Skopje, 3 July 2026 (MIA) – EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas said Friday that he sees acceleration of reforms in the country across all 51 reform steps, noting that during the grace period they are working together with the government and that 9.5 out of 10 of these will be fulfilled. In regard to the Electoral Code, Rokas said he considers the law to be fundamentally sound and expressed hope that the political parties will reach a consensus.

“We are focused on the 10 steps that were part of the grace period, which expired on June 30. I must say that we have worked very carefully on these 10 steps, in close cooperation with the government, in order to fulfill them. I am convinced that most of the work has been completed and that we will have excellent results. As you know, they will be submitted within the next 10 days to the European Commission for a final assessment, and the final decision will be made sometime in September. This is truly a good success. At the same time, we also had the regular exercise that ended on June 30 this year, and this is where the one-year grace period begins. We have made good progress, but what is important is that there has been progress across all 51 steps. I am truly confident that I am seeing an acceleration in reforms; however, in any case, we should wait for the final results and the European Commission’s assessment after the summer recess,” Rokas said during today’s presentation of new military equipment at the Ilinden army barracks.

Asked whether all 10 reform steps would be fulfilled, Rokas said that this would be subject to the European Commission's assessment, adding that they are working with the government "to achieve nine, or nine and a half." "In any case, I am convinced that we will have good results, but you have to understand that the assessment is ultimately carried out by the European Commission," Rokas said.

On the Electoral Code, he said discussions with the political parties are currently underway, but stressed that consensus needs to be reached.

“The law itself is a good one. ODIHR and the European Commission have issued positive assessment, but what remains to be resolved are the modalities. I understand that there are disagreements over these modalities, but I feel there is goodwill to overcome them. The parliamentary committee on the Electoral Code is already working and I hope the parties will be able to sit down and reach a consensus on this important and sensitive issue. The foundations of the law, and the law itself, are indeed very good,” EU Ambassador said.

Photo: Government