The White House
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
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For Immediate Release February 9, 1994
U.S. RECOGNITION OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Today, the United States extended formal recognition to The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and declared its intent to
establish full diplomatic relations. The President conveyed this
decision in a letter delivered in Skopje to President Gligorov.
This move is in recognition of the democratic expression of the
citizens of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to
establish a sovereign and independent state based on democratic
principles. This action will help promote stability in the
region. We join nearly every other country of Europe in taking
this step.
In extending formal recognition, we have taken into account The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's commitment to peaceful
cooperative relations and its respect for the territorial
integrity of all of its neighbors and the inviolability of
existing boundaries. Establishment of diplomatic relations will
take place upon receipt of assurances regarding matters of
importance to the U.S., including respect for CSCE norms and
principles, enforcement of UN imposed sanctions against Serbia
and Montenegro, and a commitment to work constructively with the
United Nations to resolve differences with our long time ally
Greece.
We recognize that Greece and The Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia have outstanding differences which we expect will be
resolved through good faith negotiations. We further expect that
our recognizing The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will
encourage flexibility in addressing the symbolic and
constitutional issues which separate the two parties so that they
can overcome the problems that stand in the way of a normal
bilateral relationship. We believe that lasting peace and
stability in the Balkans depends on states' mutual respect and
adherence to CSCE principles. We also take note of The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's commitment to democratic
principles, to human rights, to the creation of an open, free
market economy and to its desire to seek peaceful solutions to
problems in the region.