A Macedonian delegation has embarked on a trip to the city of Chicago, which will host the NATO summit on May 20-21. The state delegation at the summit will be led by President Gjorge Ivanov and includes Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, Macedonia's  Ambassador to NATO Martin Trenevski and country's Ambassador to the United States, Zoran Jolevski.

Macedonia's delegation will take part at a meeting dedicated to NATO members and countries contributing to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, due to be held on May 21. President Ivanov is scheduled to address the meeting. Officials from Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Georgia will hold a separate meeting with NATO members on the same day.

Members of the Macedonian delegation are expected to hold several talks with representatives of NATO countries.

Intensive diplomatic activity was launched prior to the NATO summit. Macedonian top officials have held numerous meetings with representatives of the United States, Germany, Great Britain, Turkey, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy and other NATO countries in a bid to promote the importance of Macedonia's accession to NATO. President Gjorge Ivanov and Premier Nikola Gruevski have sent letters to their counterparts from NATO countries seeking support in order Macedonia's membership to be included in the summit's agenda. Macedonian MPs have adopted a declaration reaffirming the realization of Macedonia's strategic goal to join NATO. "Macedonia has met all criteria and conditions for NATO membership and it remains committed to implementing reforms and supporting peace operations aimed at providing global peace and democracy," it reads.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said that the Chicago summit won't focus on the enlargement issue. Three topics will be its focal point: NATO's commitment to the mission in Afghanistan, advancing the 'smart defense' concept in addressing challenges of the 21st century and strengthening NATO's partnership network worldwide.

Nearly 10.000 persons, including 2.000 reporters, will gather in Chicago. Security services are in a state of alert because 100.000 protesters are expected to arrive in Chicago.

During their stay in Chicago, the President, ministers and other members of the delegation are set to meet with the Macedonian Diaspora in the US. The United Macedonian Diaspora is organizing a gala dinner, where awards will be presented to Slovenian PM Janez Jansa and Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for their contribution to Macedonia's integration. The delegation is also expected to meet with the US association of ethnic Albanians from Macedonia.