Skopje, 21 September 2023 (MIA) - Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi met Thursday with U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Aggeler, discussing the current political and economic developments in the country, as well as efforts towards implementing reforms in public finance management and the fight against corruption. 

"The Republic of North Macedonia is at a significant point where it needs to show maturity and continue on the path to full-fledged EU membership. Negotiations with the EU are open, and we should seize every opportunity to take that path step by step as soon as possible, because the benefits of EU membership are numerous for both the country and the citizens. In achieving our goal, we have significant support from our longstanding partner and supporter, the United States, especially in terms of the support in the reforms we are implementing," Besimi pointed out. 

He highlighted commitment to ensuring fiscal sustainability, stable public finances and long-term growth, adding that more steps are being taken to achieve this, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release. 

The Finance Minister extended gratitude to the United States for the staunch support to the country in its development, and particularly the support from the U.S. Treasury, whose experts are already in the Ministry of Finance in order to strengthen the capacities of the Treasury sector. 

"Continuous work is underway on strengthening our own capacities in order to contribute to promoting public finance management. For this purpose, last year we passed the new Law on Budgets, which is the biggest reform in public finance since the country's independence, and which sets rules that are in line with European standards," reads the press release. 

Photo: Ministry of Finance