site.btaEP Rapporteur Urges North Macedonia to Accelerate Reforms amid EU Accession Talks

The European Parliament’s rapporteur for North Macedonia, Thomas Weitz, Thursday expressed hope that Skopje will not miss the opportunity to advance its EU accession negotiations. Weitz presented a summary of his proposal for the new annual report on North Macedonia, which began discussions in the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Thursday.

Weitz highlighted that constitutional reforms remain a key condition, as set out in the EU Council-approved negotiating framework. "It is clear that minority rights, including the right to self-determination, are part of European legislation and included in the negotiating framework," he said. He stressed that additional minority groups must be formally recognized in the Constitution. The rapporteur also noted that North Macedonia has significant work ahead on rule of law reforms, transparency in media ownership, and combating fake news, all essential for boosting foreign investments and accessing EUR 48 million in EU funding.

Weitz emphasized that 2026 has been designated a "year of reforms", with no elections planned, presenting a crucial window for progress. He urged North Macedonia's authorities to step up efforts to meet all EU accession criteria by mid-year, warning that delayed reforms could result in EU funds being redirected to other countries. "There is a real window of opportunity, and I very much hope the North Macedonian government is not missing it," he concluded.

Weitz pointed out progress that North Macedonia has achieved, such as the development of transport corridors 8 and 10, ongoing support to Ukraine, and inclusion in the Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA), which has tangible benefits for citizens, especially migrant workers.

He also acknowledged some progress in media freedom and civil society but noted a "slightly shrinking space" for independent media and NGOs. Rule of law reforms remain urgent, particularly to provide legal certainty for foreign investors and to advance environmental initiatives like waste and wastewater management.

During committee discussions, MEP Ivaylo Valchev (European Conservatives and Reformists) warned that the Skopje government continues to cultivate a narrative of external threats to deflect from domestic issues. "Public statements by Prime Minister Mickoski often escalate confrontational rhetoric toward opposition parties, critical media, neighboring states, and the EU," Valchev said, adding that this undermines the foundational spirit of good-neighborly relations. He also criticized the lack of final anti-corruption convictions at the highest levels of power and warned that manufactured identity debates are being used to stall progress in EU negotiations.

Stanislav Stoyanov (Europe of Sovereign Nations) noted that the people of North Macedonia have waited long enough, but the political elite refuses to fulfill its commitments. "At this pace - and I say it with regret - the negotiation process may last not 20, but 120 years," Stoyanov said. According to him, the main obligations, including constitutional reforms, remain unfulfilled, and there is a lack of political will to implement the good-neighborly treaty with Bulgaria. Stoyanov urged Skopje to guarantee equal opportunities and rights for all ethnic communities in the country. “We continue to expect that North Macedonia will begin fulfilling its obligations, following the example of its Western Balkan neighbors," he added.

A representative of the European Commission emphasized that political will is necessary for North Macedonia to make progress toward EU membership. According to him, the actual start of the negotiations can be expected immediately after Skopje meets the preliminary conditions, including the adoption of constitutional amendments.

The chair of the parliamentary committee, David McAllister, clarified that proposals for additions and amendments to the draft report are expected by March 6. According to him, a vote in the European Parliament committee could take place on May 5.