Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski departs for Belgium; trip contains both private and official elements
Government says private stay in Bruges and official duties in Brussels; no details on planned meetings were released.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has departed for a previously announced trip to Belgium that he said would include four days in Bruges and four days in Brussels.
The Government has confirmed the visit combines private and official elements: Mickoski's private stay will be in Bruges, while the official portion of the trip will take place in Brussels. Officials did not specify which institution he will visit or with whom he will hold official meetings in the Belgian capital.
Timing and the chances of meetings
Observers note that the administration of the European Union is formally on collective leave until 15 August, operating only minimal crisis-response and rotating administrative teams, which makes substantive official meetings with EU institutions during this period unlikely.
When asked whether the prime minister travelled on a commercial flight or by state plane, the Government said he flew on a flight to Vienna and was allocated seat 11d. The Government also stated that Mickoski is covering the cost of his travel personally.
As required by international protocol, authorities in the destination country and the Embassy of North Macedonia in Belgium were notified about his travel, the Government added.
Photo: press material from the event
