Skopje, 1 May 2023 (MIA) — What US ambassador Angela Aggeler wrote in the letter addressed to the government and judiciary are the same comments made by former US Ambassador Phillip Reeker 15 years ago, he said in a TV appearance.

Reeker, who served as US Ambassador to the country from 2008 to 2011, told Sitel news that people were frustrated and unhappy with North Macedonia's progress on corruption.

This is not about party decisions, he said, but decisions of the country as a whole. He noted that everyone needed decide to change this and the United States has supported that.

The former ambassador said the US had been supporting the country's reform efforts through various programs, investing just over USD 560 million in recent years.

He said the US wanted to see results from that investment, which should benefit all the people of North Macedonia.

"You all have to make an effort together to see changes," Reeker said.

Regarding stalled infrastructure projects, he said the rule of law and procedures should be followed so progress could be made.

Speaking about the European integration process, Reeker reiterated the US support for North Macedonia's joining the EU.

He said the country's EU membership was in the best interest not only of the country but also of the Western Balkans, which should be strongly connected through Euro-Atlantic security institutions.

Expressing his hopes that the integration process would move forward, he urged the state to seize the opportunity and carry out the necessary reforms. mr/