Democratic congressmen John Larson and republican colleagues Patrick Tiberi ad Ted Poe are the three new members of the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia, bringing the number to 15 members.

Congressmen Larson is considered a friend of the Macedonian-American community in Connecticut and one of the signatories of the letter addressed to President Barack Obama over Macedonia's NATO accession prior to the Chicago summit.

Congressmen Poe is a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, representing the Houston area, populated by increasing number of Macedonian-Americans.

Congressman Tiberi comes from Ohio, the home of one of the largest Macedonian communities in the United States.

United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) president Meti Koloski said the accession of the three congressmen to the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia increases the voice of the Macedonian community.

"The group itself and the use of word Macedonia is of enormous significance for our cause. We aim at increasing the number of Macedonia's friends, resulting in the enhancement of bilateral relations", said Koloski.

UMD expects the number of congressmen in the caucus to reach 20 by the year-end.