site.btaNorth Macedonia's PM to EU Ambassadors in Skopje: Cabinet Is Focused on Reform Programme

North Macedonia's Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski Thursday said that his government has an ambitious reform programme for 2026, which it intends to complete with the aim of "doing its homework, and then it will be up to the EU Member States to decide how to proceed." He was speaking at a meeting with the ambassadors of EU Member States in Skopje, the government press service reported.

According to Mickoski, active work on the Reform Programme began immediately after the local elections in fall 2025. "What we can achieve, we will achieve. What we cannot achieve, we will give our reasons why we cannot, and we are always ready for honest dialogue and conversation with our partners in the international community, especially with our partners in the EU," Mickoski is quoted as saying.

"So that there is no dilemma - because some of you often ask me - this ambitious programme itself says that we will not have elections this year because we are focused on reforms and bringing order to the country," he told the ambassadors. Mickoski gave as example the Safe City projects. "Unfortunately, some of the opposition are abusing this and trying to politicise it again, and some are trying to 'ethnicise' it. Then there is the fight against crime and corruption, certain laws related to public health, such as the Tobacco Smoking Act. We are working with stakeholders, manufacturers, and affected parties, such as the hotel and tourism sectors, and I think that in the next few weeks we will reach a decision that all of us will support," the Prime Minister argued.

There are other laws, such as the Gambling Act, some of which have already been adopted, while others will be adopted at the Cabinet's meeting next week, he added.

According to him, the intention is for these meetings with the ambassadors of EU Member States to become regular. The next one will be held in March, followed by meetings every three months, so that the ambassadors accredited in North Macedonia would be informed about the steps taken under the country's Reform Programme.