Skopje, 18 September 2025 (MIA) - Our path to the European Union is more than alignment of legislation - it is the creation of institutions that work according to European standards, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told the opening of an event on generic training for administrative officials - "Investment in administrative officials is an investment in the future of the public sector", taking place in Skopje on Thursday.

"We are gathered here today with an extremely important goal - to confirm that reforms are not just words in a program, but actions that can be seen and felt. There is no modern state without a modern administration. There is no advanced economy without a functional public sector. There is no trust in institutions without professional, responsible and motivated officials. When we say “investment in administrative officials is an investment in the future of the public sector”, it is not just a slogan, it is our vision and obligation to the citizens," Mickoski said. 

Public administration, the PM pointed out, is the foundation of the state.

"It is you - the people who carry the burden of the institutions every day. Your work is the face of the state, your attitude is the impression that citizens get about the institutions," he added.

According to him, the first cycle of generic training, with 600 participants from local and central levels, is a clear signal that this Government is not afraid of change, but it brings change.

"We have provided top international trainers, modern programs and methodologies that not only transfer knowledge, but change the culture of work," Mickoski said.

Recently, he added, the public administration was "reduced to political prey".

"Partisanship instead of development. Fear and revenge instead of motivation. Clientelism instead of training. The previous government left the administration demotivated, with broken trust, with people who felt left out. We waited for years for normal training systems, and the results were stagnation and lost generations of civil servants who did not have access to modern knowledge," Mickoski said.

That time is over now, he added.

"We say it openly today: the public administration will no longer be a party prey. It will be professional, efficient and work for the citizens," said the PM.

He pointed out that Estonia has shown that small countries can be big in innovation. Slovenia has shown that administration can be an engine of reform.

"These are stories that began as we begin today - with people who decided to receive training, to change themselves and their country. Our path to the European Union is more than alignment of legislation - it is the creation of institutions that work according to European standards. These trainings are proof that we do not wait to be told what to do. We are the generation that takes the initiative and wants to bring Europe home through a modern public sector," the PM said.

Mickoski made an appeal to ministers and mayors.

"I call on all ministers, directors and mayors: continue to support such programs. Make sure that every employee in your institutions will have access to training, mentoring and the opportunity for professional development. This is not a cost, this is the most profitable investment for the state," he pointed out.

PM Mickoski noted that this is just the beginning.

"I believe that each of you will be an ambassador of change in your institution. You will bring this energy and turn it into visible results for citizens," said Mickoski.  

He added that now is the time of our country.

"We are the generation that must pull the country out of the darkness of partisanship and take it into the light of the European future. I call on you - learn, ask questions, discuss. Be brave to introduce new practices. Be the ones who will make the administration more efficient, honourable and stronger than ever. Together we will create a public sector that will not only be an apparatus of the state, but a driver of development, a partner of citizens and a guarantor of the European future of the homeland," PM Mickoski stressed. 

Photo and video: MIA