Skopje, 12 July 2024 (MIA) – The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Washington held several bilateral meetings and talks, the government said Friday.

He met with the Acting Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the US Department of State, John Bass. They discussed the strategic interests of the country, the Macedonian efforts aimed at their fulfilment as well the integration and progress of the region. 

PM Mickoski stressed that the fight against organized crime and corruption as well as the rule of law are the priorities of the new government.

“For far too long, corruption has gone into every pore of the institutions hindering progress. It is being changed through systemic activity, which requires impartiality in law implementation and support of professionals in charge of implementing the laws. Changes are needed that will install hope in the institutions,” said Mickoski. 

The future of the region, Mickoski said, lies in close cooperation of the countries and focusing on the things that unite us as well as in creating a future that will bring prosperity for everyone.

PM Mickoski in Washington met with the Czech President Petr Pavel. They discussed ways to use the potentials for economic and political cooperation.

Mickoski underlined that the future of the region lies in full-fledged EU membership and that far too many concessions have been made in the process, which haven’t been fully appreciated, saying that the obstacles through unreasonable disputes must stop. The citizens, he added, rightfully demand better living conditions and the government is fully committed to better standards and meeting the high integration criteria. 

Mickoski also met with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to discuss ways to intensify cooperation and support for the Macedonian EU integration process.