Skopje, 5 July 2023 (MIA) – The bilateral relations, Euro-integrations process, regional cooperation and current political developments in the region were the topics discussed at a meeting Wednesday between Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Bojan Marichikj and the United States Ambassador to North Macedonia, Angela Aggeler.

According to the Secretariat for European Affairs, Marichikj briefed the Ambassador over the progress of the screening process, the drafting of the Roadmaps and his expectations ahead of the delivery of the screening reports. 

To that end, noted the Secretariat, Marichikj pointed to the next steps to be taken for switch progress in the process, stressing that the support of the US will be important for North Macedonia’s European future.

“The political and development assistance of the United Stated aimed at strengthening democracy, judicial reform, the Macedonian economy and the energy sector are largely helping and contributing so the country can reach the EU standards as soon as possible,” said Marichikj.

Ambassador Aggeler, according to the Secretariat, stated that the US and North Macedonia have a high degree of mutual relations and will continue to work in the future to strengthen the strategic partnership, with a focus on the fulfillment of North Macedonia’s foreign policy priority and the creation of conditions for a new step towards the EU by the end of the year.

“Marichikj, at the meeting, which he realized ahead of his official visit to Washington, informed the US Ambassador over the activities and plans of the Government for the fulfillment of the reform priorities, as a part of the European agenda, above all in the areas of rule of law and the fight against corruption. Marichikj also noted it is important for North Macedonia’s European perspective that the US support continues in terms of the implementation of comprehensive reforms which have contributed significant results in several areas, and are a joint contribution of the two countries accelerating the EU accession process,” said the Secretariat.

Photo: Secretariat for European Affairs