    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [October 26, 2005]
    [Pages 1609-1610]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Vlado
    Buckovski of Macedonia
    October 26, 2005

        President Bush. It's been my honor to welcome the Prime Minister of
    Macedonia to the Oval Office. Prime Minister, I am grateful for your
    friendship. I am grateful for the strong support that you've given in
    our efforts to win the war on terror. You've been a steadfast ally, and
    the American people are grateful. I also appreciate the fact that you've
    committed troops alongside our troops in some of the world's

    [[Page 1610]]

    newest democracies, in Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to thank you for
    that as well.
        I also appreciate the progress you've made in implementing the Ohrid
    Agreement. You've showed the world that it's possible for people of
    different backgrounds to live together in peace. I want to thank you for
    your leadership. I also compliment you on the progress you've made
    toward implementing the reforms necessary for consideration in NATO and
    the EU. I know this is a big concern to you. I want to thank you for
    sharing your thoughts with me about your country's desire to join NATO
    and your aspirations for the EU. I appreciate that very much. Thank you
    for your confidence.
        All in all, I'm impressed by your leadership and welcome you to the
    Oval Office.
        Prime Minister Buckovski. Thank you, Mr. President. I feel be here
    in the White House with President Bush--and the historic 10th
    anniversary of the U.S.-Macedonian bilateral relations, which I must
    say, have never been closer. We have agreed that today Macedonia is a
    success story in building a stable, multiethnic democracy in the
    Balkans.
        I thanked President Bush for the continued U.S. support of our
    democracy, specifically for the U.S. role in the implementation of the
    Ohrid Framework Agreement, and to also express the gratitude of the
    people of Macedonia for U.S. recognition of our constitutional name,
    Republic of Macedonia.
        And I told the President that we are proud to have our soldiers in
    Iraq and Afghanistan, and that we intend to stay there as long as it is
    needed. We highly appreciate the leadership of President Bush--and
    advancing freedom and democracy throughout the world. We have both
    emphasized the importance of Macedonia's NATO integration and EU
    candidacy in cementing our progress and helping the region make the
    final step on the path of the Europe.
        And finally, I told President Bush that Macedonia will continue to
    play a positive and constructive role in the Balkans, especially now,
    when Belgrade and Pristina, together, lead the international community,
    will start negotiation about eventual permanent status of Kosovo.
        President Bush. Thank you. Appreciate you.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:46 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House.