The US Senate voted to grant NATO membership to Northern Macedonia. It is reported by Defense News. 30 congressmen voted for the decision, while two opposed it.
“The Russians hate such things, they hate the increase in the size of NATO, but we want to encourage the Europeans,” said Jim Rish, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Northern Macedonia wants to become the 30th member of NATO by the end of the year. Russia is opposed to these plans.
After the country officially changed its name from Macedonia to Northern Macedonia in February, NATO member countries signed an agreement with it that opens the way for membership in the alliance. In 2008, Greece blocked NATO membership in a neighboring country, stating that the use of the name “Macedonia” implies territorial claims against the eponymous northern Greek province and usurpation of ancient Greek heritage.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on October 4 at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in London that “the door to NATO remains open.”
When Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Zoran Zaev received US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the same day, he announced his intention to increase the country’s defense budget to 2% of GDP by 2024, if not earlier. NATO set a goal for its members to devote 2 percent of its GDP to defense.