Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

The European Parliament closely monitors political and socio-economic development in the enlargement countries and the standing rapporteur of the European Parliament usually presents its report following the Commission’s enlargement package. As the newly appointed standing rapporteur for North Macedonia, I have the honour to present my first report in response to the Commission’s 2023 and 2024 country reports. With this report, I aim to provide a balanced assessment of North Macedonia’s complex political context while urging political stakeholders to advance reforms, honour past agreements, and I call on EU institutions and Member States to prevent future bilateral blockades and provide the country with the necessary assurances and tailor-made support.

With the successful implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement (2001) the country became a role model in the region for the peaceful resolution of ethnic disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding. Only four years after the signature of this agreement, North Macedonia obtained candidate status in 2005, and has long been a frontrunner in the region. The country has undertaken impressive and difficult reforms—including a historic name change—yet its accession process has been obstructed for far too long due to bilateral disputes. In 2022, to overcome Bulgaria’s veto on accession talks, the EU included Bulgaria’s demands in the Council conclusions related to North Macedonia’s accession, with the EU acting as guarantor of their implementation. The so-called French proposal, however, set a concerning precedent by allowing the accession process to be used for resolving cultural and historical disputes. While this agreement ultimately led to the lifting of the veto, the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on July 19, 2022, and the start of screening, it also required North Macedonia to amend its Constitution to include the Bulgarian minority. Screening sessions for all six clusters were completed by December 7, 2023, and the country will be able to move to the next phase of negotiations once the constitutional amendments are adopted.

Years of setbacks and unfulfilled promises have understandably led to frustration, disappointment and a continuous decline in public support for EU integration in North Macedonia. However, amid these times of major shifts in the international world order as Europe knows it, there is a renewed sense of urgency and an important opportunity to advance the accession process. All political stakeholders, particularly Members of Parliament from the ruling coalition and the government, must seize this moment and engage in constructive dialogue to achieve consensus on the aforementioned constitutional amendments. The EU and its Member States must fully support this endeavour, including providing assurances that the constitutional changes will not lead to further bilateral demands.

North Macedonia has drafted an excellent and ambitious reform agenda – arguably one of the best in the region. Its rigorous implementation would put the country back on track, especially in key areas such as fighting corruption, ensuring judicial independence, reforming public administration, and improving the situation of media freedom. However, some recent developments, including the country’s decision to abstain from the latest European resolution on Ukraine in the UN General Assembly while co-sponsoring the U.S. resolution in February 2025, have raised concerns among North Macedonia’s EU supporters about its long-term trajectory.

I sincerely hope that all parties—North Macedonia’s authorities, EU institutions, and neighbouring countries—recognise the urgency of the moment and act decisively to move forward.

As for the responsibility of this House, I am committed to building a stable, constructive, pro-European, pro-democratic, and pro-enlargement alliance in support of North Macedonia’s EU accession. I hope to secure the support of every Member who shares this goal.