North Macedonia, steps in place in the integration process

2025-11-05 21:01:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Limited progress in the field of justice, significant stagnation in the fight against corruption, and the failure to implement constitutional amendments are some of the criticisms in the EC report on North Macedonia.

"The country has not taken decisive steps to advance the negotiations within this year. North Macedonia must adopt the necessary constitutional changes to move forward on its European integration path," said Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Enlargement.

According to her, more decisive efforts are needed to fulfill the obligations as a candidate country for EU membership.

Mickoski: Although disappointed, we will fulfill our obligations

The path to the European Union is full of challenges, but we are determined to complete our tasks, to work on reforms. For North Macedonia, instead of the Copenhagen criteria, artificial conditions are being imposed by Bulgaria, said the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski.

"But let's finish our task, hand in our homework to impress the EU, even though this harms our values, we were elected to govern," Mickoski said.

According to him, unanimity as a mechanism within the EU is being misused. Macedonia has no guarantee that after the constitutional changes it will not face other bilateral demands. But anyway, according to Mickoski, the country's future is in the European Union.

"Enlargement to the Western Balkans means reunification of Europe. Despite all the disappointments, we share the same values ??with the EU," Mickoski said.

The EC report should be seen as a guide.

For VMRO-DPMNE politician Marjan Gjorgiev, the report on North Macedonia is "moderate". According to him, the solution for North Macedonia's progress towards European integration is for Bulgarians to be included in the Constitution, but with a delayed effect.

"The Assembly must vote with a large majority to include Bulgarians in the Constitution, but with delayed implementation," said Gjorgiev.

Andrej Petrov from SDSM assesses that Macedonia is at a key moment in its process towards the European Union, but emphasizes that the main word belongs to the government, which must take steps that are in the interest of the state and its citizens.

"When the government is elected, it is not there just to receive applause, it has the obligation to work in the interest of citizens and also make difficult decisions. Politics is not just populism, sometimes you have to do something that you consider good for the state," declared Petrov.

Political analyst Bashkim Selmani said that the EC report highlights that many reforms have not yet reached the depth necessary to guarantee sustainable changes. The government should see the EU report as a professional instrument for improvement and not as a critical document.

"It is time for the rhetoric of reforms to turn into concrete action through strengthening institutions, increasing transparency and depoliticizing public administration. Only if this cohesion is created can the country move forward towards meeting the membership criteria," said political analyst Bashkim Selmani.

No warning about constitutional changes

The Speaker of the Parliament, Afrim Gashi, said that there is no announcement of constitutional changes, even though there is a majority will towards the European Union.

"There is no warning of constitutional changes, but I am optimistic that the EU has a will for enlargement, the parliamentary majority should seize the opportunity," said Gashi./ DW