Skopje, 6 September 2025 (MIA) - SDSM leader Venko Filipche called for the declassification of documents related to the alleged wiretapping of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, since, he said, this is the only way to clear up the case.

“The law clearly states that if there is suspicion of crime or abuse, the only body responsible for the declassification of documents is the institution itself, i.e., the National Security Agency. So, it is up to the NSA and its director to decide whether those materials will be declassified or not. We ask that they are declassified, so we can see which people and which groups were under surveillance and why, and whether any abuses were committed and by whom, in case someone needs to be held accountable,” Filipche said in an interview for Sloboden Pechat.

According to Filipche, one of the reasons why the Government opposes the declassification of the documents is “perhaps the fear that information about suspicious foreign financial sources related to VMRO-DPMNE could come to light.“

“There were suspicious sources behind the Hungarian loan, whether it's Chinese or Russian money, no one knows. You can see the kind of alliance Russia and China have on a global level. Then there are also some of the findings regarding finances that certain structures received during our rule. That might be one of the topics that would surface if these documents from the NSA are declassified. I don’t think the Government will do it, because I believe they will avoid that topic,” Filipche said.

Regarding the country’s EU accession process and the reform agenda, Filipche said he believes the country needs a meaningful return to the European path. “With the non-implementation of reforms, the citizens are losing, and the country is losing millions of euros as well,” he said.

“Macedonia is stuck. The country is treading water, while the entire region – from Albania to Montenegro – is rapidly moving toward the European Union. As long as the Government chooses to do nothing, our citizens are paying the price through lose opportunities, stalled reforms, and an isolated future,” Filipche said in the interview with Sloboden Pechat, delivering sharp criticism of the VMRO-DPMNE-led Government’s policy on the EU accession and the reform agenda.

The opposition leader assessed that not a single law has been adopted of the necessary laws, stressing that due to the Government’s lack of work, the state has lost out on EUR 80 million in European support – funds intended for judicial reform.

Filipche said SDSM is currently working on a draft-resolution that, he said, would include a concrete mechanism for the protection of the country’s positions in case of unprincipled demands during the negotiations with the EU.

“We are working on a concrete proposal with an included timeframe. The solution will be neither imposed, nor closed – it will be published as a working version for public and political debate, where all stakeholders will be able to contribute. This is not a campaign play, this is an existential issue. Over 70 percent of the citizens back the continuation of the EU path. If 70 percent are in favor of the EU, there is no justification for being passive. This is not a question of daily politics, it is a question of whether we will be a part of modern, democratic Europe or remain waiting as a captured country,” Filipche said.

The SDSM leader addressed the public and all political stakeholders, stressing that this is no time for calculations and there is no room for waiting.

He also voiced his disappointment with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who he said is following the party line of VMRO-DPMNE, instead of standing on the side of the national interest.

“I regret that the President, instead of being the voice of reason and constitutionality, has joined in on the defense of VMRO-DPMNE's irresponsible policy. We don’t hav a single joint position on this key issue, and we haven’t even had any continued communication. But that does not lower our responsibility to work toward a consensus,” Filipche said.

According to the opposition leader, the Macedonian language, identity, and culture have already been protected and formalized through international treaties and agreements, including the Frontex Agreement.

Photo: SDSM