Skopje, 4 January 2026 (MIA) - The Government is fully behind the arguments and moves of our strategic partner - the United States. I am more concerned about the silence of countries in Europe and the world when international law was violated at the expense of Macedonia and its people, said Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on Sunday.

PM Mickoski was quizzed by reporters on the country's position regarding the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States, which Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski has welcomed, unlike the restraint by European countries and their position that the move undermines international law.

"At the time, they all went deaf and no one said anything. Now, they are all saying this is international law. I would leave this to the experts in international law. But once you make an exception in life, it then becomes a practice and the issue will, sooner or later, come back to haunt you," said Mickoski.

He referred to the Macedonian case and the precedent that had been made when the country changed its flag in order to become a UN member.

"Back when the Constitution and the name were changed, people were lied to that we would join the EU and NATO in 3-4 years. These are real precedents. There was also a Hague ruling not to block Macedonia but it was blocked anyway, and all of this amid the silence from those who are loud today. The Government is fully behind the arguments and moves of our strategic partner - the United States," said Mickoski.

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