The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today Ms. Evelyn N. Farkas, United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense.

President Ivanov praised the cooperation in the defense sector between the two countries and expressed satisfaction with the overall support that the Army of the Republic of Macedonian receives from the United States, both in terms of financial, as well as practical and technical support, through participation in joint trainings, exercises and missions. Also at the meeting, they exchanged views on the prospects for further deepening of the defense cooperation and welcomed the initiative on trilateral partnership between the armies of the Republic of Macedonia, Vermont and Senegal.

The Republic of Macedonia is grateful for the friendship, help and support it receives from the US since the first days of independence to date, especially for the efforts and support in the attainment of our strategic goals. You can always consider the Republic of Macedonia a sincere friend and partner", President Ivanov said.

At the meeting with Ms. Farkas, who is also Senior Advisor to the NATO Commander for Europe and the Special Adviser for the Secretary of Defense for NATO Summit, President Ivanov stressed the expectation that in the wake of the next NATO Summit, the US support will continue, so that the Republic of Macedonia can take its rightful place in the Alliance.

Both interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the level of political relations between the two countries and agreed that military cooperation and cooperation between the security services are extremely important segments in the overall cooperation and partnership.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense expressed appreciation for the overall engagement of the Macedonian Army in peacekeeping missions. "The United States will, as before, support the country's strategic commitment to full integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures", Farkas said.