News
2/8/2019 09:22
Deputy Prime
Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani, during his working visit to
Washington, had a meeting today with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for
Europe and Eurasia Matthew Palmer at the US State Department.
"The USA is
more than a strategic partner to Macedonia, and probably the most important
friend, which presence and active participation took part in the most important
turning points of the country"s independence, and which success is irreversibly
built in the construction of the country itself", Osmani stressed, thus
pointing to the state"s independence, the Framework Agreement, the territorial
organisation, as well as the Prespa Agreement, the implementation of which was
completed shortly before this visit. Osmani also pointed out that today"s
success of signing the NATO protocol is the result of exactly this partnership, which
he said he expects to continue in the future.
"We are
expecting the support the support of the USA in the forthcoming period when the
main events will solidify our western orientation - full membership in NATO and
the start of negotiations for membership in the European Union," Osmani
stressed, referring to the political situation in the country, the country`s
progress in meeting the criteria through implementation of the reform Plan 18, as
well as on the progress in relations with neighbours.
"Macedonia no
longer has open political issues and again it occupies a central place in the
Balkans, as the main partner of the United States, the EU and NATO in promoting
the democratic and western values in the region," Osmani stated.
Within the visit at
the Senate Osmani also had a meeting with Senator Ron Johnson, who is also a
Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs.
Senator Johnson informed Osmani of his initiative with Senator Jeanne Shaheen, to
the US Senate, which welcomes all activities of Macedonia and Greece regarding
the implementation of the Prespa Agreement. In the text of the resolution, which
was handed over to Osmani in a draft version, inter alia, it is recommended
that the Council of the EU in June this year should confirm the decision for
start of negotiations. As the senator pointed out, the text of this resolution
is expected to be finalized and put on the agenda of the Senate early next week
and to be adopted.
Earlier in the day, Osmani
participated on the traditional prayer breakfast organised by the US President
Donald Trump, and on his current agenda is planned a visit to the US Congress
where Osmani will have a meeting with Congressman Steve Stivers, who until
January this year served as President National Republican Committee in the US
Congress. A central visit to the Congress will be the meeting with the new
Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee in the US Congress - Elliot Engel.