Skopje, 5 December 2024 (MIA) - The United States has always been our closest ally and friend. Amid changing geopolitics, we remain a committed ally and partner to the US. This partnership is firmly based on mutual respect, trust and shared goals, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said at a joint press conference Thursday with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof.

Kasanof said the US stands firmly with North Macedonia as it addresses crucial reforms that will strengthen its economy, infrastructure, public and private sectors, and communities, as well as prepare it for its “natural place” within the European Union.

“Our task is to continue to promote these relations, to deepen our cooperation and to ensure that the benefits of this partnership will be felt by all of our citizens. We stand firmly on the side of democracy, peace and prosperity, and we will continue to implement all necessary steps for joint progress, inspired by the friendship with the US, among other things,” Prime Minister Mickoski said.

The PM assessed the meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary as sincere and significant.

“We spoke about our European integration, strengthening the rule of law and economic development, which is a priority of our Government. These priorities aren’t only national goals, they also represent a prerequisite for the stability and progress of the entire region. The European integrations remain our top strategic priority. We are working tirelessly on the reforms that will ensure rule of law, transparency and institutional efficiency, as well as the protection of human rights and freedoms,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski underscored that the Government is working on creating a favorable business environment that will encourage economic growth. He said he believes cooperation with the US will play a significant role in this.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kasanof said he met with the PM to reaffirm the “strong and enduring” partnership with North Macedonia. He assessed his conversation with the Prime Minister as productive and wide-ranging, “buttressed by the shared values that bind our nations together”.

“The heart of our conversation concerned unwavering US support for North Macedonia’s aspirations for full Euro-Atlantic integration and the reforms and the benefits that will come with accession to the European Union. We recognize the challenges North Macedonia has faced to achieve full NATO membership, and that it is being asked to do more to advance its EU accession. The United States stands firmly with North Macedonia as it addresses crucial reforms that will strengthen its economy, infrastructure and public and private sectors, and communities, and prepare it for its natural place within the European Union. This includes real and demonstrable progress on good governance and rule of law changes,” Kasanof said.

Kasanof said Prime Minister Mickoski understands corruption’s power to erode public trust, noting that the US appreciates the fact he has made fighting corruption a key priority of the Government he leads.

“As NATO allies, the US – North Macedonia defense partnership has never been stronger. I congratulated North Macedonia and the PM and his Government for meeting the Wales pledge of 2% of GDP on defense spending for this year, as well as the Government’s ongoing support to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion, which is a very significant contribution and greatly appreciated,” Kasanof stressed.

According to the US diplomat, the future of North Macedonia is “bright” and the United States will stand by the country’s side to help meet its goals.

In answer to journalist’s questions, Kasanof said the US sees the sincerity of the Government regarding the Euro-integrations, while PM Mickoski stressed that the Government doesn’t only want to see the process begin, but also to see it conclude.

Asked about the potential addition of new names from North Macedonia to the US “blacklist”, Kasanof said he couldn’t comment about the specifics, but underlined that this is a priority and something that the US is working on.  

Photo: Government