Mickoski in the US: North Macedonia’s EU membership should be linked to reforms and merit, not new bilateral conditions

During his visit to Washington, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the country has a clear plan for fulfilling its obligations arising from NATO membership. In this context, he mentioned the gradual increase in the defense budget, as well as investments in strategic infrastructure, including highways, railways and energy transmission systems.

Mickoski listed cybersecurity among the main challenges the country will face in the future.

During his speech at the Atlantic Council, the prime minister also discussed infrastructure projects, highlighting the importance of Corridor 8 and Corridor 10.

Regarding the process of integration into the European Union, Mickoski said Macedonia remains fully committed to membership, but called for the path toward the EU to be based on reforms and merit, rather than the continual opening of new bilateral issues. He stressed that the government would continue communicating with European partners and the United States of America about the country’s challenges, emphasizing that Macedonia would neither isolate itself nor withdraw from dialogue.

“I understand the European Union’s principle that decisions must be made unanimously, and I know that all member states will convey the same message. However, in the past we changed the flag, the constitution several times and the constitutional name. Every time we were told that we had to do this and that it would be the final demand, we acted, but unfortunately, after 26 years, we find ourselves in the same position. Our proposal is for the changes to be completed now in the Assembly, while being implemented after the negotiations are concluded and after the parliaments of all member states ratify the protocol. This would guarantee that there will be no further demands and that this will be the final demand,” Mickoski said.