Filipçe From Struga: Government Brings in Chinese Money and Undermines Partnerships With the U.S. and EU

The leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), Venko Filipçe, declared today from Struga that the Government is bringing Chinese money into the country and undermining partnerships with the United States of America and the European Union. “It is clear that the U.S. administration knows well that Hristijan is leading a government that brings Chinese money into the country, contrary to our common interests of partnership with the United States of America,” Filipçe said.

Filipçe also commented on the official visit of the government delegation to the U.S., noting that Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is not on the list of state leaders whom U.S. President Donald Trump will meet, and that the reasons for this, according to him, should be sought in Mickoski’s policies. “We see during this period the official visit to the U.S., a large delegation, who knows how many people have gone and who pays those large expenses. Our information is that over 50 people have gone to America. Today the list of statesmen, officials whom President Trump will meet, was published — Hristijan Mickoski is not on that list,” Filipçe said.

According to the opposition leader, the U.S. is well aware of Prime Minister Mickoski’s policies, which run counter to the strategic partnership. He accused the authorities of “taking part in drug smuggling across the border, undermining democracy and controlling the media together with Russian-Serbian ties,” adding that in this way partnerships with strategic partners — the European Union and the U.S. — are not fulfilled.

As one indicator, Filipçe mentioned that for the first time since the country’s independence, this year America has reduced military aid to North Macedonia. The statements come at a moment when the Government’s relations with China and the strategic partnership with the U.S. are at the center of political debate in the country.

Source: Skopje1