Skopje, 17 December 2025 (MIA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski as part of the delegation led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is on a working visit to Brussels Tuesday and Wednesday.

The summit taking place today is expected to be an important opportunity to reaffirm the European Union’s strategic commitment to enlargement towards the Western Balkans - a message that is welcome and sends a positive signal to the entire region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said in a press release.

Mucunski said that Prime Minister Mickoski, along with regional leaders and EU officials, will hold talks on several concrete initiatives as part of the gradual EU integration process. These include joining SEPA, a security and defence partnership, the roaming-free initiative, and other projects that allow citizens to directly experience the benefits of European integration.

Speaking to the national public broadcaster, Mucunski noted that, according to EU assessments, the government has shown strong commitment to implementing key reforms from the reform agenda after the local elections.

“Currently, a number of laws are in parliamentary procedure, mainly focused on the fight against corruption, reinforcing the rule of law and judicial reform, along with other legislative and by-law acts related to the reform agenda, whose adoption has been welcomed by the European Union,” Mucunski said.

He added that the EU has also positively assessed the government’s performance in the economy and education, with the highest rating noted in the area of foreign policy, namely alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy.

“Our place is in Brussels and our place is as a full member of the European Union. Unfortunately, in recent years we have been faced with bilateral blockades,” Mucunski said, noting that this matter will be raised during the discussions.

He stressed that the government will remain focused on technical harmonisation and fulfilling the necessary criteria, while also highlighting the importance of jointly with EU member states finding solutions to overcome the existing bilateral obstacles.

“I regret that in recent weeks we have not seen sufficient goodwill in return, despite the reform processes we are implementing, which are recognised both in Brussels and by the EU member states. We will continue on our path, with a focus on domestic reforms, and with regard to bilateral issues we will seek a rational solution that will not jeopardise national interests,” Mucunski said.

Speaking about the reforms, he stressed that their effects are felt most directly by citizens, noting that the country is among the first in the region in implementing some European policies.

“If there is goodwill and trust, there is no issue for which a solution cannot be found. Lately, we have felt a lack of goodwill on the part of Sofia. EU member states are following the narrative coming from there, and we expect their support in the process of finding a solution,” Mucunski stated.

Link to the statement given to MTV: https://we.tl/t-L0FxtTdZcf

Photo: MIA archive