United States Sees Progress, Challenges in Macedonia - US Department of State

Americans making "nicy -nice" with Macedonia

United States Sees Progress, Challenges in Macedonia - US Department of State

United States Sees Progress, Challenges in Macedonia

Ambassador Stephan Minikes addresses OSCE Permanent Council

Although Macedonia has made undeniable progress in recent years, the country remains in transition and faces some serious challenges, according to U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Stephan Minikes.

Corruption, organized crime, money laundering, discrimination against women and minorities, and electoral shortcomings were the challenges cited by Minikes, who addressed the OSCE Permanent Council April 21. He was responding to a report by Ambassador Carlos Pais, head of the OSCE Spillover Mission to Skopje.

Minikes congratulated the people of Macedonia for rejecting an anti-centralization referendum in October 2004, thereby signaling their commitment “to creating an integrated, multi-ethnic, democratic country on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration.”

“The question is not if Macedonia will join Euro-Atlantic organizations, but when,” said Minikes. “But this is a question that only Macedonia's government and people can answer by demonstrating clearly the will to push through the tough reforms that are still required.”