Mickoski: North Macedonia continues on its path toward the EU and aims to strengthen ties with European leaders

North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said that the country remains committed to the process of integration into the European Union and to cooperation with European leaders. He expressed the expectation that the reforms implemented so far would be recognized and that the way would be opened for Skopje to begin accession negotiations.

Following his participation in the Berlin Process Summit, Mickoski said the discussions conveyed important signals about the Western Balkans’ European future. According to him, the meeting reaffirmed the need for the countries of the region to integrate into the European Union as soon as possible.

He emphasized that North Macedonia has already aligned its foreign and security policies with those of the EU, while continuing its work to fulfill the reforms outlined in the relevant agenda.

“I expect all of this that I am talking about to be assessed in the very near future and for us to finally be given the opportunity to begin the negotiation process,” Mickoski said. He added that gradual integration cannot be used as an alternative to full membership in the European Union.

Regarding the deadlock in the negotiations and constitutional amendments, the prime minister criticized the previous governance of the SDSM and DUI. He described the agreement reached during that period as an inherited burden that the current government must address.

Mickoski reiterated that his cabinet does not intend to abandon the European objective, but neither does it intend to undermine Macedonian national interests. He called for an action plan for minorities to be agreed upon first, which, according to him, should receive the approval of all 27 EU member states.

During his statement, the prime minister also addressed international developments. He warned that the next two years could bring major difficulties for Europe and the world, particularly because of the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine.