OHRID, May 26 — North Macedonia and Croatia signed a strategic cooperation agreement on Tuesday, opening what both governments described as a new phase in bilateral relations between the two NATO allies.
North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković signed the agreement in Ohrid, alongside a separate memorandum on energy cooperation between the two countries’ relevant ministries.
Mickoski said the agreement was more than a diplomatic act and would serve as a framework for long-term partnership.
“This agreement represents a framework for long-term partnership and a clear strategic commitment to deepen our relations in areas essential for the future of both countries,” Mickoski said.
The deal covers cooperation in transport, energy, information technology, industry, health, education, public security, civil protection, defense, cybersecurity and border management.
Mickoski said the agreement would also strengthen ties between institutions, companies, investors, universities, civil society and expert communities.
Plenković said Croatia remained a strong supporter of North Macedonia’s European Union path and described the country’s long wait for accession progress as an injustice lasting more than two decades.
He said Zagreb would continue helping Skopje and expressed hope that the stalled EU integration process could be unblocked through continued dialogue, including with Bulgaria.
Mickoski said North Macedonia’s EU integration had been turned into a bilateralized process and repeated that Skopje would not accept new identity-related concessions as the price for progress.
He said North Macedonia would continue reforms and remain committed to EU membership despite what he called unprincipled blockades.
The two leaders also discussed the rights of the Croatian minority in North Macedonia and the Macedonian minority in Croatia, as well as proposed constitutional changes involving ethnic communities.
Economic cooperation was also discussed, with Plenković saying bilateral trade now stands at around 300 million euros and should increase further.
A Croatian business delegation was expected to meet companies from North Macedonia during the visit.
Plenković also said both sides wanted more tourism in both directions, including through a possible new air connection with Ohrid.
The energy memorandum aims to strengthen energy security and improve North Macedonia’s links with regional energy networks.
The talks also covered regional security, migration, cyber threats, infrastructure, investment and broader geopolitical developments affecting Europe.