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Skopje, 29 July 2002

Dear colleague,

I am writing to you to share, some of my thoughts and beliefs regarding the aspirations of my country, the Republic of Macedonia, for future membership in NATO. I hope that this comes at the right time when the Alliance as a whole, and your country in particular is already deeply engaged in the deliberations about the outcome of the Prague Summit, a Summit that will announce a new NATO with new capabilities, partnerships and members, thus practically announcing a new Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate, once again, our appreciation to the international community, especially to NATO and its member states for their overall engagements aimed at re-establishing peace, security and stability in the Region, as well as for their significant contribution in overcoming the crisis in Macedonia. This has had not only a practical effect for further strengthening the democratic processes in the Region and its countries respectively, but also an exceptional political significance, because our goal - Euro-Atlantic integration, remains our strategic priority.

It is already an established fact that nowhere is NATO's commitment to making Europe more secure and more stable stronger than in the case of Macedonia. We do appreciate this fact. As we also appreciate the opportunity by standing along with NATO, its forces and representatives in our country to learn in practice what NATO membership means.

The Republic of Macedonia is consistent in pursing the realization of the key commitment of integration into NATO, as one of the strategic objectives of our foreign, security and defence policy. Being integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures is our lasting commitment, for which there is consensus among all relevant political parties, and broad support from our people.

Of vital interest for the Republic of Macedonia is to achieve NATO standards. This is the only way that Macedonia can achieve political and national stability. The need for greater security culture should also be seen as part of a regional project.

The Republic of Macedonia is prepared to start generating security values: firstly, by fully implementing the Membership Action Plan; secondly, through regional security projects such as border control and cooperation with the neighbouring countries that are full-fledged members, will become full-fledge members in Prague, with PfP members and applicants and/or future applicants, such as FRY.

Macedonia has set for itself the task of finalizing the reforms of its security system and structure, including the restructuring of its security forces, establishing a more balanced role of the police forces and overtaking border security, introducing a five year transparent system of defense planning and budgeting, as well as equipping the army with a view of becoming a compatible and inter-operational NATO member. This is to be achieved in a solid and stable political environment based on the respect of democratic principles and full implementation of the Ohrid Agreement.

Convinced in the indivisibility of security, through common and coordinated activities with the international factor, mostly with NATO, the Republic of Macedonia stands ready to share the responsibilities, risks, benefits and the burden of common security and collective defence, for protection of shared goals, principles and values.

The invitation for the Republic of Macedonia to join NATO will be evidence of the firm determination of the western democracies to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Macedonia, while finalizing the successful peace arrangements in the Region; and it will be the best possible support of the common goal of all South East European democracies, goals for the whole and free, secure and stable Europe.

NATO membership will not only protect the national sovereignty and geopolitical interests of its members, but it will also facilitate the unimpeded development of the democratic, political and economic systems in all countries in the Euro-Atlantic area. Thus, NATO membership will strengthen peace and stability as a whole. Such shared values are a positive challenge for Macedonia as well, instigating us to contribute further to their promotion. Macedonia is making efforts to produce, and not just to consume peace and stability in the region and in the wider Euro-Atlantic zone.

Macedonia maintains her invaluable geostrategic position, now as a natural bridge between the regions of the Balkans - Middle East - Caucuses triangle, being points of refocused attention for threats from terrorism and as an invaluable partner in intelligence sharing and cooperation, which are of utmost importance in building and maintaining the anti-terrorist coalition and preventing dangers from the so called "asymmetric threats".

The Republic of Macedonia secured its part in the Anti-Terrorist Alliance by offering her airports and territory at the disposal of NATO immediately after September 11, thus once again confirming in practice its readiness for partnership and cooperation with NATO (manifested during the air campaign over FR Yugoslavia in 1999 when we were the main logistical support for the operation, at the same time that we hosted more than 360 000 refugees, which had serious implications on its security at the time).

We warmly welcomed the commitment of the Vilnius Group countries in Riga to continue its cooperation, already acknowledged as successful, during the phase of ratification of the membership of the countries of the Vilnius group that will be invited in Prague. In this phase, Macedonia would fulfill the tasks it set out for itself. Therefore, the value of the existence of such group and the cooperation among its members is more than evident.

I am firmly convinced that each of the countries, including Macedonia, will continue to give its individual maximal efforts and contribution to the activities aimed at achieving global, Euro-Atlantic and European activities aimed at strengthening and supporting peace and stability as well as in reaching NATO standards.

At the same time each candidate country has its own place and role in the Euro-Atlantic family and different individual interests and possibilities. What brings them all together are the shared values and wish to take on their full responsibilities as NATO members; what makes them different is the way and time-frame in which they can achieve this. I think that assessing the individual merits of a country is one of the most important principles of the commitment to the open-door policy of the Alliance. And, in this respect, I kindly ask for your support for our case.

I truly believe that Macedonia, by setting its own tasks, will be ready to be honored with an invitation for membership. What we need to achieve this goal is a substantial message to this effect by the Alliance at the Prague Summit.

Thanking you for your understanding and support,

Respectfully yours,

Slobodan Casule