On May 7 2008, Macedonia and the US inked a declaration on strategic partnership, world news agencies reported.

The agreement expressed the two countries' intention to develop their cooperation in the fields of security, economy and culture, as well as to extend their military ties.

The declaration is widely seen as an US move trying to make up for Macedonia not getting invited to join Nato at the bloc's April 2008 summit in Bucharest. Back then, Greece vetoed the issuing of an invitation to Macedonia because of the unsettled name dispute between the two Balkan countries.

Since Macedonia broke away from former Yugoslavia in 1991, it has insisted that it be recognised under its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia, however, is also the name of Greece's northern province and according to Athens having a bordering state use it as its official name is indicative of its territorial claims over Greece. Therefore, the Greeks have been requesting a name change from their neighbours for 17 years now.

"The United States strongly support the accession of Macedonia into Nato, as soon as the name dispute can be reconciled [...] We hope that will happen very, very soon, because Macedonia deserves to be a member of Nato. Macedonia will enhance Nato's strength, prosperity and democracy," US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said at the signing ceremony, as quoted by Reuters.

On Macedonia's behalf, the declaration was signed by foreign minister Antonio Milososki.