TIRANA, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Unite States on Wednesday urged southeastern European countries to contribute more troops to Afghanistan to help keep peace there, reports from the Macedonian capital Skopje said.

    "As the situation in Iraq continues to improve, I urge you to consider sending more forces to Afghanistan," U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told an annual meeting of southeastern European defense ministers at Ohrid, a lakeside resort about 200 km south of Skopje.

    "Your assistance will not only help Afghanistan better protect and care for its citizens, but will also reinforce your important role in ensuring peace and stability around the world," he said.

    Southeastern European countries have a combined force of about 5,100 troops in Afghanistan.

    The annual meeting of southeastern European countries groups Albania, Turkey, Greece, Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia, Serbia and Georgia.

    Gates attended the meeting as a special guest.