Letter to John Kerry, Secretary of State - Macedonia's Membership in NATO

Letter

Dear Secretary Kerry,

Given the current sensitive issues engulfing our ally Macedonia, we urge you to continue to advocate for Macedonia's membership in NATO. We believe that now is the time to act, before it may be too late.

In the 24 years since Macedonia gained its independence, it has sought out a strong partnership with the United States and NATO. By 2008, Macedonia fulfilled meaningful reforms both necessary and sufficient to join NATO. However, Macedonia still has not been invited into NATO, despite widespread approval from all but one member of the Alliance. Through its engagement in NATO-led missions in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and the U.S.-led mission in Iraq, Macedonia has time and again proven that it is an ally of the United States.

In recent years we have seen a steady reverse of implemented reforms, a decline of democratic institutions, and political turmoil within the Macedonian government. We are concerned that this may be attributed to the abrupt halt to Macedonia's NATO accession. It is our belief that the genuine prospect of NATO membership for Macedonia will strengthen its democratic institutions and values and increase the stability and security in the region, benefiting all of Macedonia's neighbors. In contrast, failure to recognize and reward Macedonia's efforts will continue to discourage further democratic reforms and weaken its commitment to partnering with Euro-Atlantic institutions. This is of particular concern due to the recent increase in Russian influence in the region. U.S. engagement with Macedonia should be bolstered before the country declines any further.

The United States and its allies have reached a critical point in which action is necessary to ensure NATO's future relevance and viability. A diplomatic mission to visit Macedonia would be a strong show of the U.S.'s support for the people of Macedonia. Please know that we stand ready to work with you to ensure Macedonia's accession into NATO.

Sincerely,

(Signatories include Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr., Candice S. Miller, Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Yvette Clarke, Curt Clawson, Emanuel Cleaver II, Gerald E. Connolly, Paul Cook, Donna F. Edwards, Alcee Hastings, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Tom Marino, Collin Peterson, Bobby Rush, Steve Stivers and Peter Visclosky.)