North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said on Monday that his government would not compromise the country’s dignity or integrity in its efforts to join the European Union, urging Brussels to “deliver” on its promises toward Skopje.
“I expect a reaffirmation that our strategic goal remains full EU membership,” Mickoski told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “I hope there will be some delivery from the EU side as well – at least enough for us to preserve our dignity and reputation before entering, because with a lost face and dignity, we would be of no use to them either. This government has no intention of losing any more of either.”
Mickoski said that over the past 25 years, North Macedonia had gradually lost part of its national dignity while pursuing its EU path, but vowed that his administration would not repeat that experience.
“In these 25 years of walking toward the EU, it seems we’ve slowly lost our sense of pride,” he said. “This government will not continue down that road.”
Von der Leyen is due in Skopje on Tuesday as part of a Western Balkans tour aimed at reaffirming the EU’s commitment to enlargement in the region.