“We want the name issue to be solved before Macedonia enters NATO. We rely on the efforts and discussions which are moderated by the UN” says the president of the ATA, president of the NATO parliamentary assembly and member of German Bundestag.
“Membership of Macedonia in NATO will have enormous significance for the country itself, but also for the Alliance.  Despite all the effort the fact that membership of Macedonia is frozen remains because the name issue” said for Deutsche Welle Karl Lamers.

“Conditions are clear. We want name issue solved before Macedonia enters NATO. We rely on the efforts and discussions which are moderated by the UN”, says Lamers and adds that key is in the hands of the two countries Macedonia and Greece and the of them should make the biggest effort to solve the problem.
“But I think the pressure is rising. NATO and EU wish to see this this country integrated is growing. I hope that the existing pressure will make that happen. Through UN, Macedonia and Greece will find the real way. I am more optimist than pessimist”

On the topic whether its ethical and in the European spirit the invitation to be conditioned and membership to be promised under the condition to change its name, Lamers says that there are preconditions which have to be fulfilled and they are for every country that are aspirants to become part of one international institution or organization like EU and NATO.

“It has to be understood that we want to accept the country when existing problems will be solved. This is not only for Macedonia but every other case. There are preconditions that have to be fulfilled and they are for every country that wants to be part of NATO and EU. Now in question is unsolved problem name. It’s clear that issue shouldn’t be brought into NATO. That’s why I will repeat: I hope and I wish the issue to be solved as soon as possible and Macedonia will be accepted in NATO”.

Asked whether issue will be solved until next enlargement and Macedonia on indefinite stays on the doors of NATO, Lamers says that he don’t believe in such thing and it is hard to make time limit and to say something concrete.

According to him, attitude towards Macedonia in the parliamentary assembly of NATO is very positive and the efforts that the country brings into realizing values of the Alliance are appreciated.

“160 Macedonian soldiers are in ISAF, there are in EU operation ALTEA, in UNIFIL. Total of 190 soldiers are in different international peace operations and this effort is appreciated. That’s why in 2009 Macedonia got clear perspective for membership. Now only name issue remains. We will be happy if Macedonia soon became a member. This country can bring a lot in the area of security and stability of this region” says Karl Lamers president of ATA, president of the NATO parliamentary assembly and member of German Bundestag.