AGP Executive Report

Prespa Cooperation: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia signed a declaration to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region, linking conservation and cultural heritage with closer cross-border ties. Greece also helped fund the restoration of rare 12th-century frescoes at Kurbinovo’s St George church. EU Accession: Bulgaria says it will not renegotiate North Macedonia’s 2022 commitments and expects constitutional amendments recognizing Bulgarians as a community. After talks in Sofia, North Macedonia’s foreign minister said the meeting was constructive but left the sides far apart. Regional Connectivity: Corridor VIII talks in Sofia cast the route as a strategic economic and security link; Serbia says work on its gas connection with North Macedonia will start next week, with construction on the Macedonian side planned for early 2027. Security: North Macedonia’s authorities arrested five suspects in a Skopje operation targeting an Islamic State-linked group, seizing weapons and equipment. Rule of Law: The foreign minister said the executive should not interfere in Iva Mihaylova’s court case; Mihaylova and her mother dispute his claim that she can access adequate treatment at home.

Prespa Cooperation: North Macedonia, Greece and Albania signed a declaration seeking UNESCO World Heritage status for the Prespa region, highlighting its shared natural and cultural heritage. The initiative followed restoration of the 1191 frescoes at Kurbinovo’s Byzantine Church of St George, supported by Greek experts and funding. EU Accession: Bulgaria says it will not renegotiate North Macedonia’s 2022 EU commitments and insists constitutional amendments recognizing Bulgarians are required. Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski said recent talks were constructive but resolved no substantive issues; dialogue will continue. Regional Connectivity: A ministerial conference in Sofia cast Corridor VIII as a strategic link for trade, security and European integration. Serbia says work on its section of a gas interconnector with North Macedonia will begin next week; Skopje plans to start its share in early 2027. Rule of Law: Mucunski said the executive must not interfere in the court case involving Iva Mihaylova, whose family says court restrictions are preventing her from obtaining urgent treatment abroad. Security: North Macedonian authorities arrested five suspects in a Skopje operation against an Islamic State-linked group, seizing weapons, equipment and cash.

EU Accession: Bulgaria’s foreign minister says Sofia will not discuss renegotiating North Macedonia’s EU commitments and rejects deferred constitutional changes. She says Skopje must include Bulgarians in the Constitution under the 2022 agreement. North Macedonia’s foreign minister says talks with Sofia were constructive but made no substantive progress; dialogue will continue. Corridor VIII: Ministers from North Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania framed the route as an economic, security and European priority at a Sofia conference. Serbia says work on the first five kilometres of its gas link with North Macedonia starts next week; North Macedonia’s section is due to begin in early 2027. Rule of Law: A stalled Judicial Academy intake means North Macedonia will train no new judges or prosecutors for at least two years, as vacancies and budget shortfalls leave courts vulnerable to political pressure. Security: Authorities arrested five suspects in Skopje in a September operation against an Islamic State-linked group, seizing firearms, ammunition and other equipment. Bulgaria Vote: Seven polling stations will open in North Macedonia for Bulgaria’s October 25 presidential election; 265 people have registered.

EU Accession: North Macedonia’s talks with Bulgaria in Sofia produced no breakthrough. Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski called the meeting constructive but said the countries remain far apart; Sofia insists Skopje must carry out the 2022 commitments, including constitutional amendments. Corridor VIII: Regional ministers and EU officials cast the route linking the Adriatic and Black seas as a strategic economic and security project. Its unfinished rail link between North Macedonia and Bulgaria remains a key gap. Iva Mihaylova Case: Mucunski said the executive must not interfere in court decisions, while Bulgaria pressed for medical access for the woman facing trial after a fatal crash. North Macedonia has agreed to let Bulgarian specialists examine her, though Mihaylova and her mother dispute the minister’s account of available care. Rule of Law: A canceled Judicial Academy intake means no new judges or prosecutors are expected for at least two years; about one in three judicial posts is vacant, raising concerns about state capture. Energy Links: Serbia says it will begin laying pipes for its gas interconnector with North Macedonia next week, with completion targeted for 2028.

Judicial Independence: North Macedonia’s courts face a staffing crunch: one in three judicial posts is vacant, and cancelled academy admissions mean no new judges or prosecutors are expected before 2028. The shortfall in funding and public trust could leave the system vulnerable to political influence. EU Accession: At a Sofia meeting, North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Timčo Mucunski is expected to discuss EU integration with Bulgaria’s Velislava Petrova, who says she will also raise the case of Iva Mihaylova. The talks follow renewed EU pressure to get the accession process moving. Regional Links: A Sofia conference is urging faster work on Corridor 8, the road and rail route connecting the Adriatic and Black Seas through North Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria. Serbia also says it will start laying pipes next week for its gas link with North Macedonia, a project planned for completion in early 2028.

Energy Links: Serbia says it will begin laying the first pipes next week for a gas interconnector with North Macedonia, targeting completion in early 2028. The project is part of a wider regional push to link Balkan supplies with Greece and the Vertical Gas Corridor. Public Health: North Macedonia has paused use of a Bulgarian-made BCG vaccine as a precaution while concerns are checked. Health Minister Sasho Klekovski says the batches under scrutiny are expired and not being administered; UNICEF has agreed to supply Japanese vaccines for a year. EU Accession: Brussels is weighing safeguards for future members, including funding cuts and suspension of voting rights. North Macedonia’s accession path remains stalled over constitutional changes, while President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova says integration should not be treated solely as a bilateral issue. Fuel Security: North Macedonia’s reserves cover 45 days of net imports, below the 90-day requirement, according to Energy Community data.

Public Health: North Macedonia will secure Japanese BCG vaccines for a year while checks continue on Bulgarian-made doses. Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said the suspended batches were expired and had not been used in the country; the pause was precautionary. Energy Links: Regional ministers agreed to advance gas and oil connections. Serbia says pipe-laying on its link with North Macedonia starts next week, connecting with infrastructure toward Greece. Fuel Security: North Macedonia’s reserves cover 45 days of net imports, below the 90-day requirement; no monitored market in the region meets the target. EU Accession: Brussels’ new enlargement review proposes safeguards for future members, including funding cuts and suspension of voting rights, while preparing EU institutions and budgets for expansion. North Macedonia’s path remains tied to reforms and the unresolved constitutional dispute with Bulgaria.

EU Enlargement Watch: The European Commission adopted a pre-enlargement package, outlining how the EU should adapt governance, policies and budgets for future expansion, with added “safeguards” for accession commitments and possible gradual integration for candidates. EU Defence Integration: Brussels also floated bringing candidate countries into EU defence programmes and structures before full membership, including using instruments like SAFE and the European Defence Industry Programme. Regional Energy Diplomacy: In Belgrade, Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria agreed to deepen energy links, including the Vertical Gas Corridor and a Thessaloniki–Skopje–Niš oil-products route; Serbia said first pipes for the Serbia–North Macedonia gas interconnector will be laid next week, targeting completion in Q1 2028. North Macedonia Courts & Presidential Role: President Gordana Siljanovska said she won’t interfere in the court case involving Iva Mihaylova, stressing judicial independence after a letter from Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova. Sports (Nations League): Scotland’s Sebastien Pocognoli era hit a snag as Slovenia beat Scotland 2-1 at Hampden, while Switzerland beat North Macedonia 3-0 in the same Nations League window.

EU Defence Prep: The European Commission proposes bringing candidate countries, including North Macedonia, gradually into EU defence programmes before full membership, using tools like SAFE loans and the European Defence Industry Programme. EU Enlargement & Identity: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova says EU integration can’t be treated as only a bilateral Bulgaria–North Macedonia issue, and questions the role of protocols and Bulgaria’s unilateral language declaration. Energy Diplomacy: Energy ministers from Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria meet in Belgrade to push regional gas and electricity corridors, energy security and resilience. Court Independence: Siljanovska-Davkova says she won’t interfere in the court case involving Bulgarian-North Macedonian citizen Iva Mihaylova, citing separation of powers. EU Accession Talks With Bulgaria: Foreign ministers may meet in Sofia on Thursday as the EU urges dialogue to unblock North Macedonia’s path to accession negotiations. Governance & Jobs: A World Bank report argues North Macedonia can raise growth and job creation through governance reforms, private-sector support and skills building. International Legal Pressure: The U.S. DOJ announced election-related charges against a North Macedonian national for alleged non-citizen voting. Regional Watch: Germany plans to cut work-visa approvals for Western Balkans from 50,000 to 25,000 in 2027, raising concerns for sectors including construction.

EU Accession Diplomacy: Bulgaria’s foreign minister Velislava Petrova and North Macedonia’s Timco Mucunski are set to meet in Sofia on Thursday ahead of Pan-European Corridor VIII talks, with EC President Ursula von der Leyen urging Skopje to restart EU accession negotiations. Energy Security: Energy ministers from Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria will hold a quadrilateral forum in Belgrade today, focusing on gas/electricity interconnections, supply diversification and renewables. Work Migration: Germany plans to cut Western Balkans work-visa approvals from 50,000 to 25,000 from January 2027, raising concerns for construction and regional labor needs. US Legal Fallout: The US DOJ charged 16 noncitizens in election-crime cases, including a North Macedonian national in Wisconsin accused of unlawfully voting. Regional Context: OECD data shows energy poverty remains severe in the Balkans—38% of Albanian households and 23% in North Macedonia struggle to keep homes warm. Sports-Politics Link: Scotland’s Nations League win in Skopje and the upcoming rematch vs Slovenia keep North Macedonia in the spotlight, while broader “Macedonian issue” tensions resurface in Greece and abroad.

EU Enlargement & Accession: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s push to break deadlocks keeps focus on North Macedonia’s EU path, with reporting also highlighting calls for constitutional change and EU review steps for enlargement. Bilateral Tensions (Greece–North Macedonia): The “Macedonian issue” flared again after Greek reactions to von der Leyen’s remarks in Skopje, reviving disputes over language and culture tied to the Prespa Agreement. Energy Security: An Energy Community oil expert says Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia lead on energy-crisis preparedness through legislation and physical oil stocks, framing it as solidarity beyond domestic reserves. Security & Training: Croatia’s Armed Forces leadership programme drew 19 foreign participants including North Macedonia, underscoring regional military cooperation and English-language training. Sports & National Spotlight: Scotland’s new coach Sébastien Pocognoli begins a home rematch with Slovenia at Hampden after beating North Macedonia 2-0 in Skopje, with the result tied to Nations League seeding for Euro 2028 qualifying.

EU Accession Diplomacy: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova said Sofia is open to talks with North Macedonia “without ultimatums,” while urging Skopje to treat EU enlargement as an EU-wide process and to resolve the Iva Mihaylova case first. Regional Memory Politics: The return of Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria—after a deal with Greece—keeps Balkan identity disputes in the spotlight, with North Macedonia’s PM and media drawing attention to the political fallout. Nations League, Skopje Focus: Scotland’s Sebastien Pocognoli earned his first win as coach with a 2-0 victory over North Macedonia, sparked by Kieron Bowie and sealed by John McGinn’s penalty, in a match marked by a late red card and a pitch invasion by a dog. Next Matchline: Scotland now turns to Slovenia at Hampden, with Andy Robertson celebrating his 100th cap and calling for patience as Pocognoli builds a new team. Security/Training (Regional): Croatia’s “Marko Babić” leadership programme wrapped a maritime phase with participants from Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, trained in English.

EU Accession Diplomacy: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova says Sofia is open to talks with North Macedonia on EU accession “without ultimatums,” while warning that Skopje must follow EU enlargement policy and resolve the Iva Mihaylova case first. Regional Security & Cooperation: Croatia’s Armed Forces hosted a leadership development programme in English with 19 foreign participants from Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, including a maritime phase on Korčula. Nations League (Skopje): Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 in Skopje as Kieron Bowie scored early and John McGinn added a penalty; the match saw a late red card and even a brief pitch invasion by a dog. Scotland Leadership Milestone: Andy Robertson marked his 100th cap with a dominant performance, with Pocognoli’s first win giving Scotland momentum in Nations League B.

EU Accession Talks: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje and urged direct talks with Bulgaria next week to unblock Skopje’s EU path, with Sofia insisting on constitutional changes and recognition of Bulgarians as a community. Diplomatic Tension: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova said her country is open to talks without ultimatums, but warned North Macedonia against treating enlargement as purely bilateral and called for progress on Iva Mihaylova’s case. Regional Politics & History: Bulgaria held a major state ceremony for the return and reburial of medieval Tsar Samuel’s remains from Greece, a move that angered Skopje because Samuel is claimed by North Macedonia as part of its historical identity. Sports With Political Echoes: In Skopje, Scotland beat North Macedonia 2-0 in UEFA Nations League play, with Kieron Bowie scoring early and John McGinn adding a penalty after a handball, while Andy Robertson marked his 100th cap; the match was briefly halted by a dog pitch invasion.

EU Accession Talks: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski in Skopje and urged direct talks with Bulgaria to unblock the EU path, with Brussels insisting constitutional recognition of Bulgarians is the key step before negotiations can move forward. Diplomacy & Rail Corridor VIII: Mickoski said von der Leyen advised Skopje to seek a meeting with Bulgaria’s foreign minister in Sofia on Oct 7-8, tied to Corridor VIII, as both sides look for a way to restart the stalled process. Historical Row With Bulgaria: Bulgaria received Tsar Samuel’s remains from Greece with full state honours in Sofia after an exchange deal, a move that has reignited identity and history disputes in North Macedonia and added pressure to the already frozen EU track. Trade Pressure From Brussels: The EU warned that nearly a quarter of its imports are growing unusually fast, with Chinese goods flagged as the main driver—an issue likely to shape regional economic and policy debates. Security/Foreign Lobbying: Reporting based on U.S. FARA filings says a Skopje-based private defense firm (ATS Group) paid Mercury Public Affairs under a $1.56m contract, positioning North Macedonia as a security partner.

EU Enlargement Push in Skopje: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met PM Hristijan Mickoski, saying North Macedonia must “seize the enlargement momentum” and take the next step to open the “fundamentals cluster,” while the EU prepares pre-enlargement reviews on institutions, policies and budget. EU–Bulgaria Mediation: Mickoski said talks with Bulgaria need EU presence, with a diplomatic note to be sent to Sofia—framing EU mediation as key to unblocking accession. US Military Aid Controversy: The Trump administration reportedly redirected about $52m in military aid originally meant for Slovakia and North Macedonia to Panama, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, drawing pushback from senior Democrats. Bulgarians’ Constitutional Fight: Bulgarian organizations in North Macedonia protested a proposal to include Bulgarians in the Constitution with delayed effect, arguing it risks leaving rights unprotected. Security & Terrorism: North Macedonia’s Interior Ministry reported arrests of ISIS members and investigations tied to terrorism. Sports (Skopje Focus): Nations League action dominates headlines as Scotland, led by Sebastien Pocognoli, visits North Macedonia seeking a first win, with both sides struggling to score.