Skopje, 12 September 2025 (MIA) -- Ever since the first days of independence, the United States has helped the Macedonian nation become stronger, freer and more prosperous, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said in his remarks at an event celebrating 30 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries held Friday evening in Skopje.

The ceremony was attended by President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, government ministers, lawmakers, mayors, diplomats, army members, businesspeople and representatives of religious communities.

"Today we celebrate 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our country and the US — three decades of partnership that has helped the Macedonian people become stronger, freer and more prosperous," FM Mucunski said. 

"Since the first days of independence, the Macedonian people felt that the US stood by them. In key moments, that support was decisive. We especially remember the 2004 decision to recognize our constitutional name, an act that left a deep mark in the hearts of the Macedonian people and confirmed that our democracy and our independence are important," he said.

Mucunski also pointed to the Declaration of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation of 2008 and the Strategic Dialogue of 2022, which paved the way for stronger cooperation in security, economy, energy and education.

In her remarks, US Ambassador Angela Aggeler said the United States and the Republic of North Macedonia had formalized a partnership based on trust and mutual respect for democratic values three decades ago. 

Since then, she said, the two countries showed the world what could be achieved through strength, compromise and patient determination. 

"And we have shown what friendship and cooperation look like," Ambassador Aggeler said, highlighting the importance of hard work and mutual respect in nurturing bilateral relations. 

Aggeler said the two countries' troops trained together in Krivolak and fought side by side in Iraq and Afghanistan, while US investments helped create more jobs and US academic programs empowered the next generation of local entrepreneurs and civic leaders.

She also said bilateral ties had made both countries stronger, safer and more prosperous. She said this partnership would further help expand trade, boost the fight against corruption, stimulate digital transformation and ensure the construction of energy infrastructure supportive of independence and progress. mr/