Skopje, 24 January 2025 (MIA) – Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday he sees no problem to meet and talk with the new Bulgarian Prime Minister, Rosen Zhelyazkov, in order, as he said, a solution to be found to unblock the country’s EU accession process.

I’d take steps, absolutely, he told journalists after touring a construction site on Katlanovo – Gradmanci road.

“I’d talk with him, the newly elected prime minister of the neighbouring country. I’d meet anytime, anywhere for as long as it takes in order to find a way to unblock the process that is deadlocked for more than two decades,” said Mickoski. 

European values cannot be defended with bilateral issues, he stressed, adding the national positions are unchanged.

“We want to see whether we can all sit down together with our strategic partners from the EU and the US so as to accelerate the process because European values cannot be defended with bilateral issues,” Mickoski said. 

On being accused of irredentism by Greece following his remarks that the Macedonian issue isn’t closed, Mickoski stressed that until the strategic goals are met - the country joining the EU - the Macedonian issue will remain open.

“In the 21st century, the Macedonian identity is still being challenged. It’d be irresponsible of me if I said the Macedonian issue was closed. I will fight for the Macedonian issue as long as I’m the head of the Macedonian government because it is what the citizens expect,” Mickoski said. 

MIA file photo