Brussels, 5 November 2025 (MIA) - Macedonian authorities continued to work on the roadmaps on the rule of law, public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions, and the action plan on the protection of minorities. It is important for North Macedonia to advance and finalise all the preparatory work related to the opening benchmarks for the fundamentals cluster, reads the European Commission's country progress report for 2025.

The report notes that following the first Intergovernmental Conference on accession negotiations of 19 July 2022, the Commission immediately launched the analytical examination of the EU acquis – the ‘screening’ process - that was completed in December 2023 and all screening reports on the six clusters were presented to the Council.

"The Council outlined to North Macedonia the terms for opening accession negotiations on the first cluster (fundamentals) once the constitutional amendments are adopted. In response, in December 2023, the authorities of North Macedonia adopted the roadmaps on the rule of law and public administration reform," reads the report.

It says the country maintained good relations with other enlargement countries and continued its engagement in regional initiatives, while adding that existing bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries need to be implemented in good faith by all parties, including the Prespa Agreement with Greece and the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria.

"North Macedonia maintained its full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, sending a strong signal of its strategic choice of EU accession and showing itself to be a reliable partner," reads the report.

The EC says the country has actively engaged with the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and has started to deliver on implementation of the plan’s four pillars of gradual integration with the EU single market, regional economic integration, fundamental reforms and increased financial support.

"Under the Reform and Growth Facility, a performance-based EU instrument supporting the EU accession process, the country adopted its Reform Agenda, which covers reforms in the areas of: governance, public administration reform and public financial management; the green and digital transition; human capital; private-sector development and business environment; and fundamental rights and the rule of law," notes the report.

In the section on democracy, the report says the election legislation provides a suitable framework for holding democratic elections, noting that the Electoral Code was amended in March 2024, while adding there was no progress on addressing the outstanding recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission.

"Parliament was found to exercise its powers in an overall effective way. However, political polarisation in Parliament persisted, delaying the adoption of important reforms and several long-overdue appointments," reads the report.

The document highlights the need for permanent and decisive steps to accelerate the implementation of all EU-related reforms beyond those of the Reform Agenda and to move forward in the EU accession negotiation process.

"The institutions in charge of the EU integration process are in place. North Macedonia needs to continue strengthening its EU negotiating structures and achieve sound coordination across line ministries and institutions, while further developing EU acquis-related expertise across the public administration," reads the report.

It adds that despite some progress, a comprehensive reform of local self-government is still urgently needed, and the dialogue between different levels of government should be strengthened.

"Inter-ethnic relations remained stable, and the Ohrid Framework Agreement continued to be implemented. Civil society organisations (CSOs) in North Macedonia generally operate in an overall enabling environment. The government adopted a decision for appointing members of the Council for Cooperation between Government and Civil Society. This development brought the Council’s long-awaited reactivation, in line with the Commission’s recommendations," reads the report.

The report recalls that the Commission’s 2025 rule of law report covered North Macedonia for the second time, stressing that North Macedonia should adopt a new Law on civil procedure, in line with European standards, strengthen the Judicial Council by adopting a revised legislative framework and continue increasing its transparency and independence, while adding that corruption remains prevalent in many areas and is an issue of serious concern.

"The legal framework on fundamental rights is partially aligned with the EU acquis and European standards. The country continues to meet its general obligations on fundamental rights, but legislation should be implemented in a systematic manner," reads the report and recommends the country to address the dire conditions in prisons, ensure that the Ombudsman’s Office and the Commission for the Prevention and Protection against Discrimination receive sufficient financial and human resources enabling them to function independently and effectively, and provide adequate support to vulnerable categories of children, especially child victims of violence, Roma children and children with disabilities.

Regarding freedom of expression, the EC says the legal framework governing the media is still not fully aligned with EU acquis, particularly the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), although some progress was achieved on the Law on media, and adding that challenges remain concerning transparency of media ownership.

The Commission recommends the country to continue to revise the legal framework governing the media to align it with the EU acquis and European standards, particularly by introducing rules on full transparency in media ownership and allocation of public funds for state advertising, competition and State aid, and intellectual property rights; implement the strategy to reform the Public Broadcaster; and continue to promptly address all threats and acts of violence against journalists and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

"North Macedonia has a good level of preparation in the area of common foreign, security and defence policy. Good progress was made, as the country maintained its track record of full alignment with relevant High Representative statements on behalf of the EU and relevant Council decisions, including EU restrictive measures related to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. North Macedonia continued to participate in EU crisis management missions and operations. In November 2024, the country signed a Security and Defence Partnership with the EU," notes the report.

MIA file photo