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REPORT (2025/2021(INI))

On the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on North Macedonia

A-10-2025-0118

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Thomas Waitz

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This resolution on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on North Macedonia supports the country's EU accession, urges swift advancement of negotiations, and calls for constitutional amendments. It urges reforms in rule of law, judiciary, media, fundamental rights, and socio-economic areas, and expresses concern about foreign interference and the country's recent UN abstention on Ukraine.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a resolution supporting North Macedonia's EU accession, urging constitutional amendments and reforms, while expressing concern about recent foreign policy shifts.

Key points

  1. Reiterates full support for North Macedonia's EU membership and calls for swift advancement of accession negotiations, urging the European Council to signal a positive decision once conditions are met.
  2. Encourages adoption of constitutional amendments to complete the opening phase of negotiations, as required by the Council conclusions of July 2022.
  3. Calls for strengthening rule of law, judicial independence, anti-corruption efforts, and public administration reform, including reviewing Criminal Code amendments that weakened the legal framework.
  4. Urges media reforms to ensure independence, transparency, and anti-concentration measures, and to counter disinformation and foreign influence, including from Russia and China.
  5. Calls for protection of journalists and civil society, including legal frameworks against SLAPPs and enhanced cooperation with civil society.
  6. Urges implementation of gender equality measures, including the Istanbul Convention and a new Law on Gender Equality, and improvement of detention conditions for women and girls.
  7. Calls for full implementation of minority rights, including the Ohrid Framework Agreement, and for recognizing national minorities in the constitution.
  8. Urges measures to combat hate speech and hate crimes, including legal gender recognition based on self-determination and protection against discrimination.
  9. Calls for strengthening migration management, fighting human trafficking, and aligning with EU acquis.
  10. Urges socio-economic reforms, including improving business climate, digital transformation, and addressing youth unemployment, which remains high at 29.3%.
  11. Calls for environmental protection, including aligning with EU acquis, protecting biodiversity, and addressing air and water quality issues.
  12. Expresses concern about the 'Serbian world' project and North Macedonia's abstention on the UN resolution on Ukraine, while welcoming its alignment with EU foreign policy in most cases.

Who is affected

  • North Macedonia's government and parliament, which must adopt constitutional amendments and implement reforms.
  • Political parties in North Macedonia, called to engage in constructive dialogue for consensus.
  • Journalists and media professionals, who need protection from threats and attacks.
  • Minority communities, including Bulgarians, Roma, and LGBTIQ+ persons, whose rights need protection.
  • EU institutions and member states, urged to safeguard the accession process and provide support.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 210 million in macro-financial assistance loans since 2020.
  • EUR 750 million in grants and loans under the Reform and Growth Facility.
  • More than 50 young people died and more than 150 were injured in the Kočani nightclub fire.
  • Nearly 50% of citizens have adopted false narratives about international events.
  • Youth unemployment rate remains high at 29.3%.