Slovak minister Blanár in Skopje: against double standards, no signed agreements announced
On October 29 Blanár backed Macedonia’s European integration and praised the country on the Growth Plan. No signed documents have been announced.
Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár was on an official visit to Skopje on Thursday, October 29. His host was Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski. The visit was covered by 360 Stepeni, Sitel, MRT, Skopjeinfo, Netpress, Kurir and Republika. Below is an overview of the day and what was said.
The programme. According to the announcement, the day began with a one-on-one meeting between Mucunski and Blanár, followed by a plenary meeting of the two delegations. At 11:05 there was a joint press conference, and Blanár also met the Speaker of the Assembly, Afrim Gashi.
Double standards. Blanár said Slovakia is against double standards in the accession process and that it is unacceptable for different countries to have different criteria. That was the main message from the conference.
Support for membership. Slovakia, as Blanár stressed, supports Macedonia’s European integration and that has been its role since the start of the process. The Western Balkans, he said, should receive a clear signal that membership is real, because otherwise frustration may grow and the region may be lost.
The praise. Blanár singled out Macedonia as a successful example in implementing the Growth Plan and praised the government for its commitment to reforms.
What Mucunski said. In a post on social media he wrote that they discussed relations and cooperation in several areas, with a special focus on European integration and economic cooperation. He stressed a commitment to strengthening trade ties and creating conditions for new investment. He expects the European integration process to be credible, predictable and merit-based, with stronger momentum across the region. He also conveyed to Blanár Macedonia’s commitment to dialogue with Bulgaria.
What is not announced. The reports we checked mention no signed agreements or concrete bilateral arrangements. There are also no details on trade volumes or on the investments that were discussed. It is not stated either what exactly “double standards” means, that is, which countries and which criteria Blanár had in mind.
How to read the message on double standards. On this point Macedonia and Slovakia are on the same line: Mucunski wants a merit-based process, and Blanár wants the criteria to be the same for all countries. That is a shared formulation, not a shared decision. Decisions on negotiations are made by all EU member states together, so the support of one country does not by itself change the outcome.
What to follow. First, whether Slovakia will repeat its support when the EU discusses enlargement. Second, whether there will be further bilateral meetings on trade and investment. Third, whether concrete projects will be announced, because for now there are only statements of intent.
What it means. The visit is a diplomatic message of support, not an agreement. The value of such support is measured by whether Slovakia, as an EU member state, will express it in decisions in the Council, and that will be known only when concrete steps are decided.
MKNews Hub · Macedonia · October 30, 2026
