The new US ambassador Kate Marie Byrnes who was proposed by President Donald Trump and whose appointment will have to be confirmed by the Senate is coming from Athens, where she works as the deputy ambassador, and as the US representative to OSCE in Vienna has already commented on events and the situation in the country.
In may last year, as the US representative to OSCE, Byrnes said that the US had called on authorities in Macedonia to take steps to ensure the safety of all members of Parliament, to investigate the attacks which occurred in Parliament on the 27th of April thoroughly and to find those responsible for organizing and ordering the attack.
– The United States calls on the authorities of Macedonia to take steps to ensure the security of all members of Parliament, to investigate the attacks thoroughly, and to hold accountable those who committed, organized or ordered acts of violence. The United States strongly condemns the violent attacks on members of Macedonia’s parliament, which followed the election of Talat Xhaferi as Speaker of Parliament. The United States will work with the new Speaker and the parliament to support democracy and help Macedonia move forward on its European path. Violence has no place in the democratic process. We express our deepest sympathies to those members of parliament and others injured in the attacks and their families. As a strategic partner and friend of Macedonia, and with full respect for its sovereignty and unity, the United States calls on all parties to put the interests of Macedonia and its citizens above all else, to work together constructively, and to fully implement all of their commitments under the Przino Agreement. We urge all parties to resolve any differences peacefully and respect Macedonia’s laws and democratic processes”, said Byrnes in her address.
Previously, in March during the same year, Byrnes said that the US were disappointed with Ivanov’s decision not to give the mandate for forming a government to the parliamentary majority.
-The United States was disappointed that President Ivanov declined to offer the opportunity to form a new government to representatives who have a clear parliamentary majority. We believe this action was inconsistent with OSCE commitments, basic democratic principles, and the rule of law, which are core values of this Organization – said Byrnes.
