Brussels, 18 March 2025 (MIA) — After extending condolences to the bereaved families by the Kochani fire, the rapporteur of the European Parliament for North Macedonia, Austrian MEP Thomas Waitz, presented Tuesday the EP's draft report on the country.

According to Waitz, the report focuses on the activities and decisions the authorities of North Macedonia need to make regarding the constitutional amendments required by the European Union for the country to continue its accession process.

The amendments foresee including several minority communities into the Constitution of North Macedonia, Waitz said, pointing out that these were constitutional amendments related to EU legislation. He added that these would not be the last constitutional amendments that need to be made on the country's European path, MIA's Brussels correspondent reports.

Waitz noted that membership negotiations could begin immediately after the constitutional amendments were adopted. "I hope the Government and Parliament of North Macedonia will respond well to this and we will be able to see the constitutional amendments happen as soon as possible so negotiations can begin," the MEP said.

He said the vast majority in the EP and the country's authorities as well as the people of North Macedonia wanted to join the EU.

According to him, the broad support for European integration has given the current government the opportunity to deliver on this goal in line with EU legislation and implement clear reforms even ahead of the negotiations. 

He noted that much had already been done regarding the rule of law and the fight against corruption.

He said that the media were free to carry out their responsibilities, although there was some foreign interference, much like in many other countries in the region. 

"We also need a little more transparency when it comes to media ownership, but overall the country is on the right track," Waitz added.

Regarding the country's vote at the UN two weeks ago, Waitz said he hoped the government would reconsider its position. In light of the general geostrategic situation in which "we Europeans find ourselves," he said it was time European nations stood together. "Only together will we be strong," the EP's rapporteur said.

In his explanatory statement accompanying the draft report, Waitz noted that "years of setbacks and unfulfilled promises have understandably led to frustration, disappointment and a continuous decline in public support for EU integration in North Macedonia." 

"However, amid these times of major shifts in the international world order as Europe knows it, there is a renewed sense of urgency and an important opportunity to advance the accession process," he said. 

"All political stakeholders, particularly Members of Parliament from the ruling coalition and the government, must seize this moment and engage in constructive dialogue to achieve consensus on the aforementioned constitutional amendments. 

"The EU and its member states must fully support this endeavor, including providing assurances that the constitutional changes will not lead to further bilateral demands," Waitz said. 

He also highlighted that aim of the report was to provide a balanced assessment of North Macedonia’s complex political context while urging political stakeholders to advance reforms, honor past agreements, and EU institutions and member states to prevent future bilateral blockades and provide the country with the necessary assurances and support.

"With the successful implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement (2001) the country became a role model in the region for the peaceful resolution of ethnic disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding. 

"Only four years after the signature of this agreement, North Macedonia obtained candidate status in 2005, and has long been a frontrunner in the region. 

"The country has undertaken impressive and difficult reforms — including a historic name change — yet its accession process has been obstructed for far too long due to bilateral disputes," Waitz said.

The Austrian Green MEP also noted that in 2022, "to overcome Bulgaria’s veto on accession talks, the EU included Bulgaria’s demands in the Council conclusions related to North Macedonia’s accession, with the EU acting as guarantor of their implementation." 

"The so-called French proposal, however, set a concerning precedent by allowing the accession process to be used for resolving cultural and historical disputes," he noted. 

He added that this agreement ultimately led to the lifting of the veto, the first Intergovernmental Conference on July 19, 2022, and the start of screening but it also required North Macedonia amend its Constitution to include the Bulgarian minority. 

Waitz recalled that screening sessions for all six clusters had been completed by Dec. 7, 2023 so "the country will be able to move to the next phase of negotiations once the constitutional amendments are adopted," he pointed out.

He also noted that the country North Macedonia "has drafted an excellent and ambitious reform agenda – arguably one of the best in the region." 

"Its rigorous implementation would put the country back on track, especially in key areas such as fighting corruption, ensuring judicial independence, reforming public administration, and improving the situation of media freedom," he said.

However, according to Waitz, "some recent developments, including the country’s decision to abstain from the latest European resolution on Ukraine in the UN General Assembly while co-sponsoring the U.S. resolution in February 2025, have raised concerns among North Macedonia’s EU supporters about its long-term trajectory."

"I sincerely hope that all parties — North Macedonia’s authorities, EU institutions, and neighboring countries — recognize the urgency of the moment and act decisively to move forward," Waitz said.

He added that he was committed to building a stable, constructive, pro-European, pro-democratic and pro-enlargement alliance in support of North Macedonia’s EU accession. 

"I hope to secure the support of every member who shares this goal," he said in his explanatory statement following the draft report on the country.

MEPs may submit their amendments to the draft report through March 27, so there could be some changes to its final version, which will be voted on on May 13.

At the beginning of the discussion, Committee on Foreign Affairs chair David McAllister also extended his condolences for the lives lost in the Kochani tragedy. mr/