Budapest, 3 March 2025 (MIA) - The advancement of bilateral relations, trade cooperation, as well as the perspectives and challenges in the process of our European integration, were the focus of the discussions at the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of North Macedonia and Hungary, Timcho Mucunski and Péter Szijjártó, marking the beginning of the government summit between the two countries in Budapest, as reported by MIA’s correspondent.

“The joint meeting of the governments of North Macedonia and Hungary on Tuesday represents another important step in strengthening our relations, but also a necessary opportunity for strategic coordination in a time of serious political and security challenges. I firmly believe that this meeting provides an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and positions that will significantly contribute to enhancing our bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as further reinforcing European peace, security, and prosperity,” Mucunski said at the joint press conference on Monday.

He thanked Hungary for its continuous, friendly, unequivocal, and comprehensive support for North Macedonia in the EU accession process, both on a bilateral level and through technical assistance. He specifically emphasized the significance of, as he called it, Hungary's generous support during its successful presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2024.

“The Republic of North Macedonia is at a crucial crossroad in the European integration process. In this regard, we expect continuity in support and understanding of our positions, as well as for the concerns raised by the imposed proposal of 2022. Over the past 20 years, we have made numerous difficult and unconventional decisions, with the hope of realizing our dream of joining the European family. Despite the numerous difficult concessions we have made and the long-standing promises from our European partners, we are still in the waiting room, with an uncertain path ahead, conditioned by constitutional changes and a series of other bilateral demands imposed by our neighbour, Bulgaria. Regardless of the serious challenges we face, we wish to believe that by fully utilizing our political and diplomatic capacities, the goal set by Europe – to join the democratic and prosperous European family as an equal member by 2030 – is achievable,” Mucunski said.

To achieve this goal, as he mentioned, the country is obligated to implement reforms, and the EU has a responsibility through its actions to confirm the long-awaited strategic approach, not just towards us but towards the entire region. 

On this path to shared success, Mucunski said, Hungary remains our proven and strong NATO partner, and cooperation, as well as efforts to promote open and sincere communication, will continue to grow, particularly ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in June this year in the Hague, Netherlands.

He pointed out that this year is particularly important for both countries, as it marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

“We mark this anniversary with a strong commitment to opening a new chapter in our cooperation. Together, we proudly recall three decades of successes and outstanding accomplishments, noting that Hungary is one of our top 10 trade partners and one of the ten largest foreign investors in our country. I am firmly convinced that in the years to come, we will maintain the continuity of our excellent partnership and friendly cooperation at every level and in all areas of mutual interest,” Mucunski said.

Regarding the key geostrategic challenges, and especially the situation in Ukraine, both countries share the goal of achieving unconditional and as soon as possible the desired peace, security, and stability in Europe and the world. In this regard, Mucunski pointed out the co-sponsorship of the Resolution 2774 by both countries at the United Nations.

“In this regard, we remain strongly committed to respecting the UN Charter, as well as the norms and principles of international law. In this sense, together with our Hungarian friends, we were co-sponsors of Resolution 2774 (2025) at the UN General Assembly, which was later adopted by the Security Council. This resolution, among other things, expresses profound regret for the tragic loss of human lives and underscores that the main objective of the UN is to maintain international peace and security, as well as to resolve disputes peacefully. To overcome the current misunderstandings and differing approaches on the global political stage, we sincerely believe that additional efforts will be made. Through dialogue, mutual respect, sincere commitment, and greater unity, we can jointly contribute to strengthening transatlantic cooperation, finding suitable solutions for an immediate ceasefire, and reaching a sustainable and implementable peace agreement between Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” Mucunski noted.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, signed an Action Plan on exchange of expertise by the Hungarian Diplomatic Academy on mutually agreed EU integration topics, administration processes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Budapest on Monday.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, who leads the Macedonian delegation at the Hungarian – Macedonian government summit, will hold a tête-à-tête meeting with Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán. The delegation includes 10 ministers and two deputy ministers. Bilateral meetings between ministers of the two governments are also planned as part of the summit, followed by a joint session between the two governments.

After the intergovernmental session, Mickoski and Orbán, will hold a joint press conference.