17 October 2009 / TODAY'S ZAMAN, ANKARA
President Abdullah Gül yesterday announced his backing for Macedonia's eventual membership in NATO, saying Ankara wants Macedonia and all other Balkan nations to be part of the Euro-Atlantic institution for regional stability.
Macedonia's NATO bid was thwarted by Greece over a 19-year-long name dispute between the two neighbors at the alliance's summit in Bucharest last April. Turkey, a NATO member which became one of the first countries to recognize Macedonia by its constitutional name, is a staunch supporter of Skopje's NATO membership. “What is important is whether Macedonia meets NATO's membership criteria. Macedonia did fulfill the criteria but membership did not happen for reasons known to everyone,” Gül said at a press conference with visiting Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov. “Turkey has strongly defended Macedonia's rights and will continue to do so in the future.” Ivanov praised Ankara for its support. “You have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name. Only a true friend would lend such support,” he said.
