The United States officially recognized Macedonia as an independent sovereign nation in 1994.  In 1995, the two countries established diplomatic relations under then Presidents Bill Clinton and KiroGligorov.  Christopher R. Hill became the first U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, and Ljubica Z. Acevska as the first Macedonian Ambassador to the U.S.  In 2004, the U.S. formally conveyed full diplomatic recognition to Macedonia by its constitutional and rightful name, the Republic of Macedonia, under then President George W. Bush. 

The United States and Macedonia enjoy excellent and strong bilateral relations based on shared values of peace, freedom, rule of law, and a free market economy.  In 2008, the United States and Macedonia signed a Declaration of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation enhancing their relations.  Click HERE to read the Declaration.

Macedonia has steadfastly stood by the United States in its missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. 

“You've showed the world that it's possible for people of different backgrounds to live together in peace,” said then-U.S. President George W. Bush in his meeting with Macedonian Prime Minister Buckovski on October 26, 2005.

“As a peace-loving member of the community of democratic nations, Macedonia did not want this war, but the regime of Hussein, despite the commitment of the international community did not leave any option but to be disarmed by force... I would like to take this opportunity to express the support of Macedonia, to the troops of the United States, the United Kingdom and other coalition forces who have put themselves in harm in order to accomplish the crucial task of disarming the regime of Saddam Hussein and bringing democracy to the long-oppressed people of Iraq,” said the late Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski, March 20, 2003.

“I look forward to the day when we can welcome Macedonia to the Alliance,” said current U.S. President Barack Obama on April 4, 2009 at the Strasbourg-Kehl NATO Summit.