Hristijan Mickoski, leader of North Macedonia’s opposition party VMRO-DPMNE, is set to visit Washington on January 18, just two days before the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts and observers are closely following the visit, highlighting its potential implications for North Macedonia’s international standing and strategic goals.
Analyst Xhelal Neziri emphasizes that Mickoski should push for greater U.S. engagement to unblock North Macedonia’s EU accession process and secure guarantees from Bulgaria. “Mickoski can and likely will request more U.S. involvement to resolve the integration process. This includes seeking assurances from Bulgaria that, after the constitutional amendments are passed, it will no longer impose further blockades,” Neziri told Voice of America.
Political analyst Petar Arsovski views Mickoski’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration as a positive signal. “The presence of North Macedonia’s Prime Minister at such a significant event shows that the U.S. views the country as a serious strategic partner. This is crucial for a small country like North Macedonia,” Arsovski said.
However, Arsovski tempers expectations, pointing out that the visit coincides with a transitional period for the new U.S. administration. “We should not expect spectacular solutions from this visit for several reasons. First, this is a protocol event, and Trump’s foreign policy is still being shaped. Second, the U.S. will likely focus on global challenges, such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and tensions with China and Russia,” he explained.
Neziri, however, underscores the broader significance of the visit. “For a small country in a region with significant challenges, this invitation reflects the U.S.’s sustained interest in the Balkans and North Macedonia specifically. It reassures us that the U.S. will continue to guarantee security, democracy, and economic and social development in the region,” he added.
In an interview with state news agency MIA, Mickoski announced plans for high-level meetings with officials from both the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations. He expressed a desire to address and resolve key issues impacting North Macedonia’s progress. “Apart from Brussels, Washington is extremely important for us as a country and for us as a government. I aim to draw attention to the Balkans and ensure that the U.S. views the region through a different lens,” Mickoski stated.
Neziri believes that the meetings, if strategically prepared, could yield significant benefits. “This visit is important not just diplomatically but also in terms of security and advancing the country’s EU integration by addressing all the obstacles along that path,” he said.
Still, Arsovski notes that North Macedonia’s diplomacy must be better prepared. “When you have an opportunity to engage with a superpower, you need to be fully prepared. This includes concrete proposals and plans, such as fully utilizing the Strategic Partnership Agreement. A serious plan for advancing EU integration and resolving the dispute with Bulgaria, as well as forging additional strategic partnerships, must be on the table—prepared in a way that the U.S. administration will simply say ‘yes.’”
Mickoski’s visit has sparked both optimism and caution, with its success likely hinging on the preparation and substance of North Macedonia’s diplomatic agenda.
