Mickoski: We are dedicated to building a solid partnership with Turkey

We are dedicated as a state of building a solid partnership and confirmation of Macedonian Turkish friendship on economic, political and cultural plan, said Prime Minister Christian Mickoski, who is on his first official visit to Turkey this afternoon.

-I am to confirm the good relations between the two nations. In our country, the Turkish community is a loyal part of the Macedonian society, just as the Macedonian community in Turkey is an important part the development of the Turkish state. I see a great supporter and friend in President Erdogan. His past, just like Turkey's past, is associated with my homeland, and this is a good opportunity to say that he is always welcome in Skopje, in Ohrid and anywhere in our country, and I hope he will do so soon. I am convinced that cooperation between the two countries will continue to develop in the spirit of mutual respect and common interests, in order to provide a better future for our citizens- said the prime minister.

Mickoski emphasized that he had an extremely important and constructive meeting with President Erdogan and pointed out that this meeting is a confirmation of traditional friendship, strong partnership and strategic cooperation between our two countries.

-It is an extremely pleased that this is my first visit to a friendly Turkey, a state with which we have many common elements in culture, tradition, common interests and excellent relations between the Macedonian and Turkish people, Macedonian citizens and Turkish citizens. At the meeting we discussed the deepening of bilateral relations in many areas, with particular emphasis on economic cooperation, investment and trade. Turkey is one of our most important economic partners, but also an inevitable force with great influence in the region, and the common commitment is to increase Turkish investments in Macedonia and create new opportunities for Macedonian companies on the Turkish market. We already have many positive examples of Turkish companies that work here, in the road and railway infrastructure, and on the other hand, as we have announced we have cooperation in the energy part of an important and large Turkish investment company in the construction of cogeneration gas power plants, a hot water and a gas network.

He emphasized that he also discussed with Erdogan about promoting cooperation in the field of security, education, culture and health. He emphasized that the two countries are NATO allies, and our common priority is stability and security in the region.

Mickoski and Erdogan signed a joint political declaration on the establishment of a high -level Cooperation Council. The Prime Minister stressed that the Council would determine the Strategy for Relations between Turkey and Macedonia in the areas of politics, security, defense, economics, trade, energy, transport, infrastructure, agriculture and forestry, media and communications, tourism, culture, science, art, young people, youth, education,

– This is an important step for relations between the two countries, and the foundations of this are contained in the very basic document called « Strategy for Strengthening Bilateral Relations between Macedonia and Turkey », signed in 2008. In order to develop the strategic partnership, we have made a decision to establish a high -level cooperation Council that is entitled « Council » in the document itself, which is aimed at deepening and intensifying cooperation in all areas of common interest at bilateral, regional and global level. Such a strategy will form the basis for the development of cooperation in these areas, and the council will encourage its implementation- said Prime Minister Mickoski.

Erdogan estimated that the signing of the political declaration of the establishment of the Council is a very important step that, as he pointed out, can raise the relations between our two countries in trade and economy to an even higher level. He noted that the purpose of the document was to trade around one billion euros last year, in the same ratio between the two countries.

-Last year we had about $ 1 billion in trade and I think we have to bring it two sided on the first occasion. There is a free trade agreement between the two countries that needs to be revised. Today we also referred to the relations we have in the military area and in the field of defense industry. Turkey is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Northern Macedonia. As our associate in NATO, we are two friendly countries that directly affect the preservation of peace in the Balkans. Our relationships over 30 years are as solid as the stone bridge in Skopje- said Erdogan.

He also emphasized the importance of the Turkish community in Northern Macedonia for maintaining close relations between the two countries.

-The Balkan should not be seen as a place for competition between nations. On the contrary, it should be a field for joint cooperation and development. The most important thing that binds the two countries are the Turks living and their community in Northern Macedonia. They used to migrate and came to that geography earlier than Anatolia and formed their own cultural foundations that bind us- Erdogan said.

As he stated, he mentioned to the Prime Minister in their conversations that « this friendship is under pressure from FETO and we must fight jointly against them. »

The two addressed and exchanged views on regional and global geostrategic issues such as the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza.