North Macedonia can catch up by working on EU reform agenda: expert
- North Macedonia can catch up by starting its work on the EU reform agenda. The 2030 agenda of the European Union is active and the country's membership perspective is real and tangible, said Vladimir Drobnjak, former chief negotiator of Croatia's EU accession negotiations and UNOPS expert, during a debate on the benefits of the Reform Agenda 2024-2027 in Parliament on Tuesday.

Skopje, 22 April 2025 (MIA) - North Macedonia can catch up by starting its work on the EU reform agenda. The 2030 agenda of the European Union is active and the country's membership perspective is real and tangible, said Vladimir Drobnjak, former chief negotiator of Croatia's EU accession negotiations and UNOPS expert, during a debate on the benefits of the Reform Agenda 2024-2027 in Parliament on Tuesday.
"The international order is changing and the level of uncertainty has significantly increased. Some might say that global institutions and multilateral systems are being dismantled and we don't know what the future will look like. Nevertheless, the EU remains firm on its strategic path and is strong and relevant more than ever in offering strength but protection as well. This is what is most important for North Macedonia. We all have to realize that national interest is best served when European solutions are working and the center of gravity of North Macedonia is not Skopje but Brussels and Washington," said Drobnjak.
According to him, it cannot be stressed enough how important is North Macedonia's NATO and EU membership, while adding that EU enlargement is happening amid complex circumstances impacted by the war in Ukraine and the new U.S. policy of President Trump.
Drobnjak said enlargement can be described by three words - perspective, gap and conditionality.
"Citizens should know that the country's EU membership perspective is real, tangible and attainable, the gap refers to the lack of socio-economic convergence among EU member-states and the Western Balkans, something that could be overcome through the Growth Plan and the reform agenda, whereas the conditionality relates to numerous requirements that the country must meet in order to join the EU," said Drobnjak.
He said North Macedonia is not the only country that faced problems on the European path, pointing to Croatia's experience during the accession negotiations - cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, the maritime border with Italy and the set of border issues with Slovenia.
"Regarding North Macedonia, the Reform Agenda is the most important tool at disposal in the absence of a formal start of accession negotiations," noted Drobnjak.
We are looking forward, he said, to a new enlargement round after almost a decade, 2030 is right around the corner, and a lot of work lies ahead on the Reform Agenda so that North Macedonia can catch up.
"This year is crucial for you and it is very important to work on these reforms because you can benefit from them. Croatia was a better country at the end of this process. The political, academic and business communities must all work together and be involved. Communication is key and all capacities within the society must be engaged," underlined Drobnjak.
Photo: Screenshot