North Macedonia Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has alleged that recent tensions involving his country stem from what he described as a coordinated Bulgarian effort aimed at exerting political influence, according to remarks reported by BTA and aired in an interview with MRT marking two years of VMRO-DPMNE governance.
He claimed that “behind the provocations that have occurred recently, there is an organized Bulgarian campaign” targeting North Macedonia, suggesting that the effort is being carried out “through one or two political figures” in order to advance what he called unacceptable objectives.
Mickoski described the situation as part of a wider pattern of influence attempts, arguing that political developments are rarely coincidental. Recalling a conversation with an experienced diplomat, he said: “If you ever think that things in politics happen by chance, believe me, it is not so. You are wrong, because you simply were not informed of what someone was planning.” He added that, in his view, coincidences in politics are highly unlikely.
The interview, which lasted more than two hours, also covered domestic political and economic issues, as well as the country’s stalled EU integration process. Mickoski reiterated his position that European Council conclusions should provide guarantees that North Macedonia would not face additional demands from Bulgaria during accession talks. He also commented on a document circulating on social media related to a trip by his family to Pamporovo, which he called a “diplomatic scandal.”
