[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 85 (Thursday, May 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE REPUBLIC OF 
                               MACEDONIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I would like to submit into the 
Congressional Record the text of the U.S. State Department announcement 
this month regarding the strategic partnership between the United 
States and the Republic of Macedonia.
  I urge my colleagues to review this document closely, and to remember 
the geostrategic importance of the United States' continued support for 
the Republic of Macedonia's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization (NATO).
  We in Congress should also fully appreciate the great distance this 
young country has traveled--reforming itself politically, economically, 
and militarily--since the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic 
of Yugoslavia.

Declaration of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Between the United 
States of America and the Republic of Macedonia, Bureau of European and 
            Eurasian Affairs, Washington, D.C., May 7, 2008

       The United States of America and the Republic of Macedonia 
     are determined to expand and deepen the close partnership 
     between the two countries based upon common goals, interests, 
     and values. The two countries wish to enhance their strategic 
     relationship through intensified consultation and cooperation 
     in the areas of security, people-to-people ties, and 
     commerce. The United States and Macedonia reaffirm their 
     support for the principles of sovereignty and territorial 
     integrity of states, the purposes and principles of the U.N. 
     charter, and a unitary, multiethnic Macedonia within its 
     existing borders.
       Macedonia and the United States note that a democratic, 
     secure and prosperous Macedonia, with friendly and 
     constructive relations with its neighbors and as an active 
     participant in regional and international economic, political 
     and security fora, is vital to peace and stability in 
     Southeast Europe.
       In this regard, the United States continues to support 
     Macedonia's security, stability and economic development.
       In the interest of an intensified partnership, the United 
     States intends to immediately provide additional assistance 
     to Macedonia to help build prosperity, strengthen security, 
     and foster deeper ties between our two countries.
       Macedonia expresses deep appreciation to the U.S. for its 
     assistance to date in helping the Macedonian people as they 
     work to institutionalize and make permanent a democratic 
     process that realizes our shared values of peace, freedom, 
     the rule of law, and a free market economy. Macedonia also 
     recognizes and reaffirms the support from the U.S. in 
     reforming and strengthening its armed forces.
       Building on our existing strong partnership in the fight 
     against global terrorism and promoting international 
     stability, demonstrated by our troops serving together in 
     Iraq and Afghanistan, our civilian and military officials 
     plan to intensify their bilateral high-level contacts and 
     seek increased joint training and exercise opportunities to 
     enhance the interoperability of our forces, and strengthen 
     our partnership in promoting international security and non-
     proliferation.
       Sharing a desire to expand trade and investment, the United 
     States and Macedonia will seek to enhance their economic ties 
     and undertake additional measures to strengthen the 
     competitiveness of Macedonia's economy and expand 
     opportunities for United States and Macedonian businesses. 
     The United States supports Macedonia's ongoing efforts to 
     build a business-friendly environment attractive to United 
     States and other foreign investment. Macedonia expresses its 
     appreciation for the opportunity to utilize GSP to strengthen 
     bilateral trade. Both countries encourage the further 
     expansion of their trade relations.
       Macedonia expresses satisfaction with the successful 
     implementation of the USAID technical assistance programs in 
     the areas of democracy, economic growth and education and 
     reaffirms its desire for cooperation in these areas to 
     continue.
       The two countries also seek to build closer and more robust 
     bonds between their citizens and will undertake practical 
     measures to promote educational and cultural exchange.
       The NATO Summit Declaration in Bucharest made clear that 
     the Republic of Macedonia has met NATO's democratic, 
     economic, and defense standards through its rigorous 
     participation in the Membership Action Plan. The United 
     States continues to work with our NATO Allies to maintain 
     Macedonia's robust cooperation with NATO under existing 
     mechanisms, while it awaits a membership invitation.
       Both countries look forward to Macedonia joining NATO as 
     soon as possible. Our intensified cooperation at this time 
     will further strengthen Macedonia's readiness to take on 
     Alliance obligations and responsibilities in the near future.

                          ____________________