Skopje, 15 April 2025 (MIA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski, who is part of a government delegation visiting the United Arab Emirates, has revealed that negotiations are under way with Air Arabia for flights.

The focus is on tourism, infrastructure and education as sectors of cooperation, according to him.

“We’ve had many meetings, we will sign several economic cooperation agreements. We’ve been talking about direct connections, we already have an agreement with Fly Dubai for a direct Dubai-Skopje flight, which is to launch soon. We’re in talks with Air Arabia, too, to launch at least two flights, with one flight, I hope, to the Ohrid region so as to additionally boost tourism,” stated Nikoloski.

The delegation, led by PM Mickoski, had meetings today with the chambers of commerce of the emirates Sharjah and Dubai.

“We discussed ways to invest in Macedonia in infrastructure, tourism and agriculture. We discussed the many opportunities offered by tourism in Macedonia, both mountain and lake tourism. Also, talks focused on corridors 8 and 10, which are considered crucial to connect the whole of Europe, not only Macedonia, and we’ve been presenting them to the chambers of commerce in the United Arab Emirates as a way to attract investors in Macedonia. Also, the political part of the visit is very important. Tomorrow, we’ll meet with the prime minister. Later in the day, several important agreements for economic, educational and tourism cooperation will be signed by ministers, which will contribute to accelerated development,” stated Nikoloski.

I hope these meetings, he added, will attract investors in Macedonia to open new well-paid jobs allowing the country to prosper.

The government delegation kicked off the official visit to UAE on Monday with a meeting with the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During its UAE visit, which concludes on Thursday, the government team will meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai who serves as the vice president and prime minister of the UAE, with officials of the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, the state-owned Mubadala Investment Company, Masdar, the state-owned renewable energy company, and with several chambers of commerce so as to examine prospects for cooperation in infrastructure projects, investments in agribusiness, renewable energy sources, tourism, innovations and modern technology.

The delegation consists of Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski, Government Secretary General Igor Janushev, Free Zones Directorate head Goce Dimovski, National Coordinator for Tourism Akkan Mahmut and representatives of several state institutions.

Photo: Deputy PM Aleksandar Nikoloski's Facebook profile