Skopje, 14 October 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski expects reaffirmation of the position that full-fledged EU membership remains as the country's strategic goal from Wednesday's visit and meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

PM Mickoski told reporters on Tuesday that Macedonia has lost its dignity on the EU accession path over the past 25 years, while adding that the incumbent authorities do not intend to do this anymore.

"I expect we will reaffirm the positions that full-fledged EU membership remains as our strategic goal. It seems that we have lost our dignity, bit by bit, on the EU accession path over the past 25 years. I hope the EU will also deliver so that we at least keep the dignity we have left, because we are no good for them as well if we don't have dignity, and this government does not intend to lose more of it," said Mickoski.

He also referred to the European Commission's announcements of opening AI factories in Macedonia and Serbia, noting this is a project promoted by the country's Ministry of Digital Transformation.

"This is good news for the Macedonian citizens because it will be the first time we use our domestic resources. We have been working on this with the two faculties of electrical and computer engineering, FEIT and FINKI, and it is something I am thrilled and happy about," said Mickoski and added the co-funded project is worth about EUR 5 million.

He said that Macedonian students and experts would be able to use EU resources through its own AI center.

EC President von der Leyen is scheduled to visit Skopje on Wednesday afternoon as part of her tour of the Western Balkans. During her stay, she will meet President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi.

The European Commission said the tour will be an occasion to reiterate the EU's support for the region's EU accession path and gradual access to the Single Market, and to discuss the EU's €6 billion Growth Plan for the Western Balkans for 2024-2027.

This is von der Leyen’s fifth annual tour of the Western Balkans, following similar visits in 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Photo: MIA