After recent changes in political leadership of the Republic of Macedonia, the country is on course to resolve a name dispute with Greece and gain NATO membership. Macedonia's first bid to join the alliance was turned down in 2008. But many Macedonians are optimistic about joining NATO soon, as the organisation is vocally supporting the membership. CGTN's Aljosa Milenkovic has more from Skoplje.

US troops in full battle gear at the Skoplje's town center. Young children playing on top of their infantry fighting vehicles, with the US and Macedonian flags behind them.

American soldiers in the mission to win hearts and minds of locals.

ALJOSA MILENKOVIC SKOPLJE "The vast majority of people I've spoken with here see NATO as the protective cover from further regional instabilities that shook the structure of the region in last couple of decades. It is important for them considering what this country went through since the first days of its independence back in 1991."

But handful of opposing voices are saying that actually desire to expand NATO's southern flank is behind those open NATO doors. According to analysts the NATO has significant interests here, but also say that it is marriage of convenience, that's happening right now only because of current geo-strategic tensions.

NANO RUZIN FORMER MACEDONIAN AMBASSADOR TO NATO "Macedonia is trying to use this moment, to get under a security umbrella that would guarantee its independence and territorial integrity, and at the same time to become a member in an established club of 30 countries, where it can talk on the equal basis with the big powers."

Macedonia is country of two million people with history of ethnic tensions and violence between Slavic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians, which made almost third of entire nation. Back in 2001 NATO brokered the deal between the two ethnic groups after months of bloody clashes. Ever since Macedonia sees NATO as the guarantee for tense but peaceful period, particularly since it is surrounded by the three NATO member countries. Macedonian officials, see perspective of NATO membership also through the other various benefits.

RADMILA SEKERINSKA, DEFENSE MINISTER REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA "We have seen also what happens around us with the countries that have become NATO members, not only Central and Eastern Europe, but also let's say Bulgaria and recently Albania and Montenegro. It has not only increased their stability, it is also increased their economic performance."

Macedonia's first bid to join NATO failed in 2008 when it was vetoed by the Greece, because of the name of the country dispute. Now, Macedonians are confident that by the end of 2018 some major breakthroughs will happen that will remove final obstacle on their way to NATO. Aljosa Milenkovic, CGTN, Skoplje.