Skopje, 8 July 2022 (MIA) - Priority projects that can be implemented with funds and investments from the United States as well as ways to expand the cooperation successfully conducted with USAID for more than two decades were discussed during Friday's coordination meeting of Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj with USAID Mission Director James Stein. The United States, North Macedonia's strategic partner, since the declaration of independence has invested over half a billion US dollars in development aid, Marichikj stressed, according to a press release from his office. "Through USAID, important aid has been provided for the development of entrepreneurship, improvement of competitiveness, more efficient public administration and improvement of the business environment, reforms in the judiciary, the fight against corruption, and continuous support for reform implementation," said the Deputy PM. Marichikj and Stein concluded that the Strategic Dialogue is a vital step toward improving the overall cooperation of North Macedonia with the United States, said the press release. "It is important also in the future in a clear and effective way to coordinate all available financial resources, from EU funds to bilateral development programs, in order quickly and in the best possible way to implement vital and priority projects so as to improve the quality of living of all citizens in North Macedonia," said Marichikj.