Foreign Policy & Diplomacy: Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Petr Macinka is set to visit Ohrid and Skopje on 19–20 August, meeting top officials and opening a seminar on digitalization and cybersecurity, plus an event for heads of North Macedonia’s diplomatic missions. Ambassadorial Appointments: Skopje has named career diplomat Krum Efremov as its new ambassador to Bulgaria, with Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski stressing ongoing dialogue with Sofia on European-integration-related issues. EU Sanctions Alignment: North Macedonia is among eight non-EU countries aligning with the EU’s expanded restrictive measures against Belarus over support for Russia’s war, covering goods, technology, and crypto-asset-related restrictions. Regional Security & Crime: Greek police dismantled a cannabis smuggling network using recycling-paper shipments from Albania to Turkey, with links involving North Macedonia and Kosovo and arrests in Thessaloniki. Sports Diplomacy: The 20th Mediterranean Games open Friday in Taranto, with Türkiye set to face North Macedonia in women’s volleyball ahead of the opening ceremony. EU Funding Watch: Under the EU Growth Plan, Albania leads funding so far, while North Macedonia has received €141m by May 2026, with payments tied to reform delivery.