News
12/16/2022 02:31
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs, Bojan Maricikj, today at the meeting with the ambassador of the USA in the country, H.E. Angela Aggeler discussed the cooperation with the USA as our strategic partner in the areas related to the European reforms and the possibilities for directing and strengthening the cooperation in the realization of the national strategic priorities.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricikj and Ambassador Aggeler discussed the areas in which continued support from the United States is needed in the direction of implementing European reforms above all, for which Aggeler said that we can count on support from the United States in their implementation.
- So far, great efforts and resources have been invested in the key areas of the reforms, such as education, justice, public administration and the economy, which are of vital importance for achieving the strategic priorities of North Macedonia - NATO membership, which we have already achieved, and full membership in the EU, on which we are dedicatedly working, Deputy Prime Minister Maricikj pointed out.
The expert sanctions team that works on cases of corruption of high officials against current and former officials was highlighted as being particularly valued, as the fight against corruption is one of the key priorities in ensuring European standards.
The interlocutors also highlighted the support that is implemented through project collaborations with funding from USAID, pointing out that USAID's Strategic Framework for the Republic of North Macedonia 2018-2020 provided a basis for fruitful cooperation aimed at 4 main results, set as goals for this three-year period of cooperation.
At the meeting they highlighted the New Cooperation Strategy for the Development of the Country 2020-2025, which is focused on providing support for promoting a prosperous, well-governed and stable North Macedonia, dedicated to Euro-Atlantic integration through the partnership with USAID. In this context it was announced that USAID is expected to make a strategic transition from a donor-recipient program to one where USAID's role will be catalytic, helping to establish country-led partnerships between the private sector, government and civil society, in order to su[pport the progress of North Macedonia.
Deputy Prime Minister Maricikj and Ambassador Aggeler agreed that in times of military and energy crisis on the continent, it is extremely important to intensify the cooperation between the countries in the direction of ensuring stability and conditions for the smooth implementation of the planned reforms.