I’m coming here to reaffirm and reinforce America’s strong support for North Macedonia and its European path and perspective, United States Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Matthew Palmer said Tuesday.

After meeting with Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, he expressed satisfaction that he is in Skopje again and, as he said, has the opportunity to meet with friends and discuss the latest developments in the region and Europe.

I come immediately after the ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol by the US Senate. This is the best time to be here, also following the recent visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. I am here to reaffirm and strengthen the strong US support for Macedonia and its European path and perspective,  Palmer said.

This is the first stop, Palmer said, followed by a visit to Belgrade, Pristina and Athens.

Dimitrov and Palmer discussed the country’s Euro-Atlantic perspectives, its membership in NATO, as well as EU integration, and regional issues.

We talked about the NATO membership and how important it is to open the European chapter, to Macedonian interests and to Washington’s interests. We once fell into the trap of victimhood and disappointment in 2008 and I think it won’t take us far if we fall again. We have to be persistent and get the last excuse, that is the law on public prosecution. To come out even more prepared and persistent , said Dimitrov and added that there is a need to find a way to jointly realize both our interests and those of the member states.