Speeches, Remarks & Statements in 2009

Ambassador Reeker and Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Vasko Naumovski sign the Memorandum of Understanding. (LP)  - MTV1 footage - size 4.56MB

Protecting a Valuable Investment
Remarks by Ambassador Philip T. Reeker at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

September 15, 2009

◊ To read a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding, please click here.

◊ To view local coverage (MTV 1 video footage- WMV file, size 4.56MB) of this event, please click here.

◊ To see more photos from the event please click here.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Naumovski,

It is an honor for me to be here today as the personal representative of President Barack Obama to sign this important agreement between the United States and Macedonia. 

This agreement will protect the United States’ investment in Macedonia by ensuring that people trained through our assistance programs remain in positions where their training can be used.  It will also help Macedonia achieve its full potential by harnessing the power of a professional and capable civil service.  

Since Macedonia’s independence, the United States has invested over $1 billion dollars to support the development of this country.  Without a doubt, our most important investment has been in the people of this country.  Training for teachers, police, judges, prosecutors and soldiers brings exponential benefits to the country.  Trained individuals can implement new and better systems in their workplace thereby improving the way the government works.  They can share their new knowledge with colleagues and leave a positive legacy of change in the fields where they work. 

Obviously, this is not possible if they are removed from their positions each time the political winds change.  Today I commend the government for taking this enormous step towards ending that practice.    

This Memorandum of Understanding provides a framework to ensure that those who have participated in US funded training are retained in appropriate positions that utilize their skills where they can have the most impact.

It will help ensure that capable and qualified staff remains in place to serve the citizens even when there is a change of government.

As I said at the beginning, this is good for both you and us as we work to attain shared objectives.   

We both want to see Macedonia fully integrated into the Euro Atlantic Community. 

We both want to provide the best possible present and future for the citizens of this country. 

We both want to fully develop this country’s richest resource: its citizens. 

We both are taking an important step towards achieving these shared goals with our actions today. 

Thank you.