British newspapers The Times and Daily Mail reported last Friday that asylum seekers that will be rejected asylum in the United Kingdom will be deported to North Macedonia, adding that official Skopje is negotiating with London over the possibility for establishing a center where rejected asylum seekers will be accepted, after which they can choose to either stay in North Macedonia and seek employment in sectors which face lack of staff, or leave the country.
The writings also add that the UK will be paying North Macedonia for accepting the asylum seekers. From the Government in Skopje, they denied the claims, disregarding them as writings for internal political use.
“The only truth about this was stated by British Ambassador in Skopje, Matthew Lawson, back in May 2025, when he clearly stated that North Macedonia will not accept illegal migrants from the UK”, they government said in a press release.
VMRO-DPMNE, too, responded to the claim, after the opposition SDSM party requested the government say what they had agreed to with the UK.
“Let’s be clear, for the sake of the public: Macedonia has not, does not plan on and is not negotiating on opening any migrant camps”, VMRO-DPMNE said.
VMRO-DPMNE MP Antonio Miloshoski rejected opposition claims and added that the British ambassador confirmed no such plan exists, noting the bilateral strategic agreement covers investment in infrastructure, education, and defense, but not camps.
Miloshoski stressed the UK’s cooperation with Balkan states focuses on combating illegal migration through mechanisms complementary to Frontex. From the British Embassy in Skopje, however, they issued a statement via their profiles on social media, in which the information is neither confirmed, nor denied.
“Following a pivotal meeting between Prime Ministers Starmer and Mickoski in May the United Kingdom and North Macedonia established a Strategic Partnership focused on a long-term political, economic, and security framework designed to deepen cooperation and strengthen stability and prosperity in both countries. As part of this, the UK and North Macedonia signed a Government-to-Government Partnership to deliver critical infrastructure projects in North Macedonia.
This collaboration was also reinforced by both Prime Ministers at the Berlin Process that the UK hosted in October this year. Additionally, both nations are cooperating through the Joint Migration Task Force to combat irregular migration and organized immigration crime, strengthening security and tackling criminal networks. We stand strong with our NATO Ally North Macedonia to advance prosperity, security, and economic growth”, the British Embassy informed.