    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [September 13, 1995]
    [Page 1358]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Normalization Agreement Between Greece and the Former
    Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
    September 13, 1995

        I welcome the agreement signed by the Foreign Ministers of Greece
    and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in New York today
    normalizing their relations. The agreement is very much in the interest
    of both nations and will significantly strengthen regional stability
    while aiding our efforts to negotiate a wider peace in the Balkans.
        Both Prime Minister Papandreou and President Gligorov deserve
    congratulations for demonstrating the courage and determination needed
    to reach an agreement that was fair to both sides. I hope both
    governments will now proceed to establish friendly and enduring
    bilateral relations while taking steps to resolve their remaining
    differences, including over the name issue.
        I also wish to thank U.N. Special Representative Cyrus Vance and
    U.S. Special Envoy Matthew Nimetz for their tireless efforts in helping
    to mediate the dispute.
        In view of the significant progress represented by this agreement, I
    wrote to President Gligorov earlier in the week inviting his government
    to establish diplomatic relations with the United States. I am pleased
    to announce that I have received his positive response and can confirm
    that diplomatic relations now exist between our two countries.
        I look forward to meeting with the negotiators and representatives
    of the two countries tomorrow to congratulate them personally on this
    important achievement.