Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki has told U.S. TV station MSNBC that Macedonia deserves to become a NATO member.

"Macedonia is the fifth-largest contributor per capita in the Afghanistan mission, and the country has shown that it has the capacity to act and contribute to this mission. Macedonia is definitely a country that needs to be a NATO member and this is something it deserves", said Poposki.

MSNBC reports that Macedonia has received support from U.S. senators and congressmen over its request to join the Alliance, whereas the White House also supports the country's NATO accession.