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

◊ 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.

RFE/RL:  In this weekly radio interview we talk with U.S. Ambassador in Republic of Macedonia. Mr.Reeker for you, we could say that in a way you are a citizen of Skopje. How do you feel in Skopje?

Ambassador Reeker (in Macedonian): I like Skopje a lot. As an Ambassador of United States of America, I`m here for a year already and it presents a great honor for me and for my wife to represent America in Macedonia and to continue with the important work for America and for Macedonia as well.

RFE/RL:  The United States is supporting a compromise with Greece in order for Macedonia to be able to become a member of NATO. After the elections in Greece there is an expectation to resume talks. Do you think it is time for a direct U.S role in the negotiations?

Ambassador Reeker:  I think the United Nations mediation process an effort led by Ambassador Nimitz is indeed a proper form for helping to find the solution to this long-standing problem to find the resolution that is acceptable to both countries. We believe that the resolution is possible and we continue to land our support to both countries and to Ambassador Nimitz to see that this issue be resolved as quickly as possible. As you pointed out, with the end of the elections in Greece and of course the elections that took place in Macedonia  earlier this year now is the time for both countries to sit down together  and find a solution. We cannot do this for you this has to be something that Greece and Macedonia resolves together.

RFE/RL:  You just returned from a trip to the states with President Ivanovski.  What can you tell me about your time there?

Ambassador Reeker:  I was very pleased to see my President Obama whose representative I’m, met President Ivanov at the reception that President Obama hosted for the heads of state and of course as you noted deputy secretary Steinberg had a bilateral meeting with President Ivanov and we were able to discuss issues in the region. The deputy secretary had been here earlier this year shortly after President Ivanov became a President and the deputy secretary congratulated him on leadership he has shown in that time and we feel as a better atmosphere that has been created in moving forward on issues like the name issue so the we can move forward on resolution of that which will be very important for Macedonia’s future.

RFE/RL:  Do you think the government timely reacted on the situation with the interethnic relations after the publication of the MANU Encyclopedia?

Ambassador Reeker:  I think what is important here is that we saw the leader of largest predominately ethnic Albanian political party sit down together with its coalition partner the Prime Minister and the leader of the largest predominately ethnic Macedonian party to discuss and express their commitment to proceeding and promoting with a multiethnic state which is Macedonia. Indeed the diversity in this country is it greatest strength we have said that for a long time and I think both of the leaders indeed showed the leadership in coming together in pushing for an end to the circle of insults and threats which only serve to disrupt the positive direction for this country and I think we saw Mr.Ahmeti and Mr.Gruevski together take a stand for the best possible future of Macedonia instead of going backwards and second guessing things that have already happened and I commend both leaders for that.

RFE/RL:  Do you believe that in the Macedonian society there are structures which don’t wants good interethnic relations and quick NATO and EU integration of the country?

Ambassador Reeker:  Well, it seems clearly to me that overwhelming majority of citizens in this country want secure prosperous, peaceful future in Europe part of the transatlantic family of nations anchored in the NATO and EU and indeed all the poll data shows consistently that there is over 90 percent support for Macedonia entry in to both NATO and the European Union. Obviously I think everybody here wants harmonious interethnic relations. Macedonia is still in transition and that means tensions can be inevitable in many levels, but we need to use constructive dialogue and use the Institutions that this country has as well as the support of the International community to get through these periods of tensions. The best way forward is to continue on this path towards full integration into the transatlantic structures, that certainly is United States gold and supporting Macedonia and I believe that is the gold of vast majority of citizens in Macedonia. You cannot let individuals who may wish to pursue their own agendas to disrupt that and I think that’s what leaders in this country are demonstrating.

RFE/RL:  What is the position of Macedonia and Balkan globally?

Ambassador Reeker:  I think the  United States is held for a long time that Balkans are the part of Europe and our overwhelming position in terms of Europe in terms of foreign policy and our security policy has been our desire to see the Europe whole, free and in peace. That has been a phrase that has been used and supported by every president of the United States since the time of Roosevelt in the end of the Second World War and we have put forward our treasure and our blood and our great efforts to work with our partners to see that to be the case. The Balkans are the part of that and we must continue to work to see that they too, the countries of the Balkan region are fully integrated into the transatlantic family of nations because that we have seen through countless examples is the key towards the stable and prosperous Europe which is the gold for all of us particularly now in the 21 century.

RFE/RL:  What do you think about relations between Macedonia and Kosovo Macedonia has recognized Kosovo, however Skopje and Pristina have not yet established diplomatic ties?

Ambassador Reeker:  I think Macedonia and Kosovo have a strong relationship that’s clear and obvious since you are the closest neighbor in many ways just a short distance of the road from Skopje, the personal connections, the trade ,the exchange that go on  between the two countries are very important and I think those relations will continue to Improve over the years like any neighbors there are differences, there are issues that need to be work out through dialogue through diplomacy but I commend both countries for a keeping open good line of communication and we certainly are hopeful that full diplomatic relations can be established between the countries in the very near future.

RFE/RL:  The United States have invested over a billion dollars in all kinds of reform projects in Macedonia. Are you satisfied with the outcomes of these investments?

Ambassador Reeker:  I think our assistance has been extremely effective in many areas less so in others. I worked with Macedonian military for instance helped the military and civilian structures meet NATO standards and was clear in 2008 when all the members of NATO agreed that Macedonia met the criteria for NATO membership. In the financial Sector our work was crucial in helping Macedonia to qualify and become a full member of the World Trade Organization. It’s important to remember that business need clear rules and guidelines and they need to know that is a level plain field and without confirmation of that they are going to be reluctant to invest here. The area of rule of law is part that and we are nearing completion working with Macedonian authorities on installation of an electronic case management system for all of the courts in Macedonia.

Those are areas we will continue to work on where I like to see more progress in the future. One area we were concern about was that we trained a number of Macedonians with specials skill and abilities only to see them brought back to Macedonia after the training and then replaced when the political climate in the country changed. This was a waste of our resources, waste of the training and money we were spending and frankly was a waste of expertise that Macedonia could use. I’m very pleased that we recently worked closely with the government to develop a Memorandum of Understanding that I signed last month with the deputy Prime Minister that would put an end to this practice of replacing civil servants just because of the change in the political climate.