't be allowed in.
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Macedonia continues to play an indispensable role in supporting NATO’s as the Kosovo Force's (KFOR) rear area, hosting the logistical supply line for KFOR troops in Kosovo. Macedonia is the largest per-capita contributor to the NATO operation in Afghanistan, having contributed 790 troops since 2002. Macedonia also contributes to the EU mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and has contributed troops to international coalition operations in Iraq.
We will not get into NATO anytime soon and remember the name is not the problem at all the identity is.
Thanks for the info, good points for joining
Unfortunately all of this is moot because I don't see Greece sorting out their issues with Macedonia any time soon. This looks more and more like another "frozen" dispute.
What frozen dispute? All it takes is for Macedonia to, unequivocally, declare to have no territorial designs.
Greece won't gonna make compromise, especially not at this hard time they have. Imagine just what will happen if they agree with our NATO membership. That situation doesn't suit to Europe also.
On the other hand for Macedonia there is no alternative to the membership on NATO and EUand this position has the political consensus of all major political factors and the general support of the citizens. NATO is the only efficient political, defence andsecurity organization that over the past 50 years has protected the values of democracy, the market economy and human rights, values which are shared by Macedonia and its citizens.
I wonder what will happen if Russians decide to build second base in Macedonia having another one in Serbia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repatriation
I just don't see the quabble ending for a while. Neither side seems to be making much progress, regardless of who is to blame for the standstill.
R. Macedonia wants to join NATO because of Kosovo and their might be a division of Kosovo soon. The country is the supply route to Kosovo and Serbia.
Most of the population does not trust NATO and I think there should a defence agreement with individual countries like Germany as opposed to being in the allience.
X.AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
AMENDMENT I
1. The Republic of Macedonia has no territorial pretensions towards any neighboring state.
http://www.sobranie.mk/en/default.as...B897C1858B71FF
No territorial designs towards who? Greece?
Do you really think that Macedonia could somehow and sometime in the future attack Greece!?
Macedonia has been a part of the PFP program (as a pre-NATO membership partnership) longer than anybody in the region.
It is one of the highest per capita contributors in the Afghanistan ISAF alliance.
It was a part of "Iraqi Freedom" from beginning to end.
It has troops in Bosnia & Lebanon.
It's the main supply root for KFOR troops in Kosovo.
And imho, i believe it has by far done more for NATO than NATO has done for Macedonia.
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