Skopje, 18 March 2023 (MIA) — Bilateral relations between North Macedonia and the USA are excellent and reflect the countries’ long-term partnership and friendship, according to President Stevo Pendarovski and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State overseeing policy towards the countries of the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar at their meeting in Ohrid.

According to a press release from his office, President Pendarovski briefed Escobar on developments in the ongoing EU screening process and the next steps that should be taken to move forward in the country’s European integration.

They also discussed the situation in the region in light of the high-level Ohrid meeting taking place between Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti mediated by EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell and the union's special envoy for the Belgrade–Prishtina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak.

Pendarovski said holding the talks in Ohrid acknowledged the compromises North Macedonia had made to maintain long-term stability and to accellerate its European and Euro-Atlantic integration, showing it was a functional multi-ethnic democracy.

He added the outcome of the Belgrade–Prishtina dialogue could contribute to a lasting stabilization of the region and its faster European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the release says. mr/