UK-North Macedonia Agreement: No Migrant Deal

British Ambassador Matthew Lawson has dismissed rumors that the Strategic Partnership Agreement with the UK includes provisions on building migrant camps in the country, CE Report quotes MIA.

Speaking at a press conference, Ambassador Lawson said the strategic partnership was focused on investments and economic growth as well as boosting the already excellent trade relations between the two countries.

He said the countries' future cooperation regarding migrants was based on law enforcement authorities sharing intelligence and cooperating more intensely on tackling criminal gangs.

There was no talk of taking in migrants from Britain, he said.

"This is a broad partnership related to security, trade, defense and investments," Lawson said.

In response to a reporter's question if the Strategic Partnership Agreement with the UK would also introduce simplified procedures to make issuing visas for Macedonian citizens an easier process, the British ambassador said the UK was indeed under pressure from migrants, but potential visa facilitation could be discussed within the strategic partnership.