A dispute over the name of Macedonia could derail Nato plans to invite three Balkan states to join the alliance.
A dispute over the name of Macedonia could derail Nato plans to invite three Balkan states to join the alliance.
Nato foreign ministers have begun discussing whether Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav republic should be asked to become members next month.
Nato foreign ministers have begun discussing whether Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav republic should be asked to become members next month.
All 26 members of the alliance have to agree, but Greece has threatened to block Macedonia's bid because of the northern Greek region of the same name.
All 26 members of the alliance have to agree, but Greece has threatened to block Macedonia's bid because of the northern Greek region of the same name.
A UN envoy is currently trying to find a compromise for both countries.
A UN envoy is currently trying to find a compromise for both countries.
A lot depends on the question of whether these two states are going to be able to come closer together in the coming weeks Frank-Walter SteinmeierGerman Foreign Minister
A lot depends on the question of whether these two states are going to be able to come closer together in the coming weeks Frank-Walter SteinmeierGerman Foreign Minister
Greece says the name implies a territorial claim on the region, which Macedonia denies.
Greece says the name implies a territorial claim on the region, which Macedonia denies.
Nato members are keen to extend the alliance into the Balkans, to stabilise the region after Kosovo's 17 February declaration of independence.
Nato members are keen to extend the alliance into the Balkans, to stabilise the region after Kosovo's 17 February declaration of independence.
All three countries are backed by Washington and Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said they had worked hard on political and military reforms.
All three countries are backed by Washington and Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said they had worked hard on political and military reforms.
In the long run, he said, the only recipe for Balkan stability was their integration in Nato and the EU.
In the long run, he said, the only recipe for Balkan stability was their integration in Nato and the EU.
"I would like all three countries to join," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters.
"I would like all three countries to join," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters.
"A lot depends on the question of whether these two states are going to be able to come closer together in the coming weeks."
"A lot depends on the question of whether these two states are going to be able to come closer together in the coming weeks."
An invitation would be made at a Nato summit in Bucharest in April.
An invitation would be made at a Nato summit in Bucharest in April.
The BBC's correspondent at the meeting in Brussels, Oana Lungescu, said unless Macedonia agreed to change its name by early April, Greece might veto its membership and cast an embarrassing shadow over its biggest ever summit.
The BBC's correspondent at the meeting in Brussels, Oana Lungescu, said unless Macedonia agreed to change its name by early April, Greece might veto its membership and cast an embarrassing shadow over its biggest ever summit.
Russian dilemma
Russian dilemma
Nato is also expected to offer closer ties to Serbia, despite the anti-Western backlash there over Kosovo.
Nato is also expected to offer closer ties to Serbia, despite the anti-Western backlash there over Kosovo.
Requests by Ukraine and Georgia to get a road map for eventual membership are also proving divisive.
Requests by Ukraine and Georgia to get a road map for eventual membership are also proving divisive.
Our correspondent says that while former communist countries support them, other Nato members are looking for ways to send a positive signal to the two former Soviet republics without worsening relations with Russia, which are at their lowest point since the Cold War.
Our correspondent says that while former communist countries support them, other Nato members are looking for ways to send a positive signal to the two former Soviet republics without worsening relations with Russia, which are at their lowest point since the Cold War.
Afghanistan is also on the agenda of the talks in Brussels, but a Nato spokesman said no decisions were expected on committing more troops to what is already the alliance's biggest and most challenging mission.
Afghanistan is also on the agenda of the talks in Brussels, but a Nato spokesman said no decisions were expected on committing more troops to what is already the alliance's biggest and most challenging mission.
Foreign ministers will work instead on a strategic statement explaining why Afghanistan is key to the fight against global terrorism, and how Nato plans to improve co-ordination with other international organisations to build up the country.
Foreign ministers will work instead on a strategic statement explaining why Afghanistan is key to the fight against global terrorism, and how Nato plans to improve co-ordination with other international organisations to build up the country.
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