In a December 29 2008 interview with Radio Free Europe, US ambassador to Macedonia Philip Reeker reiterated Washington's stance that "the best possible future for Macedonia is in Nato and EU", noting that both sides in the name row must be more focused on finding a solution that would lift Greece's objection to Macedonia's Nato accession and prevent similar situation in regards to the country's European Union accession.

In April, Athens blocked Skopje from getting an invitation from Nato, arguing that the country must change its name first. Greece says that the name Macedonia implies Skopje's territorial claims over its own northern province called by the same name.

Nato then said it will extend an invitation to Macedonia as soon as the dispute is solved.

Since then, the UN sponsored talks between the two sides have intensified but without any breakthrough. The talks came to a halt last month after Skopje announced that it would sue Athens before the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

However, both countries have pledged to stay committed to the talks.

Reeker stressed the importance of the upcoming presidential and local elections in Macedonia, scheduled for March. After the June early general elections were marked by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe as marred with violence and irregularities, senior Nato, EU and US representatives have urged the country not to miss the chance to mend the country's negative image in March.

"Last April, Nato members agreed that Macedonia had met the membership criteria, so they will keep a closer eye on the country, including the conduct of the next elections," Reeker said. "It is very important for the Macedonian government to implement OSCE's recommendations, issued after June's elections, and to make sure that the upcoming elections will meet international standards."