Ursula von der Leyen arrives in Skopje to meet Mickoski and Siljanovska‑Davkova
The European Commission president will meet President Siljanovska‑Davkova and Prime Minister Mickoski to discuss the accession process and the Bulgaria issue.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will arrive in Skopje on Friday as part of a trip through Western Balkan countries, her office said. During the visit she is scheduled to meet with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski.
The meetings will focus on North Macedonia’s EU perspective and the accession process. Officials expect talks to cover bilateral tensions with Bulgaria and possible ways to resolve the outstanding issues that affect the country’s path toward membership.
Government reaction and expectations
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski said the government wants a solution with Bulgaria that will create predictability for the accession process. He added there is willingness from European institutions and some member states to help intensify dialogue and open space for discussion, while stressing that "our positions are absolutely clear" and that there are currently no conditions for constitutional changes because of how Bulgaria has positioned itself.
Mucunski noted that bilateral contacts with Sofia have not so far produced progress and therefore the EU’s assistance is needed. He said the visit of von der Leyen to Skopje is viewed positively and will include more specific talks about that topic. "There is no doubt that we need a solution, but we set a red line — the solution must guarantee predictability and security," the minister said.
Von der Leyen’s Western Balkans tour will begin on 30 September in Albania and will continue with visits to Kosovo and Montenegro. Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not on the schedule this time because both countries are preparing for elections: Serbia will hold early parliamentary elections on 25 October, and Bosnia and Herzegovina has general elections set for 4 October, European Commission spokesperson Ariana Podesta said.
The visit to Skopje marks another high-level EU engagement in a region where accession questions and bilateral disputes remain central to negotiations.
Photo: press material from the event
