Skopje, 2 September 2025 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Tuesday that the National Security Agency’s wiretapping was not a blow on himself and on journalists, but a blow on democracy, the right to freedom and the country’s foundations.

“Our country is facing a new scandal – illegal wiretapping and mass abuse of the system in the past several years. Myself, previously as the leader of the largest opposition party, and today as prime minister together with journalists, media outlets, businessmen and public figures - we have been the victims of the system that spied on its citizens. This is not an attack on myself only, it is an attack on democracy, on the right to freedom and on the country’s foundations. I have a message: There won’t be selective justice. There will be accountability. There will be legal conclusion. Our people for too long have been the victims of abuses, corruption schemes and of secret power hubs. The era of the untouchables has ended,” Mickoski said addressing a thematic Open Government Partnership meeting, held in the government.

Thus, the Open Government Partnership is our joint response, said the prime minister.

“Where there is light, there is no room for shadows. When institutions are open and accountable, there is no place for abuse, no place to endanger liberties and democracy. This meeting is a proof that we are not running away from problems – we solve them. We are not afraid of challenges – we tackle them. Our vision is to build a country with strong institutions, modern administration, digital services at the disposal of every citizen, with a growing economy and a society that believes in democracy. I believe today’s discussions will help us use the potential of open government not only as policy, but also as culture of governance,” Mickoski stated.

Our duty, noted the prime minister, is to create a system that is transparent, just and efficient, a system in service of the citizens that restores the dignity of public interest.

“Today, we’re sending a clear message: Macedonia stands firmly on the path to reforms, to European integration and to the fight against corruption. There is no turning back,” PM Mickoski vowed. 

Photo/video: Government