Government panel reviews EC 2026 progress report; judiciary and constitutional changes top the agenda
EU delegates and government officials discussed the 2026 progress report, pointing to judicial interference, the need to fight corruption and the continued obstacle of constitutional changes.
A government-hosted panel discussion reviewed the European Commission’s 2026 progress report for North Macedonia and highlighted the judiciary and rule-of-law reforms as the country’s most urgent challenges on the EU accession path.
Representatives of the Delegation of the European Union in Skopje stressed that interference by other state institutions into the judicial system remains a key concern. Deputy Head of Mission Ben Nupnau said the latest report records such interference and underscored the need for a more effective fight against corruption.
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski welcomed the report’s positive assessment of the country’s foreign policy but warned that constitutional amendments continue to be a major obstacle in the accession process. He called for a national consensus on the issue and for clear, defined positions from Sofia, including on matters related to minority questions. Mucunski added that attention must remain on progress across all areas covered by the European agenda, especially those the report identified as weak.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he expects an improved evaluation next year and, regarding constitutional changes, stated that the government is working “on repairing the harmful policies of the previous government.”
Bilateral support and sectoral progress
Speakers at the panel also pointed to renewed bilateral cooperation: Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis presented Switzerland’s 2025–2028 cooperation programme with North Macedonia as a concrete instrument to deepen collaboration and support reform processes across several fields.
The EC report also contains positive findings in education, science and digitalisation, noting a number of projects and activities advancing reform in those sectors. Panel participants said sustained implementation of those initiatives and stronger rule-of-law measures will be vital for progress on the accession track.
Photo: press material from the event
