The United Kingdom and North Macedonia signed a landmark Government-to-Government (G2G) partnership on Thursday aimed at strengthening trade ties and accelerating infrastructure development across key sectors including transport, health, energy and technology.
The agreement, signed at the Old Admiralty Building in London by UK Minister for Exports Gareth Thomas and North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski, includes provisions for technical assistance and access to up to £5 billion in UK Export Finance for projects in North Macedonia.
“This partnership opens a new chapter in our bilateral relationship,” said Thomas. “It will help British businesses export more to North Macedonia and support the delivery of high-quality infrastructure.”
The deal follows the announcement of a new Strategic Partnership between the two countries earlier this month during the European Political Community summit in Tirana, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski pledged closer cooperation on trade and foreign policy.
UK officials said the G2G arrangement will facilitate knowledge sharing and promote joint infrastructure initiatives through collaboration between UK firms and North Macedonian institutions. The UK is currently North Macedonia’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching £1.7 billion in the year to Q3 2024.
UK Ambassador to North Macedonia Matthew Lawson called the agreement a “significant milestone,” adding that it would deliver long-term benefits for citizens in both countries.
His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe, Chris Barton, also welcomed the agreement, saying it would enhance economic cooperation and help deliver “good-quality infrastructure” in North Macedonia.