Skopje, 13 May 2026 (MIA) - Macedonian society has knowledge, it has talent, and people who succeed at home, but also all over the world. Now is the time to turn that potential into results. To create a country that will be strong enough to make young people want to stay, modern enough to make talents return, and confident enough to compete with the best, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said Wednesday at the Macedonia2025 Summit in Skopje.

In his address at the summit, Mucunski said in the current fast-changing world, small countries can’t win with their size, but they can win with knowledge, agility, reliable institutions, and the ability to adapt faster than others. 

“The most important message from this summit is probably that Macedonian society has knowledge, talent, people who succeed both at home and all over the world. But now it is time to turn that potential into results. The past two days we discussed economic growth, investments, leadership, innovations, digitization, and competitiveness. Serious issues were raised on how to build more efficient institutions, how to create a better business environment, and how to create the conditions for young people to see their future here, at home. A special emphasis was placed on artificial intelligence and digital transformation not as distant concepts, but as reality that is already changing the way we work, learn, and compete in the world. At a time when technology is developing faster than ever before, our task is to create a society that won’t just follow the changes, but will also know how to use them,” Mucunski said.

According to the Foreign Minister, Macedonian society has spent too long waiting for someone else to say and confirm that it can achieve things.

“I believe we can prove this by ourselves. I am especially proud that this summit has once again demonstrated the strength of the Macedonian diaspora. Our people, throughout the world, aren’t only emotionally connected to their homeland, they are also an important part of our future. Their knowledge, experience, global networks, and investments create new opportunities for development, innovations, and international affirmation of the country. And when a Macedonian entrepreneur in Toronto, engineer in Berlin, or professor in New York succeeds, it isn’t just personal success. It is proof of the capacity we have as a people. That is also why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade remains firmly committed to building even closer ties to the diaspora, as well as a modern economic diplomacy that creates new markets, new partnerships, and a higher living standard,” the Minister said. 

The Foreign Minister reiterated that a European future remains the country’s choice.

“A European future remains our choice. Not because someone owes it to us, but because this is the path of reforms, rule of law, strong institutions, and a higher living standard. No one can build our future but us. This is our task, our responsibility, and our generational opportunity. Our task for now is clear: to build a country that will be strong enough to make young people want to stay, modern enough to make talents return, and confident enough to compete with the best,” Mucunski said. 

Photo: MIA