Skopje, 25 August 2023 (MIA) — Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani met with US Department of State's Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and Special Representative to the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, who is visiting the country.

According to an official press release, Osmani and Escobar exchanged opinions on the latest political developments, and especially on North Macedonia's need to continue the process of EU negotiations through amending the Constitution.

"The USA has had a crucial role in the most important internal and external political moments of the recent history of North Macedonia, providing firm support for our successful establishment as an independent state deeply integrated in the transatlantic family of modern and functional democracies," Osmani said at the meeting, adding that the blockade of the European integration process cost the country one billion euros a year in financial support from the EU.

Osmani thanked the US for its long-term support for the country's reform processes. He noted that the state was strongly committed to implementaing reforms in the area of good governance, the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

Meeting participants also spoke about the two countries' cooperation as part of the Strategic Dialogue as well as within NATO, voicing support for Ukraine as a priority of North Macedonia's OSCE Chairpersonship-in-Office, as well. mr/