Skopje, 31 May 2022 (MIA) – Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska is starting on Tuesday her working visit to the United States. During the visit, Petrovska will meet with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Colin Kahl, at the Pentagon, and will also hold meetings with Assistant Secretary of Defense, Celeste Wallander, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, General Daniel Hokanson, Commander of the Vermont National Guard, Major General Gregory Knight, and Secretary of the U.S. Army, Christine Wormuth. According to the Ministry of Defense, Minister Petrovska will also meet with Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs), Jessica Lewis, at the U.S. Department of State. “Talks will focus on transatlantic partnership, promotion of Euro-Atlantic values, current geopolitical developments and security threats, as well as army modernization projects that we are implementing with substantial U.S. assistance and latest generation equipment,” Petrovska said in Washington. Petrovska’s agenda also includes her participation in the first strategic dialogue between North Macedonia and the United States alongside part of North Macedonia’s government delegation led by Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani and including Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi and Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska. “In holding the strategic dialogue, North Macedonia and the United States enter a new phase in the building of mutual relations, which is particularly important not just for the country, but the entire region, especially in the context of current security threats. In addition, it is also an expression of our common commitment to strengthen relations and promote shared values of democratic development and stability in the region,” Petrovska stressed. Petrovska will also hold meetings at the White House, the National Security Council, as well as meetings with top officials of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). North Macedonia’s ministers who are part of the strategic dialogue between North Macedonia and the U.S. will accompany Petrovska during the meetings. In addition, Petrovska’s agenda includes a visit to Pennsylvania, as well as meeting with the Provost of the U.S. Army War College, James Breckenridge, as well as officers of North Macedonia’s Army who are currently studying in the U.S. educational institution.