The United States is disappointed after North Macedonia wasn’t allowed to open negotiations for membership in the EU, US Ambassador Kate Byrnes said Monday.

The US, she added, has been sending the message that the country is ready after having met all the necessary conditions to join the EU.

“We remain disappointed and we believe that the future of North Macedonia is in Europe and that the process will be ongoing and in the meantime, we’ll continue to do everything we can to strengthen our partnership,” Byrnes told reporters when asked whether the United States expects Skopje and Sofia to intensify communication after North Macedonia wasn’t given the green light at the EU summit.

On Monday, Ambassador Byrnes handed over a donation of NBCD equipment for decontamination at the Chojlija military barracks near Petrovec at a ceremony also attended by Defence Minister Radmila Shekerinska.