Marta Kos urges North Macedonia to adopt constitutional amendments to continue EU integration

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos urged the Government of North Macedonia in Brussels to adopt constitutional amendments she described as the single step needed to keep the country's EU accession process moving forward.

Kos met one-on-one with Vice Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali during Sali's three-day visit to Brussels. After the meeting she made a public appeal to Skopje to complete the constitutional change required to unblock the next phase of integration.

Commissioner: a single constitutional step can remove further political obstacles

In remarks to the media Kos said: "There are not many things that need to be done. There are many, but this is one step—the constitutional changes. Once the constitutional amendments are adopted, we will be able to continue without further political decisions. Therefore, this is my appeal to the Government: Please, do it, fulfil your obligation. I am sure that then we will be able to move forward, in the best interest of your citizens."

Kos also pointed to the broader regional context as a reason for urgency: "I hope that very soon we will sign the accession agreement with Montenegro. And Albania is progressing well. So this is the right moment for North Macedonia to move forward. It is up to the politicians of North Macedonia to meet the expectations," she said.

Bekim Sali said after the meeting that the enlargement process must be predictable and based on merits and measurable results, and he underlined that EU integration should deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses. He highlighted possible short-term measures discussed with the commissioner, including participation in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), gradual extension of a "Roam Like at Home" model and cooperation on digital transformation, while also raising the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and implementation of the Reform Agenda.

Photo: MEP