Skopje, 4 January 2024 (MIA) — Strengthening cooperation with the United States on the country's European reforms and its national strategic priorities was the focus of the first meeting in 2024 between Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj and United States Ambassador Angela Aggeler on Thursday.

Deputy PM Marichikj expressed gratitude for the continuous political and economic support from the United States as a strategic partner and strong ally on the country's European path, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release.

Marichikj and Aggeler agreed that joint commitment to realizing North Macedonia's EU agenda was in the interest of all citizens of the country, the Western Balkans, Europe and the world, and that global events required paying attention and maintaining a stable region and strong partnership in the Western Balkans.

They also discussed next steps regarding political responsibility and investment in reforms in line with guidelines on the rule of law and public administration reforms according to the negotiating framework for North Macedonia adopted by the European Council on July 18, 2022.

The meeting highlighted the importance of using the current momentum to bring the country closer to the EU, including the partnership with the United States focused on ensuring support for promoting a prosperous, well-governed, and stable North Macedonia and its Euro-Atlantic integration.

According to the release, Marichikj and Aggeler agreed that in a time of strong support from the United States and the EU for the country and the Western Balkan region, it was extremely important to take all necessary measures to use the momentum and implement the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

With the help of all of North Macedonia's geostrategic partners, they agreed, the Growth Plan would ensure greater cooperation between the countries in the region toward stability and economic growth particularly important for the region as well as providing conditions for the smooth implementation of the outlined reforms. ssh/mr