On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani had a phone conversation with Derek Chollet, Counsellor of the U.S. Department of State. The conversation was held immediately after Chollet’s visit to Bulgaria, North Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry said, adding that it was particularly significant momentum, taking into consideration also the newly-established dialogue between Skopje and Sofia and steps taken to build confidence and overcome challenges between the two countries. Osmani expressed gratitude for the continued support from the US for realisation of North Macedonia’s strategic goals and highlighted the significant role of the US friends for North Macedonia’s prosperity and democratic achievements. In that regard, Chollet reaffirmed once again his country’s clear and unambiguous support for a start of membership negotiations with the EU as soon as possible. The mutual assessment is that the European perspective and presence of the US in the region are particularly significant to the stability and prosperity of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans.