Tirana, 16 May 2025 (MIA) — Macedonian Prime Ministers Hristijan Mickoski and his British counterpart Keir Starmer agreed Friday to sign a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the two countries. They both said the agreement would result in stronger cooperation and closer relations.

At the bilateral meeting held at the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Tirana, PM Starmer said he was looking forward to the agreement. "We have a lot to do together," he said, adding that the agreement would facilitate progress and deepen relations.

Mickoski said he, too, was looking forward to strengthening relations. "We are NATO allies and with this intergovernmental agreement we will certainly have even greater bilateral cooperation," he said.

The document is the result of months of intense talks between diplomats and experts from both countries, government sources familiar with the matter told MIA.

The agreement, which is said to be historic, will open new perspectives for cooperation in key areas such as security, economy, investments, education, digital transformation and climate change.

"This is an agreement that positions Macedonia in the broader circle of interests of one of the leading world powers," the sources said, adding that the deal to be signed was "a concrete and long-term commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the United Kingdom."

"By signing the agreement, Macedonia will gain access to British expertise, financial support for reforms and opportunities for British investments in strategic sectors such as energy, infrastructure and innovation," the sources said.

Future cooperation should also include stronger political dialogue as well as coordination within international institutions in dealing with global security challenges. mr/

Фото: Влада