Washington, 9 May 2023 (MIA) - The United States sees a staunch friend in North Macedonia, which is a highly valued ally in NATO at a time when that really means a lot, and we are grateful for the solidarity, the leadership in terms of Ukraine, for the help provided in defending it from Russian aggression, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken said late Monday.  

North Macedonia's Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, who is paying an official visit to Washington, met Monday with State Secretary Blinken. Ahead of the meeting, the two gave a media statement.   

"Relations between the United States and North Macedonia are multilateral, strong, and above all, based on values," PM Kovachevski said. 

He noted that "thanks to this strategic partnership, in the past decades, North Macedonia has been able to make very difficult but courageous decisions, and such visionary decisions brought the country in NATO, enabled the opening of accession negotiations with the European Union and the OSCE Chairmanship during the most difficult year in Europe after World War II".

Blinken pointed out that the United States deeply appreciates North Macedonia's leadership at this very difficult time for the OSCE, and thus, positively affects the situation.

He added that extensive discussions are ahead in terms of everything mentioned, as well as in terms of improving such things as greater energy security in the region and in North Macedonia. "Things that need to be done and are very vital in the fight against fake news and disinformation."

Kovachevski said that North Macedonia and the United States share the same system of values. 

"That is why we stand behind our decision to support Ukraine in its struggle for freedom and in its efforts to preserve sovereignty and territorial integrity. That is why we fully aligned our foreign policy with the foreign policy of the European Union, since day one of Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine. And we have proven ourselves as a reliable NATO partner," said Kovachevski.  

"North Macedonia values the United States as a close and reliable friend, as a NATO ally and a reliable partner on our path to membership in the European Union, and recognizes it is a factor of stability in the region," the Macedonian PM added.

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