VMRO-DPMNE: SDSM’s claims about Mickoski’s US visit are rumors — meetings with senior American officials are fact

The ruling VMRO-DPMNE party reacted today to opposition SDSM’s claims about the agenda of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski’s visit to the United States, describing the Social Democrats’ statements as “rumors.” According to the ruling party’s response, the Macedonian prime minister’s meetings with senior US administration officials are fact and cannot be questioned.

The controversy erupted after SDSM claimed that Mickoski’s meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was actually an “informal hallway chat,” which the opposition says is being presented as a high-level official meeting. The Social Democrats argue that a meeting of such rank takes place in an office, with an official agenda and minutes — not in a hallway, without a tie and with hands in pockets.

For his part, Prime Minister Mickoski has described the meeting with Rubio as a confirmation of the strategic partnership between North Macedonia and the United States, as well as a continuation of the political dialogue between the two countries.

In response to the opposition’s doubts, VMRO-DPMNE announced it would publicize an official meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The party gave no further details, but warned that the publication of this meeting would follow during the day.

SDSM has also criticized the visit’s main announced result: a US$5 million grant for developing the antimony mine at Krstov Dol in Kriva Palanka, questioning the real weight of this achievement.

Source: 360 Stepeni