Supporting the agreement between Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece and Prime Minister Zaev of Macedonia to resolve longstanding bilateral disputes. 

Supporting the agreement between Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece and Prime Minister Zaev of Macedonia to resolve longstanding bilateral disputes. Whereas, on June 17, 2018, Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras and Prime Minister of Macedonia Zoran Zaev signed an agreement to officially change the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia Republic of North Macedonia Whereas, on June 12, 2018, the United States Department of State congratulated Prime Ministers Tsipras and Zaev and welcomed their historic agreement to resolve the name dispute; Whereas, on June 12, 2018, the European Unions High Representative for Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the European Unions Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, issued a joint statement wholeheartedly congratulating Prime Ministers Tsipras and Zaev, their teams, and the people of the two countries, and further reaffirming that the European Union perspective of the Western Balkans remains the most stabilizing force for the region; Whereas, on June 12, 2018, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, This historic agreement is testament to many years of patient diplomacy, and to the willingness of these two leaders to solve a dispute which has affected the region for too long. Whereas the agreement paves the way for Macedonia to begin accession talks to join NATO and the European Union; Whereas, on July 5, 2018, Macedonias parliament ratified the agreement to rename the country as the Republic of North Macedonia, Whereas Russia consistently seeks to undermine agreements that enhance European cohesion, broaden the NATO alliance, or strengthen transatlantic partnerships; Whereas the Governments of both Greece and Macedonia have accused Russia of meddling in their domestic affairs to undermine the name agreement, including by organizing public protests and deepening ties with nationalist organizations; Whereas, on July 11, 2018, the Government of Greece announced the expulsion of two Russian diplomats and barred the entry of two additional Russian diplomats due to their involvement in funding public protests to undermine the name deal; Whereas Greece is a longstanding NATO member and valued United States ally, contributing 2.6 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense and hosting United States Naval Support Activity at Souda Bay; Whereas Macedonia joined NATOs Partnership for Peace in 1995, joined NATOs Membership Action Plan in 1999, and is one of the largest per-capita troop contributors to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan; Whereas, on July 11, 2018, NATO allies formally invited Macedonia to begin accession talks to join the alliance under the name Republic of North Macedonia Whereas, on July 19, 2018, Macedonias parliament unanimously adopted a declaration supporting the countrys bid to join NATO: Now, therefore, be it Whereas, on June 17, 2018, Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras and Prime Minister of Macedonia Zoran Zaev signed an agreement to officially change the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia Republic of North Macedonia Whereas, on June 12, 2018, the United States Department of State congratulated Prime Ministers Tsipras and Zaev and welcomed their historic agreement to resolve the 27-year long name dispute; Whereas, on June 12, 2018, the European Unions High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the European Unions Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, issued a joint statement wholeheartedly congratulating Prime Ministers Tsipras and Zaev, their teams, and the people of the two countries, reaffirming that the European Union perspective of the Western Balkans remains the most stabilizing force for the region; Whereas, on June 12, 2018, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated, This historic agreement is testament to many years of patient diplomacy, and to the willingness of these two leaders to solve a dispute which has affected the region for too long. Whereas the agreement paves the way for Macedonia to begin accession talks to join NATO and the European Union; Whereas, on July 5, 2018, Macedonias parliament ratified the agreement to rename the country as the Republic of North Macedonia, Whereas Russia consistently seeks to undermine agreements that enhance European cohesion, broaden the NATO alliance, or strengthen transatlantic partnerships; Whereas the Governments of both Greece and Macedonia have accused the Russian Federation of meddling in their domestic affairs to undermine the name agreement, including by promoting public protests and deepening ties with nationalist organizations; Whereas, on July 11, 2018, the Government of Greece announced the expulsion of two Russian diplomats and barred the entry of two additional Russian diplomats due to their involvement in funding public protests to undermine the name deal; Whereas Greece is a longstanding NATO member and valued United States ally, contributing over 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to defense and hosting United States Naval Support Activity at Souda Bay; Whereas Macedonia joined NATOs Partnership for Peace in 1995, commenced NATOs Membership Action Plan in 1999, and is one of the largest per-capita troop contributors to the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan; Whereas, on July 11, 2018, NATO allies formally invited Macedonia to begin accession talks to join the alliance under the name Republic of North Macedonia Whereas, on July 19, 2018, Macedonias parliament unanimously adopted a declaration supporting the countrys bid to join NATO: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) welcomes the agreement between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia to resolve the name dispute and to strengthen bilateral relations for the benefit of both countries; (2) congratulates Prime Ministers Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev, Foreign Ministers Nikos Kotzias and Nikola Dimitrov, their teams, and the people of both countries for this historic achievement; (3) affirms that stability in southeastern Europe is an important United States national security interest; (4) condemns efforts by the Government of the Russian Federation to undermine the agreement and supports United States assistance to authorities in Athens and Skopje to counter malign Russian influence; (5) urges Macedonia to continue implementing important reforms as it seeks to join NATO and the European Union, including those related to protecting freedom of expression, strengthening the rule of law, and fighting corruption; and (6) encourages the United States Department of Commerce, Department of State, and other relevant agencies to support United States companies interested in investing in southeastern Europe. That the Senate (1) welcomes the agreement between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name dispute and to strengthen bilateral relations for the benefit of both countries; (2) congratulates Prime Ministers Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev, Foreign Ministers Nikos Kotzias and Nikola Dimitrov, their teams, and the people of both countries for this historic achievement; (3) affirms that stability in southeastern Europe is an important United States national security interest; (4) condemns efforts by the Government of the Russian Federation to undermine the agreement and supports United States assistance to authorities in Athens and Skopje to counter malign Russian influence; (5) urges Macedonia to continue implementing important reforms as it seeks to join NATO and the European Union, including those related to protecting freedom of expression, strengthening the rule of law, and fighting corruption; and (6) encourages the United States Department of Commerce, Department of State, and other relevant agencies to support United States companies interested in investing in southeastern Europe. October 1 (legislative day, September 28), 2018 Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the preamble

Summary: Welcomes the agreement between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name dispute by changing the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia. Condemns Russian efforts to undermine the agreement.