Skopje, 24 February 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says he expects further strengthening of bilateral relations with Germany following the CDU/CSU's victory in Sunday's elections. Also, he said he does not expect any change in relations with Berlin after the country decided to co-sponsor the US draft resolution on Ukraine.

"The transatlantic partnership is not only our priority, but it is also a priority for Germany and the United States, and no one should have any dilemma here. I believe that this partnership is a guarantor of peace everywhere in the world, something that we all need, including in Ukraine and in all countries in the world in general. In this transatlantic partnership, the United States and Germany are the strongest links. So, no one should have any dilemma here," Mickoski said in response to reporters' questions during Monday's press conference at the Government. 

The PM reiterated that the United States is a strategic partner for the country, and now sister party CDU/CSU has won the elections in Germany and will form the new government.

"I know the next Chancellor, Merz, from within the European People's Party, and we met now on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. I believe the good bilateral partnership relations that have existed so far will further strengthen in the future. I will remind you that many of the CDU dignitaries from the closest circle of the next Chancellor Merz have visited us, such as Mr. Beyer, who are our personal friends, and I expect that we will have excellent bilateral relations with Germany and with the Government led by Chancellor Merz," said Mickoski. 

Asked why has the country decided to co-sponsor the US draft resolution, Mickoski said he expects it to be supported by the majority in the UN.

"We decided to co-sponsor the resolution proposed by the US. I expect it to be supported by the majority in the UN," Mickoski said.

On whether he has any expectations, following his visit to the United States, that the new Trump administration would help the country in terms of the bilateral issue with Bulgaria, he said "with the contacts we have with President Trump's closest circle, we can only gain not lose". 

"I have a feeling and also what I managed to see and hear firsthand is that slowly but surely from Washington and everywhere in the world, the new normal will spread and prevail. We are among the first to support the new normal, and I believe it will be massive in the coming period and will receive great support in the world. I believe that with the contacts we have with President Trump's closest circle, we can only gain not lose," Mickoski pointed out. 

He reiterated that the bilateral dispute with the country's eastern neighbour is a dispute that generally has nothing to do with 21st century values. 

"I believe that as a country, we should begin as soon as possible formal negotiations with the EU, which are part of this bilateral dispute. As for all the other attributes that are part of this bilateral dispute, which unfortunately certain political circles within our eastern neighbour still treat as their top priority, I think there is no need to comment too much, because after all, in terms of identity issues, issues related to the identity of the Macedonian people, any comment from me would be superfluous and everyone knows what my position is on that issue," Mickoski said.