Skopje, 27 April 2026 (MIA) - If I had to summarize the foreign policy of the past two years, it would be in three words: dignity, results, and vision, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski told the Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee on Monday. 

"Dignity - because national interest is not defended with aggressive rhetoric, but with clear positions, strong arguments and institutional integrity. Results - because citizens rightly expect foreign policy to bring visible benefits: investments, security, jobs, easier travel and a greater reputation in the world. Vision - because the state must know where it wants to be in five, ten and twenty years. We must not just react to other people's agendas. We must have our own agenda," said Mucunski. 

The Minister pointed out that governments and party compositions come and go, but the country, the citizens and national interest remain, and therefore foreign policy must be a space for national unity, not an arena for party points.

"I call for responsible debate and criticism when necessary. But I also call for consensus when defending the state. Our task is for Macedonia to be a respected, safe, economically connected and European integrated country. A country that does not wait for others to define it, but writes its own story. A country that protects its citizens, respects its commitments and knows how to defend its interests," Mucunski said.

The 2024-2026 period, he noted, was marked by an important transformation of the country's diplomacy. By taking over responsibilities for foreign trade, the Ministry got a new role and a new responsibility, and today it is not only an institution for political communication with abroad, but a center for coordinating the international performance of the state: political, economic, trade, investment and development.

"Because modern diplomacy is not measured by the number of meetings held, but by whether those meetings bring investments, jobs, energy security, new markets and greater reputation. Diplomacy must open doors for Macedonian companies, build partnerships for infrastructure, attract technologies and position the country where decisions are made," said Mucunski.

The Minister stressed that European integration remains the central axis of the country's foreign policy, but the approach is clear: the European Union must not be just a distant political goal, but it must be a process that brings concrete benefits to citizens.

"In the past period, we have been conducting an intensive political dialogue with the EU institutions and the member states. With a clear goal - to explain our position, to affirm the reform agenda and to demand a fair, predictable and meritocratic approach to our accession. Our message is principled: we want to make progress based on results, not on political conditions, changing by the year. We want European criteria, rules and predictability. This is not a request for making allowances. This is a request for justice," Mucunski said. 

He particularly highlighted the security and defense partnership with the EU. "After the signing in November 2024, in 2025 we held the first security and defense dialogue. This is a significant step forward. The country is no longer just a waiting candidate. It is a contributing partner," said Mucunski.

In parallel, he added, the country continued its 100% alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy. "And it is no coincidence that foreign policy remains one of the highest rated areas in the European Commission's reports. This is recognition of our geopolitical clarity and our ability to be a credible European partner," the Foreign Minister said. 

In addition, he pointed out, the country concluded two important strategic partnership agreements with the United Kingdom, a strategic cooperation agreement with Hungary, and a similar agreement is expected to be concluded with Croatia soon. 

As regards the strategic partnership with the United States, he said meetings with the U.S. administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have reaffirmed mutual commitment to reactivating and deepening the strategic dialogue.

The NATO membership, Mucunski pointed out, remains one of the pillars of national security. "We have met the target of 2% of GDP for defense and have set a clear projection for further increase. We are not doing this because someone ordered us to. We are doing this because security has a price, and insecurity has an even higher price," said the Minister.

The Western Balkans, he noted, remains a region in which stability must not be taken for granted and the position in NATO is important for the country itself, for the neighborhood and for the broader Euro-Atlantic security.

Commenting on regional cooperation, Mucunski said relations with neighbors are built on three principles: dialogue, respect and concrete projects, noting that "we are not running away from open issues, but we refuse to be prisoners of rhetoric that brings nothing to the citizens".

"With Greece, we are seeing positive dynamics in the economy, energy and infrastructure. The gas interconnector, Corridor X, the Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline, the Markova Noga border crossing - these are projects that create real benefits for real people," he said.

With Bulgaria, Mucunski added, relations are challenging, but the approach remains constructive and principled. "We are ready for dialogue in good faith. But we are also obliged to say clearly: the European process must be based on criteria, not on bilateralization. Corridor VIII and the railway connection are projects of strategic importance, not only for us and Bulgaria, but for the entire region, for NATO and for Europe," the Foreign Minister said.  

"With all our partners, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Turkey and others, we are working to deepen political, economic and infrastructure cooperation. Our goal is for the region to be a space of connection, not a line of division. A bridge to Europe, not its periphery," said Mucunski.

The Minister noted that in terms of multilateral diplomacy, the country has strengthened both its visibility and credibility.

"We actively participate in the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, Francophonie and other international organizations. Closing the post-monitoring procedure in the Council of Europe is no small feat. It is confirmation that the country is making progress in democracy, the rule of law, human rights and good neighborly relations. Our co-chairing of the UNECE regional forum for sustainable development in Geneva showed something important: even a small country can have a visible role when it acts seriously and with clear priorities," Mucunski said. 

The diaspora, the Minister pointed out, is a special part of the state story and therefore a new 2026 - 2030 strategy for cooperation with the diaspora is being prepared.

"The goal is for the diaspora to be connected to the development of the state through investments, knowledge, networks, culture, language and support for young people," said Mucunski.

In consular work, the focus is on the citizen. "The treatment of the injured in the Kochani fire, the evacuation of over 650 of our citizens from crisis regions, the expansion of consular services, digitalization - all this sends one message: diplomacy is not just protocol. Diplomacy is a service," he added.

Mucunski noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has also worked on professionalization of the diplomatic and consular network through amendments to the Law on Foreign Affairs, the commitment that at least 50% of ambassador candidates must be professional diplomats, improvement of working conditions, etc. 

"The state must have a professional, motivated and modern diplomatic service. Diplomacy is not built only on improvisation and personal enthusiasm. It must have a system, institutional memory, knowledge, discipline and a clear strategy," Mucunski said.

At Monday's session of the Foreign Policy Committee, the Minister also took questions from the MPs.

Photo: Parliament / Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade