Shorouk Express 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 23. Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia Timčo
Mučunski, in an interview with Sitel TV from New York, spoke about
bilateral relations with the United States, the second session of
the strategic dialogue, and the intensive political agenda within
the framework of the 80th UN General Assembly, Trend reports.
Referring to the strategic dialogue with the United States,
Minister Mučunski noted that it involves a series of concrete
measures aimed at strengthening relations between the two
countries.
“At the meeting in May with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, we
defined joint priorities related to bilateral and multilateral
relations, as well as enhanced trade and economic dynamics. Step by
step, we are seeing how these priorities are being implemented.
Within the dialogue, we will open several topics, including visa
facilitation — we do not promise that it will happen immediately,
but it has already been placed on the table in discussions with the
administration in Washington,” said Mučunski.
He also touched on the alliance with the U.S. in NATO and
ongoing negotiations for a new trade arrangement.
“With our partners in the Alliance, we share common concerns
about European and global challenges, and it is always important
when we coordinate positions and exchange views at a high level.
Regarding tariffs, we are in the final phase of preparing a new
solution that will bring lower duties — both general and special —
for certain products we export to the U.S. We already have a draft
text, the negotiations are proceeding successfully, and I expect
the final version to be presented to the public soon,” the minister
added.
Mučunski also emphasized the importance of numerous meetings
with world leaders, noting that they are the best opportunity to
affirm the government’s principled positions on all essential and
strategic issues. He also informed about the dynamic agenda within
the UN General Assembly, highlighting bilateral contacts aimed at
enhancing political and economic relations and setting new
priorities of regional and global interest.
“We will continue to use all the opportunities the state has on
the multilateral level, because diplomacy should not remain
abstract — it must bring concrete benefits to citizens,” concluded
Minister Mučunski.
