Security and defence issues feature among the main topics of discussion of the Central and South Eastern European Security Forum's (CSEESF) Balkan Mosaic forum.

Macedonian defence minister Lazar Elenovski and deputy Foreign Minister Gergana Grucharova spoke at the opening.

Elenovski said that he was optimistic about Macedonia's NATO membership. The country was expecting an invitation from the alliance, which was to discuss enlargement soon, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Macedonia was taking part in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, said Elenovski. More than 100 Macedonian soldiers were already in the country, responsible for security, said he.

Gruncharova said that regional co-operation contributed to the overall security and trust on the Balkans.