Brussels names conditions for North Macedonia's accession to the EU

The European Commission is looking forward to starting negotiations with North Macedonia on the core set of issues as soon as possible when the conditions set by the EU Council are met, a European Commission spokesman told Izvestia. Among the conditions is the amendment of the basic law.

The path of disengagement: EU enlargement slowed by lack of consensus

The Western Balkan countries have the best chances

"North Macedonia needs to continue implementing EU-related reforms, in particular in the framework of the foundations bloc, namely those related to the functioning of the judiciary and the ability to effectively fight organized crime and corruption, including in high-level corruption cases. In addition, we look forward to North Macedonia's adoption of constitutional amendments that include a reference to citizens who are part of other nations, such as Bulgarians," in the EC added.

At the same time, leaders of Skopje's ruling VMRO-DPMNE party have repeatedly said they would never support the inclusion of Bulgarians in the constitution. In February 2025, the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski once again said that he did not see the need to include "about 800 Bulgarians" in the constitution.