Skopje, 11 January 2023 (MIA) – The sanctions list or the so-called “black list” was not discussed with U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet at today’s meeting but energy security, economic crisis management, North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairmanship, EU integration, fight against corruption and rule of law, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Wednesday.

PM Kovachevski said the U.S. strategy on countering corruption notes all the activities that are undertaken regarding the rule of law and fight against corruption within the United States but also in partner-countries, including North Macedonia.

“We are a partner-country and that black list is there for those individuals operating contrary to the good governance practices but also who prevent the path towards a fully democratic society, namely EU integration, rule of law and democracy,” said Kovachevski.

The PM added that the meeting with the State Department Counselor was significant because it came at a key time for the region but also Europe, considering the war in Ukraine and North Macedonia’s 2023 OSCE Chairmanship.

“Regarding the Strategic Dialogue, which next meeting is set to take place in the first half of 2023, it will also tackle the aspects of rule of law and countering corruption. We discussed the progress that was made in 2022 and previous years but also the tasks ahead, so that we achieve the rule of law as seen in EU, which we aspire to join by 2030,” said Kovachevski.

Kovachevski and Chollet also referred to North Macedonia’s European path, the importance of political stability in the country and implementation of reforms, as well as decisions aimed at integrating the country in the EU and the constitutional changes.

“Of course, we discussed the constitutional revision, which is one of the decisions that we have to make on our path to full-fledged EU membership. The U.S. have been our strategic partner since our independence and always supported these decisions, including the start of the Union accession negotiations and the NATO membership,” said Kovachevski.

Discussions also referred to the management of the economic and energy crisis, including the uninterrupted supply of electricity, a process in which the U.S. and Counselor Chollet provided enormous support.

“This cooperation will continue through the implementation of the Government measures incorporated in the 2023 Budget, but also activities related to the country’s energy transformation and independence, an issue that was not tackled by politicians over the past three decades,” said Kovachevski.

On the OSCE Chairmanship, the PM said the war in Ukraine would be high on the agenda, with a scheduled visit to Kiev in the next 30 days, where he will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky.