Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held talks Friday with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Dirk Brengelmann.

Gruevski and Brengelmann dicussed about ongoing reforms in Macedonia under the 14th cycle of the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) and the country's EU-integration process.

PM Gruevski reaffirmed Macedonia'strategic aspiration to join NATO and its sincere commitment to overcome all challenges to that effect.

Gruevski also briefed the NATO guest about his latest initiative presented to his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras for intensifying the UN-mediated negotiations on settling the name issue between the two countries in favor of Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic and European integration. Brengelmann welcomed Gruevski's initiative.

It also says that Gruevski and Brengelmann expressed satisfaction with the realization of Macedonia's MAP. They also highlighted Macedonia's substantial contribution to the implementation of NATO policies, activities, in particular the army's role in the Alliance-led international missions.