Skopje, 5 May 2026 (MIA) - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali said Tuesday that work on the Reform Agenda is moving forward at an accelerated pace, adding that efforts are being made to secure funds from the Growth Plan that will remain unused by Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
Attending a session of the Economic Chamber’s Management Board on Tuesday, Sali said the European Commission’s assessment is that the country is implementing the agenda at a rapidly accelerating tempo compared to the other countries in the region.

“The rule is simple – whoever delivers reforms receives more funds, whoever loses standing, loses the funds too, but they will still have to implement the reforms to become a full-fledged EU member one day. The European Commission has clearly said that funds can be reallocated to countries who are ahead of the others. Our country is moving forward at an accelerated pace, and we have received a recognition from the European Commission’s Delegation in Skopje and the EC that our tempo is rapidly accelerating compared to other countries in the region. We consider ourselves to be the second-ranked country, we are competing with Montenegro in terms of pace even though we know Montenegro have been moving very quickly for three years now in adopting steps from the European agenda. We had elections, followed by local elections, and a standstill in the Reform Agenda which is why we are now second, but we are striving to have the funds that will remain unused by Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina redirected to us,” Sali said. 

So far, the country has used around 15 percent or roughly EUR 112 million. According to Sali, greater use of the funds doesn’t only require political will or commitment, but also a strengthening of the capacities of local self-government units.

“Out of 750 million, around 112 million have been used, which is proof enough that we are very slow in attracting direct aid that is available to us, and we need to work with the institutions, especially with the self-government units. The municipalities should increase their capacities to attract these funds, so they can create infrastructure that could also help the business community,” the Deputy PM said.

Photo: MIA