A resolution congratulating the people of North Macedonia on the 34th anniversary of their independence and celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between North Macedonia and the United States.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 399 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 399

Congratulating the people of North Macedonia on the 34th anniversary of 
 their independence and celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic 
        relations between North Macedonia and the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 17 (legislative day, September 16), 2025

  Mr. Welch (for himself, Mr. Tillis, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Ricketts) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                          on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Congratulating the people of North Macedonia on the 34th anniversary of 
 their independence and celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic 
        relations between North Macedonia and the United States.

Whereas the Republic of North Macedonia peacefully asserted and achieved 
        independent statehood on September 8, 1991, and has since become a 
        secure, democratic, and prosperous country and a key United States ally 
        and strategic partner in the Western Balkans;
Whereas North Macedonia affirmed its commitment to joining the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1993, adopted major defense reforms, built 
        a modern, professional defense force, and became the 30th NATO alliance 
        member on March 27, 2020;
Whereas, in 1993, the State of Vermont and North Macedonia established a 
        partnership under the National Guard State Partnership Program;
Whereas, in 1995, the United States and North Macedonia established full 
        diplomatic relations;
Whereas, in 2008, the United States signed a Declaration of Strategic 
        Partnership and Cooperation with North Macedonia;
Whereas, in June 2022, North Macedonia held a strategic dialogue with the United 
        States, marking a significant bilateral milestone and step toward 
        implementation of the Declaration of Strategic Partnership and 
        Cooperation;
Whereas, on May 29, 2025, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with 
        North Macedonia Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timco 
        Mucunski, commended the strong relationship between the two countries, 
        and highlighted mutual interests in regional stability, economic 
        cooperation, and NATO;
Whereas North Macedonia has demonstrated its importance to the European Union 
        and the United States as a security partner and NATO ally, providing 
        Ukraine with humanitarian aid and considerable military equipment, 
        voting in favor of United Nations Security Council and General Assembly 
        resolutions against Russian aggression, and adopting all European Union 
        sanctions on the Russian Federation;
Whereas the resolution of the naming dispute between Greece and North Macedonia 
        paved the way for North Macedonia's NATO membership and candidacy for 
        membership in the European Union;
Whereas the Government of North Macedonia has demonstrated its commitment to 
        Euro-Atlantic integration through alignment with the Common Foreign and 
        Security Policy of the European Union; and
Whereas September 8, 2025, marks the 34th anniversary of the independence of 
        North Macedonia, a moment to reflect on the country's achievements in 
        establishing and maintaining a resilient democracy in the service of the 
        freedom and prosperity of the people of North Macedonia: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) extends congratulations and best wishes to the people 
        of North Macedonia as they celebrate the 34th anniversary of 
        their independence;
            (2) honors the bond of friendship between the United States 
        and North Macedonia and the shared values of freedom, 
        democracy, and good governance;
            (3) recognizes the cooperation between the State of Vermont 
        and North Macedonia and the partnership between the Vermont 
        National Guard and the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia;
            (4) appreciates North Macedonia's continued commitment to 
        the Prespa Agreement;
            (5) honors five years of shared security, collective 
        defense, and joint military alliance with North Macedonia as a 
        member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization;
            (6) appreciates North Macedonia's active role in fostering 
        peace and stability in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans 
        and advancing democratic reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration, 
        and its alignment with positions of the European Union and the 
        United States on security and foreign policy; and
            (7) looks toward many more decades of shared prosperity, 
        peace, cooperation, and friendship.
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