SkopjeDiem Macedonia in English
Alexander Kasanof, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Balkans, met on Thursday with PM Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje.
At a joint press-conference, the former said his country’s support for North Macedonia continued, especially when it came to fighting corruption, which was something Washington took very seriously.
The US diplomat didn’t want to comment on what the relation of the future administration would be, though he stressed that the current, Joe Biden, one would continue to employ the same policy on North Macedonia until the end of its term.
Also, he stated that the US acknowledged challenges the country had faced to enter NATO. Regarding the Alliance, he also praised the reaching of the 2% threshold for defence spending and support for Ukraine.
As Allies, Skopje-Washington have never been stronger, Assistant Secretary Kasanof stressed. Furthermore, the US diplomat said the country had a bright future.
“The future of North Macedonia is bright and we will remain by you for achievement of your goals for a prosperous democracy fully integrated into the EU,” the diplomat noted.
Regarding the blacklist, he stated that though he couldn’t present details, it was a priority. The US diplomat believes the Government’s honest when it says fighting corruption is one of its main goals.
“The US firmly backs North Macedonia in the implementation of reforms that will strengthen the economy, public and private sector, but also communities, and make it ready for its natural place in the EU. That includes the rule of law and changes to laws,” Assistant Secretary Kasanof stressed.
PM Mickoski briefed the diplomat on the EU path issue. In that regard, he said that whenever friends talked, they always understood each other.
“What remains is for us to be seeking a solution to a start and end of the EU process,” he stressed, adding that the country needed to, in the meantime, do its homework with regards to fighting corruption and crime and economic reforms.
In North Macedonia’s capital, the US diplomat also met with Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Timco Mucunski, who expressed gratitude for Washington’s support for the overall reform processes in the country.
As his Ministry said in the press-release, the interest in maintaining continuity in the political dialogue through a regular exchange of experiences and visits, continuation of activities in the frames of the Strategic Dialogue, as well as through close cooperation in the frames of NATO, was jointly confirmed.
Mucunski highlighted the cabinet’s focus on the EU path and implementing reforms resulting in tangible benefits for citizens, especially with regards to economic development, the rule of law, and fighting corruption.
In that regard, it was added, the interest to advance the economic cooperation and trade exchange with the US, as well as to strengthen the two countries’ business relations, was highlighted. The US diplomat confirmed the strong support from the US for North Macedonia’s efforts on the EU path, in addition to highlighting the excellent cooperation in the frames of NATO.
