Skopje, 22 January 2026 (MIA) - Before leaving North Macedonia, U.S. Ambassador Angela Aggeler posted an open letter on social media saying that the citizens deserve to be the country they wish to be, and she leaves with trust in their strength and courage to accomplish it. She emphasizes that the United States will always be by our side and will share in our dream of becoming a stronger, more prosperous, safer and fully integrated Euro-Atlantic partner and ally.

“Three years ago, I arrived in Skopje as the tenth U.S. Ambassador to this beautiful country. I was, and still am, humbled and deeply honored by the extraordinary privilege of representing my great nation in yours. When I stepped into this role, I said that I had enormous faith in the strength and courage of the people of North Macedonia. Since then, that faith has been justified, renewed, and strengthened time and again. I also said that I believed strongly that the time to make a real difference - to strengthen economic growth, energy independence, judicial integrity, educational excellence, cultural resilience, and European integration - was now.  In some areas, working closely together, we have made real progress. In others, work remains,” Ambassador Aggeler said in an open letter to Macedonian citizens.

2025 marked the 30th anniversary of the U.S.-Macedonian bilateral relationship, though our partnership goes back further.  

“For over three decades, we’ve shown the world-together-what strength, compromise, and patient resolve can achieve. And over the last three years, we have shown the very real and tangible results of what genuine friendship and constructive partnership look like. It looks like a realistic plan for meeting NATO contribution goals as a serious Alliance partner; acquiring sophisticated tactical vehicles that are deployed in major multinational military exercises in Krivolak or in NATO partner countries. It looks like significant progress on the country’s largest infrastructure project to date, which will open NATO strategic corridors 8 and 10 to greater regional security and vastly enhanced trade between neighbors. It is calling out corruption and criminal organizations, contributing to judicial reform when the return on investment has been meager, and sanctioning those who have stolen from you for years with impunity. It is working to create opportunity and hope in communities where both have faded. It is pushing for real economic growth, genuine progress on infrastructure and energy projects, and cooperating to secure feasibility studies that facilitate development of rare earth mineral resources, cyber security, and responsible environmental management. It is collaborating on technology, health care, transportation, intelligence, and education. It is preserving your cultural heritage with the reverence it deserves as a global treasure. And we made progress on many of these,” Aggeler said.

In these three years, she adds, our partnership developed into a genuine and deep friendship with so many of you whom I have met across the country. 

“You welcomed me into your schools, churches, courtrooms, your homes, your farms and wineries. Sometimes we have had difficult, frank conversations on issues that matter deeply to both our countries, and we haven’t always agreed, which is OK. And you have shared your dreams, your vision for this country that you hold dear, your frustrations, and even your grief at the loss of those you loved. I will always treasure the stories, dreams, vision, wisdom, frustrations, and the joy! – that you shared with me,” Aggeler said.

There is something magical about this country - its astonishing beauty, its history, traditions, cultures; its contradictions, and the remarkable resilience and surprising humor of its people in the face of great challenges and profound loss.

“You have shared all those things with me, and I leave North Macedonia with a sense of overwhelming gratitude for your many kindnesses, for your bounteous generosity, and for the strength I know you have to overcome any obstacle placed in your way. The United States will ALWAYS be by your side, believing as so many of you do, in the dream that is a stronger, more prosperous, safer, fully integrated Euro-Atlantic partner and ally. I leave you with a final message of hope; this is your country and you each deserve for it to be the country you dream it can be. After three years, I still cherish the enormous faith I hold in the strength and courage of the people of North Macedonia. Be well, be brave, be strong, and I will be cheering for you at each step,” Ambassador Angela Aggeler said in an open letter to Macedonian citizens.

Photo: MIA archive