The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia has confirmed that a representative of the country’s delegation was present during the speech by the Prime Minister of Israel at the United Nations General Assembly.

The response was given to “Lokalno” at a time when several international media outlets reported that many countries, including representatives from North Macedonia, had left the hall during Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech.

On Thursday, September 24, dozens of delegates from various countries around the world left the UN hall as soon as Netanyahu began speaking, thereby expressing their opposition to the Israeli leader.

Among the delegations that left were those of Turkey, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Senegal, Pakistan, Sudan, Iran and Indonesia. According to reports, Spain, South Africa, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria and Brazil did not attend the session at all. In contrast, North Macedonia and Serbia remained in the hall to listen to the Israeli prime minister.

The presence of the North Macedonian delegation during the speech was not considered unexpected, while this stance served as another confirmation of the increasingly close relations between North Macedonia and Israel.

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Arben Fetai’s appointment as special envoy to the EU is a legitimate issue to discuss, said North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister, Timço Mucunski. According to him, the public also deserves clarification regarding claims that the former deputy prime minister did not report to work during a certain period of his term, despite receiving a salary.

“First, we must be open about who Arben Fetai is. He completed his education in Belgium and speaks all the official languages of that country,” he said.

Mucunski stressed that, in addition to knowing all of Belgium’s official languages, Fetai has worked and been involved with various governmental and non-governmental organizations in Brussels. Through this experience, he said, Fetai has built a network of contacts that could be put to use in the state’s interests.

He added that Arben Fetai holds dual citizenship, that of North Macedonia and Belgium. In the absence of dual citizenship, according to the minister, Fetai might have been the ideal candidate for North Macedonia’s ambassador to the EU. Mucunski also described him as an excellent colleague in the government, emphasizing that criticism is easy, but that the discussion should be based on facts.

“Given the pace of activities, we need someone there. During this particular period, he will be serving the state. His biography matches the profile we are seeking for that position,” Mucunski said.

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Minister Mucunski said that clarifications had been requested from the Bulgarian institutions regarding this case, but that so far, according to him, no response has been received.

He stressed that if such a situation had happened in Macedonia, he, as minister, would have apologized.

The diplomatic note provides details about the itinerary followed by Mickoski’s wife and son, includes their personal data, as well as information about the police escort that accompanied them and the weapons it possessed. The document also requests that Bulgaria provide police security in Pamporovo and, if necessary, protection throughout their entire stay./Telegrafi/

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Mucunski said that over the past two years, the work has been guided by a clear vision, defined priorities, and the goal of strengthening the country’s international position, building more sustainable partnerships, and securing tangible benefits for citizens. According to him, it can now be said that a more active, more open, and more efficient diplomacy has been built.

In his address, he underlined that foreign policy has remained focused on three strategic pillars: a strong partnership with the United States, full alignment with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, and active participation in the NATO Alliance.

“These are the pillars of stability, security, and predictability. These are the pillars of a state that knows where it belongs and knows where it wants to go,” Mucunski said.

Speaking about the work report, the minister announced that during the past two years, more than 110 working visits abroad have taken place and over 400 meetings and gatherings have been held. Of these, more than 210 were bilateral meetings with statesmen, ministers, and senior representatives from around the world. He also added that the country has hosted more than 40 European and global leaders and senior representatives.

As for European integration, Mucunski reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to reforms and the European path. In this context, he recalled the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union, as well as securing pre-financing from the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.

“The European Commission recently made 65.7 million euros available through the Reform and Growth Instrument, which is the highest amount in the region. With this, the total amount of funds made available to our country under the Growth Plan has reached 142.1 million euros. This is not symbolism. This is concrete trust translated into concrete support,” Mucunski stressed.

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