The United States welcomes the European Council's decision to grant Macedonia candidate-state status for the European Union.

“We congratulate the government and people of Macedonia for the tremendous progress the country has made in the last four years.

Although much work remains to be done, attaining candidate status is an important milestone on Macedonia's road to membership in the EU.  We urge the government of Macedonia to redouble its efforts to implement the judicial, economic, electoral and other reforms needed to realize their country's full integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The EU decision sends a positive message not only to Macedonia but to all countries of the Balkans that their future lies in a Europe that is whole, free and at peace”, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said Tuesday.