Skopje, 6 December 2025 (MIA) — Following recent UK media claims that North Macedonia had entered formal talks with the UK about hosting a "return hub" for rejected asylum seekers from the UK, the British Embassy in North Macedonia recalled in a social media post that the two countries "established a Strategic Partnership focused on a long-term political, economic, and security framework designed to deepen cooperation and strengthen stability and prosperity in both countries."

"Following a pivotal meeting between Prime Ministers Starmer and Mickoski in May the United Kingdom and North Macedonia established a Strategic Partnership focused on a long-term political, economic, and security framework designed to deepen cooperation and strengthen stability and prosperity in both countries," the British embassy wrote on Facebook.

"As part of this, the UK and North Macedonia signed a Government-to-Government Partnership to deliver critical infrastructure projects in North Macedonia. This collaboration was also reinforced by both Prime Ministers at the Berlin Process that the UK hosted in October this year," the post said.

"Additionally, both nations are cooperating through the Joint Migration Task Force to combat irregular migration and organised immigration crime, strengthening security and tackling criminal networks. We stand strong with our NATO Ally North Macedonia to advance prosperity, security, and economic growth," it said.

VMRO-DPMNE, too, responded to the claim, after the opposition SDSM party requested the government say what they had agreed to with the UK.

"Let's be clear, for the sake of the public: Macedonia has not, does not plan on and is not negotiating on opening any migrant camps," VMRO-DPMNE said.

The claim was "another lie from the 'factory' of the same party that just a few years ago remained silent in the face of the largest migrant wave and turned the country into an uncontrolled transit zone," the party said.

"Today, they are playing the role of concerned patriots," it added.

Back in May, British Ambassador Matthew Lawson dismissed rumors that the Strategic Partnership Agreement with the UK included provisions on building migrant camps in the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Ambassador Lawson said the strategic partnership was focused on investments and economic growth as well as boosting the already excellent trade relations between the two countries.

He said the countries' future cooperation regarding migrants was based on law enforcement authorities sharing intelligence and cooperating more intensely on tackling criminal gangs.

There was no talk of taking in migrants from Britain, he said.

"This is a broad partnership related to security, trade, defense and investments," Lawson said. mr/