Macedonia is already acting as an ally and we want to see the country join the Alliance as soon as possible. This will occur right after you solve the name problem and NATO has reached consensus over this issue, said NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow after Wednesday's meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

"I expect a solution to the name problem as soon as possible, followed by Macedonia's accession as 29th NATO member-state. This will be beneficial for you, the Alliance and the region", said Vershbow.

Asked if NATO had plan B if the name problem was not solved, the NATO Deputy SG said Alliance decisions were passed by consensus.

"NATO is an organization where decisions are passed by consensus. There is no plan B at the moment, since altering a summit decision passed by consensus again requires consensus", said Vershbow.

Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki emphasized Macedonia was already acting as NATO member, confirming on numerous occasions its deserved place in the Alliance.

"We are continuing to meet all the objectives stipulated in the membership action plans (MAPs). The fulfillment of the 12 MAPs represents another proof that makes the blockade absurd. We will continue to act as NATO member-state, but we expect the Alliance to acknowledge this together with the country that has put barriers on our accession. We will definitely all benefit from this", said FM Poposki.

According to him, Macedonia is open for dialogue and good neighborly relations, but expects this from the other side too.

With regards to the visit of NATO deputy chief Vershbow and the coming visit of UN SG Ban Ki-moon and envoy Matthew Nimetz, Poposki said he wanted to see sincere commitment and communication at all levels with Greece's top officials.

"This is the only way to move forward. Macedonia is open for communication with everyone and at all levels. I hope we will see real commitment by our interlocutors from Greece, thus creating a favorable climate to move forward. Our expectations from this visit, as well as from any other visit, is to see feedback from Athens, demonstrating de facto commitment and de facto constructiveness", underlined FM Poposki.