Skopje, 13 October 2025 (MIA) - Prime Minister and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski was quizzed Monday by reporters regarding the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES), saying the least the EU could do if it wants to see the region in the Union by 2030 "is not discriminating us".

"There was a regional initiative by the countries of the Western Balkans that should be reviewed as soon as possible, aimed to facilitate the access of transporters through the green lane that the European Commission has announced. I believe there will be no problems in this regard. What I will raise as an issue at the coming meeting with the EC President Ursula von der Leyen and before the Berlin Process is exactly this: whenever you land at an airport in a Union member-state, there is a sign reading 'EU citizens' and 'non-EU citizens'. If we really want to see the region as part of Europe by 2030, I believe the least the Union can do is not discriminate us, we can all be the citizens of Europe," said Mickoski.

We should not be discriminated because of not being part of the EU, he added, but go through the fast lane since we all have biometric passports.

"As they say, 'If there is a will there is a way'. So, let this be the first delivery that the EU would make to the Western Balkans," said Mickoski after a meeting with the leadership of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia.

Chamber acting president Nuhi Aliu said transporters have not reported any problems after the EES entered into force on October 12.

EES is an automated IT system for non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. The system will register the person's name, travel document data, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit, in full respect of fundamental rights and data protection.

It will also record refusals of entry. From 12 October 2025 onwards, 29 European countries are introducing the EES gradually or in full at their external borders over a period of six months. Border authorities will gradually register the data of non-EU nationals subject to the EES. 

As of 10 April 2026, EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which does not allow an automatic detection of over-stayers (travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).

Photo: MIA