Members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee have called on North Macedonia to renew its political commitment to EU-related reforms, warning that progress remains insufficient in key areas such as the rule of law, judicial reform and the fight against corruption. In a draft report adopted on Wednesday, the committee reaffirmed its support for North Macedonia’s EU membership ambitions but stressed that accession talks will continue to depend on the implementation of lasting reforms.
MEPs expressed regret over the limited progress made since the previous report and urged political parties to cooperate in adopting constitutional amendments required to open the first cluster of EU accession negotiations. The report also highlighted persistent political polarization, which it said continues to delay important reforms and appointments, while noting that comprehensive electoral reform remains overdue.
MEPs voiced concern over the lack of progress in strengthening judicial independence and tackling corruption, pointing to a gap between investigations and final convictions in high-profile corruption cases. They also warned about foreign interference and disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining trust in democratic institutions and the country’s European future. At the same time, the committee commended North Macedonia for maintaining strong alignment with the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy.
The report, drafted by rapporteur Thomas Waitz of Austria’s Greens party, was adopted by 43 votes to 17, with 13 abstentions, and will now be put to a vote in the European Parliament’s plenary session.
Waitz is quoted as saying that he is glad the Foreign Affairs Committee has adopted the North Macedonia country report “at this crucial time for EU enlargement”. “The country has recently taken important reform steps and it is essential that the government continues these efforts and remains firmly on the path towards EU integration. North Macedonia’s future lies within the European Union,” Waitz added as quoted by the European Parliament press office.
The Foreign Affairs Committee also adopted draft reports on the progress to EU accession for Ukraine, Moldova, Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia and Hercegovina. These are all pending plenary approval.
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