Filipche: Hristijan Mickoski not on list to meet Trump during U.S. visit

Hristijan Mickoski is not listed among the officials scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump during his visit to the United States, SDSM leader Venko Filipche said today.

Filipche links exclusion to government policies and shrinking U.S. military aid

Filipche told reporters that Washington is aware of the policies pursued by the government led by Mickoski and that those policies explain why a meeting with the U.S. president was not arranged.

“It is obvious that the American administration knows well that Hristijan leads a government that brings Chinese money into the country, contrary to our and our partner the U.S.'s interests. This government participates in cross-border drug smuggling, undermines democracy and controls the media together with Russian-Serbian connections. In that way a country is not governed, in that way partnerships with our strategic partners the EU and the U.S. are not fulfilled,” Filipche said.

The opposition leader also pointed to a recent decision by Washington to reduce military assistance as a sign of strained relations. Filipche noted that, for the first time since independence, the United States has cut military aid for the country.

“Maybe it is better for Mickoski and his delegation to stay under the radar in America. If they find out they are there, maybe they will house them together with the Venezuelan dictator Maduro and keep them on a tour,” Filipche added.

Filipche additionally questioned the size and cost of Mickoski’s delegation to the United States. Citing information from SDSM, he said the North Macedonian delegation currently in the U.S. numbers more than 50 people and asked who is covering the high travel expenses.

Mickoski, for his part, recently said he hoped to meet President Trump while attending this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Photo: SDSM