European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told North Macedonia on Friday that the country “belongs at the European table”, while Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski called for a clear and predictable path to EU membership without new conditions.
Speaking after talks in Skopje, von der Leyen said North Macedonia had made progress in its accession process, with negotiations formally launched in 2022 and the screening process completed in less than a year.
“One key step” remains to move forward and open the fundamentals cluster, she said, adding that the European Union welcomed North Macedonia “with its identity and its language”.
Mickoski said his government remained committed to EU membership but wanted the accession process to be based on clear rules and obligations applying to all sides.
A central issue was the dispute with neighbouring Bulgaria, which has been linked to the stalled accession process. Mickoski called for greater EU involvement in talks between Skopje and Sofia, saying the aim should be a sustainable European solution rather than new bilateral conditions.
“Our position is clear, our arguments are clear. We are ready to talk, to debate and, at the end of the day, to find a solution,” Mickoski said.
As a next step, Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski is expected to seek a bilateral meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart in Sofia next week, during discussions on Corridor VIII. Mickoski said a diplomatic note would be sent to request the meeting.
Von der Leyen confirmed that the two sides would seek to take a first step next week to unblock and restart the accession process.
She also pointed to closer economic integration, noting that North Macedonia has received around €140 million under the EU Growth Plan and has joined the Single Euro Payments Area, cutting transaction fees by more than 90%.
Von der Leyen said enlargement was a two-way process and that the EU also needed to prepare for future members. The European Commission is due to present pre-enlargement policy reviews examining changes needed in EU institutions, policies and the budget.
“Europe will be by your side,” von der Leyen said.
© 2026 Argumentum
