Ambassador Jess Baily
July 15, 2015
I know you are all interested in our views on the agreement that was reached last night. Let me say it very simply – Macedonia won. I want to commend the leaders who participated last night and put the citizens’ interest first and moved to resolve the political crisis. With this agreement and the implementation of it – which will require work, as you know, over the next several months – but it will propel Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration forward. But I want to assure you that the United States and our other international partners – the EU, the OSCE – will be there to help you, to help all parties in this process to see that it is implemented.
I also want to in particular commend the efforts of EU Commissioner Hahn, the Members of the European Parliament, and the other colleagues who have worked on this very, very important agreement. It’s a great testament to the cooperation between the European Union, its member states, and the United States to help achieve security, stability, and democracy in the Western Balkans and the rest of Europe.
Thank you very much.