The United States of America yesterday congratulated the new Macedonian Government on its election and it welcomed the peaceful transition of power.

"This sends a positive signal to the region with regard to the progress that the democratic institutions in Macedonia have made since the country won independence in year 1991", states the statement of the US Embassy in Skopje.

The United States wished Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his Government a successful start to the implementation of the ambitious government program.

"We will support the Government's work in the development of economic prosperity, strengthening of the rule of law, full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and continuation with the other reforms for further progress of the Republic of Macedonia toward full integration into the Euro Atlantic institutions. The US Government will continue, with pleasure, to strengthen the already close relations with the Republic of Macedonia", stresses the statement.