Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration should have been completed long ago. This did not happen in Bucharest due to the name row with Greece. We believe there are solutions, relatively simple solutions that will remove the concerns of both sides, said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Reeker at the Southeast European Economic Forum, held in Washington.
Reeker, who addressed Tuesday's session of the forum, organized by the Center for Transatlantic Relations within Johns Hopkins University, said he thought Macedonia's integration would be completed long time ago, by the end of the 1990s, reports Voice of America in Macedonian Language.
He stressed there is no armed conflict between Greece and Macedonia, but a dispute that needs to be settled through leadership from both sides.
"There were ideas on the table, UN leads the process and would want to reach a solution. If you really want to go back to history, the Macedonian issue troubled not only people in the region, but also in Europe. We believe there is an answer to the issue, within the existing structure and borders - that is the answer", said Reeker.
According to him, an even better response is for all regional countries to be fully integrated in Euro-Atlantic institutions, without harming one's identity, history or fragile emotions in the process.
"The row is frustrating for many people. We will seriously take it into consideration and will not look at others imposing solutions, because this will not function", emphasized the U.S. official.
Reeker said the democratization of SEE countries gives their citizens voice and share in creating a better future and European integration, so that it is whole, free, and peaceful, which is the foundation of U.S. policy in this part of the world.
"Stability and progress are related to EU and NATO membership for the entire region. The U.S. policy was and will continue to be active in supporting these countries in achieving their Euro-Atlantic aspirations", assessed Reeker.
New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen emphasized there is no alternative to the region's European future, whereas Europe should not leave the Balkans aside.
"The region's complete integration in Europe will occur only if we cooperate", said the U.S. Senator.
Asked about Macedonia's NATO integration, regardless of the absence of the enlargement issue from the agenda of the coming Alliance summit in Chicago, Shaheen said it is important for Macedonia and Greece to reach a solution to the name issue.
"In the meantime, Macedonia can resume its progress towards NATO membership and deal with the required EU accession issues", she added.
Ambassador Kolinda Grabar, Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy and former Croatian Ambassador to the U.S, referred to the change of the region's image from a place of conflicts into a core of economic stability.
World Bank representatives warned on the fragile fiscal state of the region, although economic growth has surpassed expectations. They added that Macedonia has registered best progress in the field of business climate improvement, climbing from 96. spot in 2006 to 22. in 2012.
Macedonia's Ambassador to the United States Zoran Jolevski highlighted the need for foreign investments, underlining that over ninety percent of the country's population acknowledges the importance of investments, both for Macedonia and the region.
"Macedonia's business climate is continually improving, whereas the government's priorities are reforms, education and zero tolerance for corruption. The country is currently focused on investment-based development, but we also need to prepare societies for innovation-based development", said Ambassador Jolevski.
