North Macedonia reaffirms NATO, US, and EU strategic ties at UN

North Macedonia UN General Assembly EU integration Hristijan Mickoski Venko Filipce

In an address to the 81st UN General Assembly, North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski reaffirmed the nation's strategic orientation toward NATO, the United States, and the European Union. He emphasized that the country's geography should be an advantage through the development of pan-European Corridors 8 and 10, which aim to connect the Adriatic, Black, and Aegean Seas with Central Europe.

Mickoski also discussed the necessity of UN reform and addressed migration, stating that it is driven by a lack of security, employment, and economic perspective. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure, including energy security and digital connectivity through data centers and artificial intelligence.

Opposition leaders have responded with varying perspectives. Venko Filipce of the SDSM criticized the government's management, alleging that a new spatial plan for opening five new mines—including Ilovica–Štuka and Kazandol—threatens public health and the environment. He further claimed that approximately 40% of Macedonian media are owned by individuals linked to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Meanwhile, Brane Petruševski of VMRO-DPMNE supported the government's geopolitical direction but called for a more predictable EU integration process based on measurable criteria rather than continuous, unfulfilled requirements.

Entities

Albin Kurti · Alexander Stubb · European Union · Hristijan Mickoski · Janez Janša · Kaja Kallas · North Macedonia · Slovenia · United Nations · Venko Filipče

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] North Macedonia's GDP grew by more than 3.5% in 2025. gazeta.mk · faktiditor.ch
[● 4 SOURCES] Pan-European Corridors 8 and 10 represent a strategic advantage for North Macedonia. gazeta.mk · zhurnal.mk · faktiditor.ch · lider.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] North Macedonia's GDP growth exceeded 3.7% in the first half of 2026. gazeta.mk · faktiditor.ch
[● 4 SOURCES] North Macedonia's diverse ethnic and religious communities live in peace and unity. gazeta.mk · zhurnal.mk · faktiditor.ch · lideri.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The green transition must be socially and economically sustainable to maintain political support. lider.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Developing Corridors VIII and X aims to connect the Adriatic, Black, and Aegean Seas with Central Europe.
[● 2 SOURCES] The European Union must ensure predictability and follow its own established rules regarding enlargement.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Migration is driven by a lack of security, employment, education, access to water, and economic perspective. lider.mk
[○ 1 SOURCE] The process of European integration has exceeded any reasonable timeframe.
[● 2 SOURCES] North Macedonia is an ally in NATO, considers the US a strategic partner, and seeks full EU membership. ohridsky.com · plusinfo.mk
[● 7 SOURCES] Filipce expressed concern to French senators regarding the rule of law, judicial independence, and media pluralism in Macedonia. denesmagazin.mk · press24.mk · nezavisen.mk · tocka.com.mk · denesen.mk
[● 3 SOURCES] Filipce raised concerns about the illegal entry of Serbian media into the Macedonian media space. nezavisen.mk · denesmagazin.mk