Mickoski warns Macedonia could be drawn into others' problems

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski warned on 23 October that Macedonia could be pulled into other countries' crises, and urged citizens to resist provocations and artificially inflated ethnic issues. He made the remarks during a solemn academy marking 23 October – the Day of the Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle.

“The Balkans are no longer the only powder keg. In fact, Europe is becoming an uneasy volcano. Reason is heard less and less, and every day we see protests and various forms of violence present in European countries and among our neighbours. And in the Balkans the services never stop working. I would not be surprised if there are those who will try to involve us in their problems or to transfer part of their atmosphere into our daily life,” Mickoski said.

Government projects, economy and public fatigue

Speaking about the government's record, Mickoski listed infrastructure investments: six motorway sections, two gas pipelines and one transmission line, more than €90 million put into educational infrastructure, and over half a billion euros earmarked for more than 1,200 municipal projects.

He said that during a visit to Montenegro the previous day some of his interlocutors praised the country's economic achievements, after which he felt proud of the government's results. “When yesterday in Montenegro I spoke to my interlocutors about the economic achievements, some of them themselves approached us and said you are excellent, then for the first time I felt, already two years and a month since I have been Prime Minister, I felt proud and I thank all of you and all my colleagues in the Government who together contributed to achieve this,” he said.

Mickoski also stressed the need for politicians to justify public trust every day and said the government will respond to criticism with work and dedication. “I know there are people who work honestly, and at the end of the month again calculate what they can pay and what they must postpone. I know there are parents who rejoice at their children's success, and inside fear that that success will take them far from home. Before those people every holder of public office must show modesty and respect. Their suffering deserves an answer, their time deserves respect, and their trust must be justified every day,” he said.

He warned that parts of the opposition could take part in destabilising scenarios for money or false promises of office. “As for domestic actors for such a game, it is very easy. There are several from the opposition who for money and false promises for a chair can perform wonders,” Mickoski said. He added that he will not allow dishonest games or adventures and cautioned anyone who thinks they can play with the state not to underestimate the people.

Photo: Vlada