A Bulgarian general is probably to be in charge of the NATO headquarters in Skopje in December.

Army Chief of General Staff Zlatan Stoikov met on April 12 his Macedonian counterpart Miroslav Stoianovski, Novinar newspaper reported.

A Bulgarian officer works at the headquarters in Macedonia at the moment, Stoianovski said.

Stoianovksi and Stoikov also discussed the protection of Macedonian air space. One of the options envisions the setting up of an air control centre in Sofia.

Such regional centre will unite the efforts of several countries to guard the sovereignty of their air space. Countries participating in the project will provide funds and equipment like radars, Novinar reported.

By the end of 2007 Macedonia also expects to find out if it will get official NATO invitation to join the alliance, Stoianovski said.

Macedonia deserved the invitation, taking into consideration everything that has been achieved so far, Stoianovski said.