Bekim Sali: Gradual integration must deliver benefits before EU membership

North Macedonia should start seeing tangible benefits from closer ties with the European Union even before full accession, Minister of European Affairs Bekim Sali said after talks with German Bundestag member Peter Beyer.

The two discussed the bloc’s evolving enlargement approach and practical steps that can deepen cooperation between Skopje and Berlin while domestic reforms continue. According to the Ministry of European Affairs, the pair focused on the new Commission model of gradual integration into the single market as a mechanism to deliver immediate gains to citizens and businesses.

Sali underlined the need for a faster, more predictable and merit-based enlargement process and urged that integration should bring short-term results. He said: "Gradual integration is an opportunity to turn the European perspective into concrete results while we continue with the reforms necessary for full membership."

As a concrete example, the ministry highlighted North Macedonia’s inclusion in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), a step that reduced cross‑border transaction costs and produced estimated savings of over five million euros. The talks also covered progress in roaming negotiations with the EU, improved regional connectivity and measures to facilitate the flow of goods.

Participants paid particular attention to problems faced by North Macedonian carriers under Schengen stay rules and discussed practical solutions to preserve supply chains and commercial ties with EU markets. The meeting also addressed implementation of the Reform Agenda within the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, with emphasis on rule of law, public administration reform, digital transformation and economic competitiveness.

Commitment to reforms and EU conditionality

Sali reiterated Skopje’s commitment to reforms and to a fair, credible and objectively based accession process, stressing the importance of dialogue with Germany and Berlin’s role in regional cooperation and the EU enlargement debate.

At the same time, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos presented the Commission’s annual enlargement package to the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and identified three novelties for this year: the Commission will publish indicative roadmaps for four candidate countries that have made most progress over the past year; it is introducing a new model of gradual integration; and it will place a renewed focus on the integrated nature of European security. Kos said: "The conditions for North Macedonia are clear; it must make the constitutional amendments to move forward toward the EU — everything depends on the country."

Photo: press material from the event