What's happened
As of May 16, 2025, North Macedonia's EU membership talks remain stalled due to unresolved disputes with Bulgaria. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski insists constitutional amendments will only proceed if Bulgaria approves North Macedonia's EU bid, complicating the enlargement process initiated in 2022 amid geopolitical tensions from the Ukraine war.
What's behind the headline?
Current Stalemate
- North Macedonia's EU aspirations are caught in a complex web of bilateral disputes, particularly with Bulgaria, which complicates the enlargement process.
- Prime Minister Mickoski's insistence on a reciprocal agreement highlights the challenges of negotiating EU membership amid nationalistic sentiments.
Geopolitical Implications
- The ongoing war in Ukraine has intensified the EU's focus on Balkan stability, making the resolution of these disputes more urgent.
- The EU's enlargement strategy is seen as a crucial investment in regional stability, yet the lack of progress raises questions about the bloc's effectiveness in managing these tensions.
Future Outlook
- Without a breakthrough, North Macedonia risks falling further behind its neighbors, potentially destabilizing the region. The EU must navigate these complex dynamics to foster cooperation and progress in the Balkans.
What the papers say
According to The Independent, Prime Minister Costa emphasized the need for North Macedonia to fulfill its commitments, stating, "Now is the time to conclude the whole thing and open a new page." In contrast, Mickoski argues that constitutional changes should only occur after Bulgaria's approval, indicating a stalemate in negotiations. AP News echoes this sentiment, noting that the EU's willingness to accept new members has increased since the Ukraine war, yet the path forward remains fraught with bilateral issues. This divergence in perspectives highlights the complexities of EU enlargement in the Balkans.
How we got here
The EU began membership discussions with Albania and North Macedonia in 2022, prompted by the Ukraine conflict. North Macedonia's progress has been hindered by a historical dispute with Bulgaria regarding ethnic identity and language, leading to a political stalemate.
Go deeper
- What are the main issues between North Macedonia and Bulgaria?
- How does the Ukraine war affect EU enlargement?
- What steps can North Macedonia take to move forward?
More on these topics
-
Montenegro is a country of South and Southeast Europe on the coast of the Balkans. It borders Bosnia-Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast, Albania to the southeast, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest, and Croatia to the west.
-
North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a country in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. It gained its independence in 1991 as one of the successor states of Yugoslavia.
-
Hristijan Mickoski is a Macedonian politician, university professor and president of VMRO-DPMNE. In 2016, he became the director of JSC "Power Plants of Macedonia", and in the period 2015—2017 he was energy advisor to the prime ministers Nikola Gruevski
-
Bulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.