Skopje, 28 May 2026 (MIA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski during Q&A session on Thursday said that the government is conducting a credible and responsible foreign policy focused on the protection of national interests, the dignity of the state and the country’s strategic priorities.

Responding to an MP question related to the EU integration process and foreign policy, Foreign Minister Mucunski stressed that the government is pursuing a reasoned and principled approach in its communication with international partners, emphasizing that “there will be no further concessions and compromises that do not deliver results.”

In this regard, he pointed out that seeking additional guarantees for the country’s EU path represents a reasonable and justified stance, referring to public remarks by several European leaders and representatives, among them Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, European Council President António Costa and Belgium’s foreign minister, all of whom stressed the importance of greater assurances and predictability in the process.

“It is not accurate that the country is being asked only to implement constitutional amendments,” Mucunski said, adding that the underlying issue originates from what he described as the “poorly considered decisions made in 2022.”

He stressed that despite the challenges, the government has achieved notable international successes, pointing out that the country became the first in the region to sign a Security and Defence Partnership with the European Union.

Mucunski also referred to the strategic partnership agreements signed with the United Kingdom, Hungary and Croatia, assessing that they contribute to strengthening the country’s international position as well as its economic and investment development.

He also underscored that the state was “the first in Europe to hold a strategic dialogue with the United States in Washington, which, according to him, confirms the country’s credibility and active international position.

Referring to the reform process and the European agenda, Mucunski said that the country ranks first in the region in terms of disbursed funds from the European Union’s Growth Plan, which, he stressed, is a clear indication of the serious approach toward reforms and European integration.

“We are conducting a credible and responsible foreign policy that stands in protection of our national dignity and national interest,” Mucunski said.

Photo: MIA archive