[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.