Protection of Macedonian national interests, the potential of diplomatic and consular missions in the area of economic diplomacy and protection of citizens living outside the borders of our country are the three strategic national interests, which will be presented today to the members of the Ambassadorial Council, Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski said Thursday.
“Protection of Macedonian national interests comes first. Second is the use of the potential of our diplomatic and consular missions in the area of economic diplomacy, but also the stimulation of trade, i.e. the export component of our economy. Third is the protection of the interests of our citizens outside its borders – regardless of whether they are Macedonians living outside our country or our citizens who travel for various reasons. And in that sense, here we are talking primarily about consular services and the need for their modernization, better services for Macedonians outside the borders of the country,” said Mucunski.
Asked which markets he sees the greatest potential for, the FM says that there is no dilemma because our key market for economic cooperation is the countries of the European Union.
“They are our most important trade partner – the member states of the European Union. But equally important in the recent period is the impetus that we are giving towards enhanced trade cooperation with the United States of America. The President of India was here recently on a visit. India is also an important market. The countries of the Arabian Gulf are also countries with which we see interest and see enhanced cooperation in the coming period. So, of course, our primary cooperation is with those traditional trade partners, but we are also opening up opportunities for new markets and these are part of the priorities of our diplomatic and consular missions,” noted FM Mucunski.
