The right to request a referendum is constitutionally guaranteed, but the Luke mining project is strategic for the state and the local population and is part of bilateral cooperation with the United States, Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in response to a reporter’s question at a press conference held Sunday.
PM Mickoski pointed out that every referendum initiative must be implemented in accordance with legal procedures, but expressed surprise at, as he said, the different positions within SDSM on this issue.
“I’m surprised by the fact that the f Kriva Palanka mayor, who comes from the ranks of SDSM, has a completely opposite opinion to this position of the SDSM leadership, because I have often communicated with him, as I did today. I was able to make sure that his stance is completely opposite, that first of all this project is part of our cooperation with the United States, partially financed by the United States,” Mickoski noted.
The PM stressed that the project, if implemented, will have to fully meet the constitutional and legal requirements, especially in the area of environmental protection, which, as Mickoski said, he and the investors guarantee.
PM Mickoski assesses that this is an investment with significant economic benefits for the region and the population, pointing out that the area is a typical mining area and that the project is strategic for both the state and the local community.
