PM Hristijan Mickoski rejected claims that his recent statement that U.S. military aircraft use North Macedonia’s airports for logistical purposes has endangered the country’s security.
Responding to a journalist’s question at a government event, Mickoski described the claim as inaccurate and said North Macedonia has obligations to its strategic partners as a NATO member. He said the country provides logistical support to its allies when needed, arguing that this is consistent with its strategic interests.
Mickoski also apologized to North Macedonia’s strategic partners for what he called an inappropriate characterization by the media outlet.
In an interview with the U.S. outlet Breitbart, Mickoski said U.S. military aircraft involved in operations related to the conflict with Iran regularly land at and depart from Macedonian airports. He said some aircraft remain temporarily before continuing toward the Persian Gulf. He did not specify the aircraft involved, the airports used, or whether they receive fuel or other logistical support. The comments come amid Iranian warnings to neighboring countries against allowing their territory or military bases to be used for operations against Iran.