SKOPJE, Macedonia, April 10 (UPI) -- The Bush administration is grateful for Macedonian troop commitments in Iraq.

Makfax news agency reported April 6 that U.S. Secretary of State Deputy Senior Adviser on Iraq Robert Deutsch conveyed the administration's thanks during a meeting with high-ranking Macedonian government and army officials at the U.S. Embassy in Skopje. Macedonia currently has 45 soldiers in Iraq.

A number of state and defense department officials accompanied Deutsch to Macedonia, meeting with senior officials in Macedonia's Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs.

The U.S. officials also met with President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski's national security advisers, senior members of the relevant parliamentary committees and Macedonian army special operations unit members.

During his discussions, Deutsch emphasized the vital role that international forces in Iraq will continue to play in assisting Iraqi security forces to assume increasing responsibility for security.

The Bush administration supports eventual Macedonian membership in NATO. Macedonia, Albania and Croatia are currently in the NATO Membership Action Plan.

Taken from UPI.