Marta Kos: Constitutional amendments are key — opening first cluster depends on North Macedonia
Kos says conditions are clear and the Commission will back North Macedonia; the Council conclusions of 18 July 2022 link progress to constitutional changes.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said in Brussels that North Macedonia has demonstrated commitment to its reform agenda, but must now show equal determination to move forward on accession.
“The conditions are clear, North Macedonia must fulfil the obligation to implement the constitutional amendments, as stated in the Council conclusions of 18 July 2022. The Commission will continue to support North Macedonia on its European path and our objective remains opening the first cluster as soon as the conditions are met. It depends on North Macedonia,” Kos said from Brussels today.
The statement reiterates the milestone set out in the Council’s conclusions of 18 July 2022, which tie progress in accession talks to the adoption of specific constitutional changes.
Where progress now depends on Skopje
Kos emphasised that the European Commission remains ready to assist North Macedonia’s reforms, but opening the first negotiating cluster — a key step in the accession process — will only follow once Brussels’ conditions are satisfied.
The commissioner’s remarks place the focus squarely on domestic political decisions in Skopje: while institutional backing from the Commission is available, the timetable for starting formal negotiation work depends on whether the country implements the required constitutional amendments.
With Brussels signalling continued support, North Macedonia faces a choice between advancing constitutional change to unlock the next phase of EU talks or waiting while the accession process remains on hold.
Photo: press material from the event
