EU Enlargement Watch: EU member states agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, with talks expected to start Monday and focus first on rule of law, institutions, and judicial reform—another sign the enlargement agenda is moving, even if the process remains long. North Macedonia–Turkey Diplomacy & Trade: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski met Erdoğan in closed-door Istanbul talks and later invited Turkish investors at a business forum, pitching Skopje as a gateway to European markets; officials also discussed boosting bilateral trade toward a $2 billion target. EU Path Tensions: DUI deputy leader Bujar Osmani said Albanians are frustrated by stalled EU progress, arguing Skopje’s negotiating framework hinges on only two Bulgaria-related conditions—constitutional amendments and the minorities action plan. Regional Security Cooperation: North Macedonia joined a wider regional cyber exercise in Croatia, while the country also prepared for summer wildfires by recruiting former police, army, and firefighting personnel to strengthen on-the-ground response. Governance & Media Pressure: A regional study warned that media across the Western Balkans faces political pressure, disinformation, and weak safeguards for independent journalism, with North Macedonia and Serbia highlighted among the hardest-hit environments. Wildfire Response: The Protection and Rescue Directorate launched a call for experienced former security and emergency staff to support firefighting operations during the summer season.