Skopje, 17 October 2025 (MIA) - The EU, through an implementing decision by the European Commission, has approved the second release of funds to North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. Under this decision, a total net sum of €16 million is approved as combined support, comprising both non-repayable funds and a loan.

As informed by the Ministry of European Affairs, €7.4 million from this amount will be paid directly to the state budget, while the remaining funds are earmarked for financing infrastructure projects through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). The overall amount is calculated after subtracting funds used to reconcile pre-financing, i.e., advance payments made under the instrument.

“The decision, acknowledging the Government’s reforms toward EU standards, comes after the European Commission positively assessed the request submitted by Minister of European Affairs Orhan Murtezani, national Reform and Growth Instrument coordinator. The Commission confirmed that North Macedonia meets the requirements for releasing funds, including democratic governance, rule of law, macroeconomic stability, and public finance management,” the Ministry of European Affairs said.

According to the press release, the European Commission’s assessment encompasses the steps outlined in the 2024–2027 Reform Agenda, scheduled for implementation by June 2025.

“Based on evaluations by the relevant institutions, North Macedonia reported nine of the total 16 steps as fulfilled. In its technical assessment, the European Commission concluded that four steps have been satisfactorily completed: three in the field of digitalization and one in the business environment regarding inspection controls. The activities carried out pertain to the adoption of the Law on Security of Network and Information Systems, compliant with the EU NIS2 Directive; the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification, and Trust Services, which introduces the European Digital Identity; and the Law on Archival Material, which establishes a framework for electronic archiving in public administration. Furthermore, the Commission recognized considerable progress in tackling the informal economy through increased inspections by labor and market authorities,” the Ministry of European Affairs said in a press release.

For the steps that have not been fully implemented, the European Commission has established an extended deadline (grace period) for their implementation until June 2026.

Photo: MIA archive