(dpa) - NATO leaders could postpone taking any decision on inviting Macedonia into the alliance at a summit in Bucharest, leaving the matter to a NATO meeting after the summer, diplomats said.
NATO leaders had been expected to decide whether or not to invite Macedonia in on Wednesday, but Greece said that it would block the move because it is in dispute with Macedonia over the latter's name.
At their last summit in Riga in 2006, NATO leaders sent a "clear signal" to Macedonia, Albania and Croatia that all three could expect a membership invitation in Bucharest if they fulfilled NATO's strict criteria.
Leaders had hoped to invite the Adriatic trio in as a group, but insiders now expect that only Croatia and Albania will receive invitations.