Türkiye our 'most important' economic, trade ally: North Macedonian premier

Türkiye is the "most important" economic and trade ally of North Macedonia, prime minister of the Balkan country said on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Hristijan Mickoski said it was his first visit to Türkiye and he was satisfied.

Mickoski, expressing that Türkiye and his country share common cultural ties, said his meeting with Erdogan was a confirmation of the strategic cooperation between the two countries.

We attach great importance to the investments made by Turkish companies in North Macedonia, he said, adding: "We are collaborating in the field of gas with a large Turkish company. We are making a cooperation worth up to $1 billion."

Mickoski said the two countries also cooperate in the fields of education, culture, and security.

The High-Level Cooperation Council Mechanism is an important step for collaboration, Mickoski said, adding that relations between the two states are "very good."

"Turks living in our country are very important because they form the foundation of this cooperation. On the other hand, the Macedonians living in Türkiye are also very important to us," he said.

Mickoski said "Erdogan is my friend" and expressed his belief that the existing bilateral collaboration will continue.