Skopje, 6 November 2025 (MIA) - The Government remains fully aligned with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union, because this is a great benefit for the character of our mutual relations and for the level of our commitment to European values. As a Government, we remain fully committed to the European path and the reforms which make the country stronger, more functional and more just, because our objective is full-fledged membership in the EU, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told a joint press conference with EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas after the handover of the 2025 European Commission Progress Report for the country. 

The EC Progress Report, said the PM, is not an assessment for one year or for one Government, but it is a continuity of the reform processes, the level of institutional maturity, and the way in which the country responds to the European priorities.

"The Report notes that in certain areas there is limited or some progress, there are no areas with backsliding, and in four areas there is good progress. In free movement of capital, the level of preparedness has been increased due to joining SEPA and the implementation of measures against money laundering and terrorism funding. The Commission welcomes the steps made in regard to the economy with stable banking sector, moderate GDP growth, adoption of the law on internal financial control and appointing of the members of the fiscal council - these are all measures which reinforce the fiscal discipline and transparency," the PM said. 

According to him, there are positive assessments for digitization reforms and modernization of the public administration, e-procurement systems and reinforcement of cybersecurity.  

"Progress has been noted in education, science and youth policies, especially through increased participation in the Horizon Europe programmes and COST. When it comes to infrastructure, the European Commission notes the great activities around Corridor VIII, TEN-T network, and the new law on energy which opens the road to green and just transition. We continue advancing our preparedness in the area of media freedom. It is important to underscore that there is real progress achieved in key segments of the media regulation and institutional independence. Especially when it comes to the financial independence of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, which has been reinforced and this is an important step towards transparent and professional media operation," said Mickoski.  

As regards the legislation framework, he added, although additional harmonization with the EU acquis is needed, especially in terms of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), steps have already been made when it comes to the law on media. This only shows that we, as a Government, he stressed, have been actively working on approximation towards the European standards and creating legal framework which guarantees media freedom and pluralism. 

"Of course, the Report points out to challenged which the country must address with even more increased dynamics. There are challenges in the area of the rule of law, independence of judiciary, and the fight against corruption. The political polarization and insufficient cooperation between the institutions remain obstacles which do not allow the implementation of reforms," the Macedonian PM said. 

This Government, he stressed, is quite aware of these challenges and is working on overcoming them. 

"There are new priorities for reforms of the judiciary, increase of accountability and establishing clear criteria for assessment of judges and public prosecutors. When it comes to anti-corruption, the process of full digitization of public procurement and transparency of the budget expenditures will continue in 2026. When it comes to the public administration, the Government is resolved to terminate the long-term model of partisanship and to establish a system in which competence and professionalism will be the single criteria for progress. In parallel, there are activities for improvement of the conditions in the prisons, for advancement of human rights and for social integration of vulnerable categories," Mickoski pointed out. 

As a Government, he said, we remain fully committed to the European path and the reforms which make the country stronger, more functional and more just. We will address all areas which note certain stalemate, he added, with concrete measures, clear deadlines and accountability, because our objective is full-fledged membership in the European Union.  

Photo/video: Government and print screen