US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited North Macedonia on October 4 warning of risks from “Russian bots and trolls” and Chinese economic influence. Pompeo is the most senior US official to visit the country since the ethnic conflict in 2001.

The visit came less than two weeks before the EU leaders are due to decide on setting a date for North Macedonia, and also Albania, to launch EU accession talks.

Pompeo met North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in the lakeside city of Ohrid where he also visited a 9th century Orthodox church renovated with USAID funds.

“The hearts and minds of North Macedonia citizens should guide your country forward, not Russian bots and trolls on social media,” Pompeo said.

Russians have been found to use social media to spread fake news and disinformation, including reports intended to impede Nato and EU expansion in the Western Balkans.

Russia strongly opposes the Nato accession of the Western Balkans countries, including North Macedonia which is set to become 30th member of the alliance.

Pompeo said he expects the US to ratify North Macedonia’s Nato accession protocol soon. So far 22 counties have ratified the deal.

“I also warned of the risks of Chinese investment in sensitive technologies and China’s bribe-heavy strategy to secure infrastructure deals,” Pompeo said.

Chinese companies are involved in several road infrastructure projects in the country including the construction of the Kicevo-Ohrid motorway. Through state-owned banks, China is providing loans worth billions of dollars to some Western Balkan countries for infrastructure projects and included the region in its One Belt, One Road project to enable trade links that benefit Chinese companies.

Pompeo commended North Macedonia on the historic Prespa Agreement with Greece that solved the name dispute and the friendship treaty with Bulgaria, which “contributes to the spirit of good relationships” between the countries.

He noted that fighting corruption is critical to the country’s EU and Nato and welcomed the steps that the government has taken to fight corruption and encourage greater accountability for anyone who has abused the public trust. 

“We want North Macedonia to succeed, not struggle with corruption or with debt,” Pompeo underlined.

Following the visit to Ohrid, Pompeo arrived in Greece to meet the country’s leaders.

He also visited Montenegro during his Balkan tour.