EU Accession Pressure: The European Parliament adopted its 2025 progress report on North Macedonia, backing EU membership but warning Skopje must deliver rule-of-law, judicial reform and anti-corruption results, including constitutional changes needed to open the first negotiating cluster. Language Rights in Exams: MEPs also backed an amendment urging North Macedonia to ensure Albanian-language access in state exams, including the bar exam, and to treat related student protests as rights-based rather than politically destabilizing. Bulgaria Tensions After Arson: A wave of EU and Bulgarian reactions followed the Monday arson of Bulgarian Embassy vehicles in Skopje; Bulgaria summoned Skopje’s charge d’affaires, while Bulgarian officials and MEPs demanded a firm European Parliament response and linked the incident to wider hate-speech concerns. Identity and EU Guarantees: At a VMRO-DPMNE anniversary event, PM Hristijan Mickoski called for EU guarantees on Macedonian identity, language and culture and rejected new bilateral conditions. Reform Backsliding Warning: Separate EU reporting warned North Macedonia is falling behind on reforms, citing political pressure on courts and weaker corruption enforcement. Regional Democratic Resilience: Electoral authorities from Moldova, Ukraine, Albania and North Macedonia signed a memorandum to strengthen democratic resilience, election integrity and counter disinformation. Energy Modernisation: ESM signed a World Bank grant to prepare the REK Bitola 1 cogeneration project, aimed at expanding district heating and improving efficiency. Court Ruling in Tetovo: A court reversed a 2007 decision and restored Yugoslav-era street names in Tetovo, reigniting disputes over minority representation.