Skopje, 31 May 2022 (MIA) – Culture Minister Bisera Kostadinovska – Stojchevska, who is paying a visit to Washington as part of a government delegation for the strategic dialogue with the United States, said the visit will be a step forward in passing a law on illicit trafficking of artifacts and works of art from North Macedonia. “I would like to increase cooperation with the United States because I believe it’s time to use fund and practices other than those from the EU. Cultural practices for the protection of cultural heritage aim to improve processes to prevent illicit trafficking of artifacts,” she said. Minister Kostadinovska – Stojchevska will visit the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Washington for discussions on how North Macedonia could prevent illegal trade of antiquities, the Culture Ministry said Tuesday. A cooperation agreement is set to be signed during the visit, expected to result in legal solutions and exchange of professionals and experiences on the matter, said the press release. Kostadinovska – Stojchevska noted it is estimated that over 1,000 artifacts are thought to have been trafficked from North Macedonia. Through 16 grants of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation of the US Department of State, the United States has provided $1.5 million to North Macedonia to preserve cultural heritage. Funds have been granted for the preservation of Stobi archaeological site, Holy Mother of God church in Ohrid, Daut Pasha Amam, Chifte Amam and St. Spas church in Skopje’s old bazaar, the Colored Mosque in Tetovo, a monastery in Veljusa near Strumica and the Heraclea archaeological site in Bitola.