[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 581 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 581

 Affirming the support of the United States for the Republic of North 
              Macedonia's accession to the European Union.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 7, 2024

  Mr. Welch (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Ricketts, and Mr. Tillis) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Affirming the support of the United States for the Republic of North 
              Macedonia's accession to the European Union.

Whereas the Republic of North Macedonia peacefully asserted and achieved 
        independent statehood in 1991, during the course of the former 
        Yugoslavia's violent disintegration, and has since become a secure, 
        democratic, and prosperous country and a key United States ally and 
        strategic partner in the Western Balkans;
Whereas North Macedonia affirmed its commitment to joining the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1993, adopted major defense reforms, built 
        a modern, professional defense force, and became the 30th NATO alliance 
        member on March 27, 2020;
Whereas, in 1993, the National Guard State Partnership Program was established 
        between the State of Vermont and the Republic of North Macedonia;
Whereas North Macedonia was the first Western Balkan country to sign a 
        Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) and 
        became an official EU candidate country in 2005;
Whereas, in 2008, the United States signed a Declaration of Strategic 
        Partnership and Cooperation with North Macedonia;
Whereas, on June 17, 2018, the foreign ministers of the Hellenic Republic and 
        the Republic of Macedonia signed the Prespa Agreement, resolving a 
        bilateral dispute that had hindered North Macedonia's EU membership bid;
Whereas, in March 2020, European Union member states endorsed opening accession 
        negotiations with North Macedonia, and pursuant to a July 2022 protocol, 
        North Macedonia committed to adopt certain constitutional changes in 
        order to resolve an additional bilateral disagreement;
Whereas, in June 2022, North Macedonia became the first Western Balkan country 
        to start a strategic dialogue with the United States, marking a 
        significant bilateral milestone and step toward implementation of the 
        Declaration of Strategic Partnership;
Whereas, in November 2023, the European Commission outlined a new growth plan to 
        provide Western Balkans countries certain EU membership benefits ahead 
        of accession, boost economic growth, and accelerate socio-economic 
        convergence with the EU;
Whereas North Macedonia remains an important European Union and United States 
        security partner and NATO ally, providing Ukraine with humanitarian aid 
        and considerable military equipment, voting in favor of United Nations 
        Security Council and General Assembly resolutions against Russian 
        aggression, and adopting all European Union Russian sanctions;
Whereas, on November 29, 2023, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken 
        met with North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and commended 
        North Macedonia's strong contributions and leadership as the Chair-in-
        Office to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 
        (OSCE), and reaffirmed the United States would remain a steadfast 
        partner and ally in support of North Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic path;
Whereas, in November 2023, the European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement 
        Package and assessed that North Macedonia has continued to fully align 
        with the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy; and
Whereas the Government of North Macedonia has made significant progress in its 
        work to join the European Union: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) appreciates North Macedonia's active role in regional 
        cooperation and long-standing commitment to the European Union 
        accession process;
            (2) recognizes that there is strong support for EU 
        membership across North Macedonia's multiethnic communities and 
        that North Macedonia's diverse cultural heritage would be 
        strengthened through EU membership;
            (3) encourages the Government of North Macedonia to 
        continue its important work toward membership in the European 
        Union, as well as efforts to further peace, stability, and 
        prosperity in Eastern Europe;
            (4) recognizes the cooperation between the State of Vermont 
        and North Macedonia and the joint military partnership between 
        the Vermont National Guard and the Army of the Republic of 
        North Macedonia;
            (5) recognizes the significant evidence of the benefits of 
        North Macedonia's membership to the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization in closer economic and political ties and in its 
        commitment to foster regional stability and the principle of 
        mutual defense;
            (6) recognizes the importance of European Union membership 
        for North Macedonia for its economic growth, strengthening of 
        its democratic institutions and norms, and bolstering the rule 
        of law in Southeast Europe;
            (7) encourages the Government of North Macedonia to 
        undertake the reforms necessary to advance their European Union 
        membership;
            (8) calls on the President, the Secretary of State, and 
        European allies to advocate for the opening of the first 
        European Union negotiation cluster with North Macedonia without 
        further bilateral conditions;
            (9) urges the President and the Secretary of State to 
        continue to--
                    (A) work closely with the Government of North 
                Macedonia; and
                    (B) support European Union enlargement for the 
                Western Balkans, including North Macedonia on its 
                European Union path; and
            (10) affirms the desire of the United States Government and 
        American people to strengthen the transatlantic partnership 
        with the European Union and all member countries.
                                 <all>