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“SUPPORT H. RES. 56, AFFIRMING THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR MACEDONIA'S ACCESSION TO NATO” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E295 on March 3, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUPPORT H. RES. 56, AFFIRMING THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR
MACEDONIA'S ACCESSION TO NATO
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HON. CANDICE S. MILLER
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans, and as someone who represents a district home to the largest community of Macedonian-Americans in our nation, to introduce H. Res. 56, affirming strong U.S. support for Macedonia joining NATO, and recognize the strategic U.S. partnership with our friend and ally Macedonia.
The U.S.-Macedonia relationship is one of critical importance in today's increasingly volatile world. Macedonia is strategically located in Southeast Europe, providing a unique gateway for rapid deployment to the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe in order to maintain regional stability as various national security challenges arise. Our friendship with Macedonia has never been more critical.
The U.S. has a vested interest in the stability and security of Macedonia and Southeast Europe. In the 1990s, we sent troops to the northern border of Macedonia to ensure stability in the aftermath of the breakup of Yugoslavia. Due in part to this American commitment, Macedonia was the only nation to peacefully declare independence without any bloodshed. Since then, the U.S. has assisted Macedonia on its path to partnership in Europe and across the Atlantic alike, with a track record of military, economic, and political support ever since.
In 1999, Macedonia opened its borders to 400,000 refugees from Kosovo and hosted the NATO Logistical Support Center for Kosovo Forces. In 2001, Macedonia was one of the first countries to offer support to the United States after the horrific attacks of September 11, abiding by the words of the late Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski that ``an attack on the United States is an attack on Macedonia.''
Since 2002, Macedonia has contributed greatly to the U.S. and ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Macedonia has patrolled ISAF headquarters in Kabul, was the fourth and fifth largest ISAF troop contributor per capita, contributed troops to the NATO-led ISAF mission, and engaged in combat operations side-by-side with American troops. Currently, Macedonia has been recognized as an operational partner in the new
``Resolute Support'' Mission in Afghanistan to train, advise, and assist our Afghan partners.
For their participation in U.S. and NATO-led missions, Macedonian soldiers have received 120 medals and military honors from the United States. Furthermore, Macedonia has been an active participant--and the first state partner--with the Vermont National Guard for the past 20 years, and, since 1995, more than 3,000 Macedonians and Vermonters have shared their expertise in more than 800 events as the partnership has developed, including a joint military embedment in Afghanistan in 2011.
I have long noted that Macedonia can protect the tent of NATO in places like Afghanistan, but it cannot sleep in the tent so long as it is not a member of the Treaty Organization. This is not right.
With what is happening in the world today, now is not the time to back down on supporting our allies. H. Res. 56 calls on the Administration, Department of State, and European allies to work with Greece and NATO allies to ensure that bilateral disputes do not impede Macedonia's NATO accession for the sake of regional stability in light of the current situation with Ukraine and elsewhere.
Time and again, Macedonia has shown steadfast support for the efforts of the United States to restore and maintain global stability. Macedonia is one of America's best friends in Southeast Europe.
But, Macedonia needs our support. It is long overdue that we use our diplomatic strength to reinforce our allies, and including Macedonia in the greatest military alliance in history is an important step in securing U.S. interests and maintaining this crucial partnership well into the future.
I encourage my colleagues in this House to support H. Res. 56 and affirm strong U.S. support for Macedonia joining NATO.
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