Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Naples Commander, Admiral Bruce Clingan, who pays an official visit to Macedonia, met Tuesday with Macedonian Army (ARM) Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Goranco Koteski, and Defense Minister Talat Xhaferi.

Admiral Clingan was briefed on ARM's transformation, experiences from NATO, EU and UN-led missions, the army's mission capacities and participation in post-ISAF.

General Koteski highlighted Macedonia's aspirations for full-fledged NATO membership, as well as ARM's commitment for further maintenance of achieved interoperability and operational capabilities for participation in NATO, EU and UN-led missions.

Admiral Clingan said he was impressed by Macedonia and ARM's contribution in peacekeeping missions, adding that cooperation with ARM had a significant role in the Alliance's reform processes, as well as in passing important decisions in planning of NATO operations.