Tirana, 16 May 2025 (MIA) — The Strategic Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom is "historic" and will bring in "an investment cycle of five billion pounds or some six billion euros in infrastructure, railway transport and health care," Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said after his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Tirana at which they discussed the deal.

"This Strategic Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom, government to government, is a privilege, because this is one of the largest superpowers in the world we are talking about," PM Mickoski said.

He added that the UK "does not have such agreements with many countries."

"Perhaps we are one of the few," he said, adding that he would share more details with the public soon.

Mickoski and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer met Friday on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Tirana. At the meeting, the two prime ministers said the agreement would result in stronger cooperation and closer relations.

In a social media post after the meeting, the Macedonian PM wrote that the agreement "represents a new chapter in the relations between the two countries."

The document is the result of months of intense talks between diplomats and experts from both countries on cooperation in key areas such as security, economy, investments, education, digital transformation and climate change, sources familiar told MIA.

"This is an agreement that positions Macedonia in the broader circle of interests of one of the leading world powers," the sources said, adding that the deal to be signed was "a concrete and long-term commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the United Kingdom."

"By signing the agreement, Macedonia will gain access to British expertise, financial support for reforms and opportunities for British investments in strategic sectors such as energy, infrastructure and innovation," the sources said.

Future cooperation should also include stronger political dialogue as well as coordination within international institutions in dealing with global security challenges. mr/

Photo: Government