Skopje, 17 April 2026 (MIA) - Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski is paying a working visit to Washington as part of the second session of the North Macedonia – United States Strategic Dialogue, a process deemed extremely important for promoting national and public security. 

During the visit, Toshkovski held several meetings with top officials of the U.S. security institutions, including Nicholas Collura, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Christopher G. Raia, FBI Deputy Assistant Director, Gregory Ducot, ICITAP Director, as well as David M. Bedard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Participants in the meetings concluded that the country is a reliable and operational security partner of the United States, and cooperation is deepening in concrete areas of mutual interest, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release.

"These meetings send a clear message that Macedonia is recognized as a reliable partner of the United States, building deepened and concrete cooperation in key security areas," Minister Toshkovski pointed out.

Talks focused on the fight against human trafficking, illegal drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, strengthening border security, and tackling terrorism.

Interlocutors particularly highlighted ongoing support through the ICITAP program for the Ministry of Interior, especially in the area of ​​strengthening institutional capacities, training and modernization, including upgrading the work of the police academy.

"Support from our American partners, particularly through ICITAP, plays a key role in modernizing the police and strengthening our capacities to tackle contemporary security challenges," Toshkovski pointed out.

The visit, reads the press release, reaffirms the strategic commitment to deepening the partnership with the United States and jointly tackle security challenges, while further intensifying and strengthening cooperation in all key areas in the coming period.

Photo/video: MoI