Interviews 2009

Ambassador  Philip T. Reeker / (LP) - RFE/RL video footage. ALSAT video footage (8.9MB) -

Ambassador Philip T. Reeker interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)

October 6, 2009

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty interviewed Ambassador Reeker to discuss political and policy issues. Regarding the name issue, Ambassador Reeker encourages Macedonia and Greece to sit down together and find a solution for the name dispute. ”We cannot do this for you. This has to be something that Greece and Macedonia resolve together,” emphasized Ambassador Reeker. The Ambassador highlighted the substantial American aid programs to Macedonia, indicating that the U.S. has invested in judicial reform and that Rule of Law is critical to economic development.

◊ To read the text of the interview, please click here.
◊ View the [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) video footage] of the interview.
◊ View the ALSAT TV video footage – subtitled in Albanian (WMV file, size 8.9MB) of the interview.

Amb.  Philip T. Reeker

Reflecting on 10 years of Kapital 
Ambassador Philip T. Reeker interview with KAPITAL

September 17, 2009

Ambassador Reeker sat down with Kapital Magazine to discuss the current situation in Macedonia and reflect on his time in the country. He spoke about the need to continue reforms aimed at Euro Atlantic integration and how this will improve the business climate for both domestic and international investors.

◊ To see the text of the interview, please click here.

Ambassador  Philip T. Reeker / (LP)

Ambassador Reeker Gives Interview to Stit, Magazine of the Macedonian Ministry of Defense

August 20, 2009

The new magazine of the Macedonian Defense Ministry, Stit (Shield) features an interview with Ambassador Reeker. With the headline, “We are Looking Forward to Welcoming Macedonia as Full NATO Member,” Ambassador Reeker discusses developments in the process of Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, the name issue, U.S. policy towards Macedonia, Macedonian Army participation in multi-national troops, and bilateral military cooperation. He also discusses his impressions of Macedonia over the last decade since his last tour in Skopje and how the arc of his career has brought him back to Macedonia.

◊  To see a transcript of the interview (as published in Macedonian/PDF file), please click here.

Ambassador Reeker chats with the participant’s at the UMD Global Conference. /

Interview with Ambassador Reeker during UMD Global Conference

June 13, 2009

It’s been a great honor for me to participate in this first ever Global Conference of the United Macedonian Diaspora. I think it has been a great opportunity for Macedonians from all around the world and of course, from many parts of the United States to come together to meet with friends, to meet with colleagues, to make new friends, discus the Macedonian heritage and their interest in Macedonia, and also to discus the challenges that Macedonia faces and how we can all work together to help. The United States of course, remains Macedonia’s best friend as we are trying since Macedonia’s independence to help provide assistance and direction and together we can face the many challenges that we all face in the twenty first century world. I think it’s great that UMD has put together this conference. I think it’s great that UMD has brought together many diverse organizations representing different Macedonian communities around the United States and around the world, because together they can all help Macedonia as I said to deal with the problems it faces, to become more a secure, more stable, more prosperous country.

- [(UMD) United Macedonian Diaspora  Channel].

Ambassador Reeker talks to Dnevnik Foreign Affairs Editor Hristo Ivanovski. LP

Ambassador Reeker Discusses with Dnevnik His Upcoming Trip to Washington, the Name Issue, and other Relevant Topics

June 8, 2009

Ambassador Reeker: “I will go Tuesday to Washington and have lot of meetings there.  I will participate at the United Macedonian Diaspora Conference, which is, they told me, the first such event. I think it is a global event and they want to make it an annual event, so I’m pleased to be a part of that.“ …full text.

Ambassador Reeker discusses the forth- coming second round of the presidential and local elections with ALSAT reporter.  (LP) / - (WMV-size 6.06 MB)

Ambassador Reeker Cautions against Intimidation

April 2, 2009

In an interview with Alsat television where he discussed the second round of the presidential and local elections,  Ambassador Philip Reeker voiced concern about reports of pressure and intimidation of voters. 

◊  To see a transcript of the interview, please click here.

◊  Link to Alsat TV website: Macedonian | Albanian.

◊  To see excerpts of the interview (Alsat video footage/WMV file - size 6.06 MB), please click here.

Ambassador Reeker talks to Kanal 77 reporter (LP)

Discussing Elections before the Media Blackout

March 20, 2009

In an interview with Kanal 77 Radio, Ambassador Reeker reiterated the messages he delivered at his meetings with candidates, party leaders and citizens about the importance of the upcoming elections. He also spoke about the name issue and the assistance that the United States provides to Macedonia through USAID. The Ambassador also answered questions related to his past career as a spokesperson. To see a transcript of the interview, please click here.

Ambassador Reeker discusses elections in Macedonia with the chief editor of Utrinski Vesnik (LP)

Discussing the Future with Utrinski Vesnik

March 14, 2009

Ambassador Reeker recently sat down to talk with Utrinski Vesnik editor Ljupco Popovski to discuss the upcoming elections and the challenges that face Macedonia as it works to attain its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as well as press freedom in Macedonia. 

◊ To see a transcript of the interview, please click here.

APAO Amy Storrow's Interview with Lajm

APAO Amy Storrow on the Obama Presidency with Lajm

February 11, 2009

In an Interview with Lajm daily in the Albanian language, Assistant Public Affairs Officer Amy Storrow spoke about President Obama’s first 100 days in office and his commitment to working closely with Muslims from all nations, the significance of the executive order to close Guantanamo Bay, President Obama’s first foreign press interview with Al Arabiya TV, and the appointment of George Mitchell as Special Envoy to the Middle East. She also emphasized that the Obama administration will continue to have very strong relationships with all of the countries in the region and that we will continue to work to secure the best possible future for all who live in the Balkans. To see a transcript of the interview, please click here.

 

Consul Lauren May talks to A1 TV reporter - A1 TV video footage - 3.4MB

Consul Clarifies Visa Issues and Discusses the Electronic System for Travel Authorization

January 5, 2009

In an interview with A1 TV on January 5, Consular Section Chief Lauren May discussed the criteria that countries must meet for eligibility in the visa waiver program and explained where Macedonia stands in that regard. One key reason why Macedonia has not yet been considered for the visa waiver program is because too many travelers from Macedonia do not return from the U.S on time. Consul May also reviewed the procedures for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for travelers from visa waiver countries.
◊ To view the interview, please click here (A1 TV video footage - size 3.4 MB).