Enlargement Commissioner urged Skopje to make constitutional changes to remove Bulgaria’s EU membership blockade – and highlighted the progress made by current Balkan frontrunner Montenegro.
Sinisa Jakov Marusic
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje. Photo: Government of North Macedonia.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called on North Macedonia on Wednesday to change its constitution to speed up EU membership, which would bring greater financial support, equal opportunities for citizens and businesses and stronger backing for infrastructure and rural development.
Speaking alongside Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje, she pointed to Montenegro, describing it as the frontrunner among Western Balkan candidates and saying it stands to receive far more EU financial assistance as it advances toward membership in a high-speed lane.
“We want the same for North Macedonia, but the adoption of the agreed constitutional amendments remains the necessary next step for formally launching [the next phase],” Kos said.
North Macedonia’s accession talks have repeatedly stalled despite the country becoming an EU candidate back in 2005. After resolving a long-running dispute over its name with Greece, Skopje expected to move swiftly toward membership negotiations.
Instead, Bulgaria then blocked the process, arguing that North Macedonia had failed to address issues related to history, language and the rights of people who identify as Bulgarian.
An attempt to overcome the deadlock came in 2022 through the so-called ‘French proposal’, under which North Macedonia agreed to amend its constitution to include Bulgarians among its constitutionally recognised peoples.
However, the current centre-right government led by Mickoski has stressed it won’t act unless it receives guarantees that Bulgaria won’t block the country again, further down the line.
“EU enlargement is not built on guarantees given in advance. It is built on trust, commitments, dedication, fulfilling those commitments, and hard work,” Kos countered, when asked about the guarantees Skopje wants.
When asked the same question, Mickoski did not answer directly regarding the constitution. He instead reiterated that EU membership remains the government’s goal and that there is “no Plan B” other than delivering reforms and continuing the European integration process.
Kos encouraged North Macedonia to seize the current momentum in the enlargement process and “catch the train” alongside Montenegro, which is seen as the most advanced Western Balkan candidate on the path to EU membership.
