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US Ratifies North Macedonia's Admission to NATO in Line With October Senate Vote - Pompeo

© REUTERS / Ints KalninsA German soldier holds NATO flag during a ceremony to welcome the German battalion being deployed to Lithuania as part of NATO deterrence measures against Russia in Rukla
A German soldier holds NATO flag during a ceremony to welcome the German battalion being deployed to Lithuania as part of NATO deterrence measures against Russia in Rukla - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States has officially greenlighted North Macedonia's admission to NATO bringing the Balkan nation a step closer to full-fledged membership in the alliance, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday.

"Pleased to announce the United States deposited its ratification of North Macedonia's NATO Accession Protocol", Pompeo tweeted late Sunday.

In October, the Senate approved a decision by the US government to support Macedonia's entry into the alliance by a bipartisan vote of 91 to two. Only Republican Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee voted against.

Macedonia has been participating in the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) since 1999. MAP provides advice and assistance tailored to the individual needs of countries wishing to join the alliance.

The country was invited to join the bloc at the Bucharest summit in 2008 as long as it reached consensus with Greece in their years-long naming dispute.

The dispute was resolved in June 2018 when the country renamed itself North Macedonia to appease Greece and pave the way for EU and NATO membership.

In early October, Pompeo met with Macedonia's President Pendarovski to discuss the country's accession to NATO.

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