July 12, 2019
President Pendarovski, it is a pleasure to meet you and to offer you my letter of credence. Thank you for hosting this ceremony. I am honored to represent President Trump and the American people as the United States’ Ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia.
I am especially pleased to start my tenure at this pivotal time for the relationship between our two countries. We look forward to welcoming North Macedonia as the 30th member of the NATO alliance by the end of the year. As we become allies, our relationship will grow stronger, connected by our mutual commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in this region and beyond.
As we look forward to these developments, we are working from a strong foundation and tradition of partnership. For over 25 years, we have worked together and accomplished much to advance our shared goals – to see North Macedonia fully integrated into Western institutions and fully committed to our shared values – democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.
Our two countries are stronger because of our cooperation. Our soldiers serve shoulder-to-shoulder on the battlefield the same way our leaders work side-by-side to advance our goals of a safe and prosperous North Macedonia and Europe. Our business leaders work together to create jobs and grow our economies. Our professors and students collaborate on ground-breaking research, and our artists exchange ideas and inspiration.
I am excited to work with you and the government and the people of North Macedonia as we develop a stronger relationship as allies. I commit to promoting stability through strong institutions and supporting your government’s efforts to fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law, to fostering prosperity through assistance and private sector partnerships, and to enhancing security through our defense partnership.
I look forward personally to experiencing the beauty and diversity of North Macedonia and to learning more about the vibrant culture, traditions, and history of your country. I will look for opportunities to share the culture of the United States and to build bridges between citizens of both our countries.
I am pleased to offer you my letter of credence and my personal assurance that I will work tirelessly to build on our strong relationship and to make our shared vision for the future a reality. Thank you.
