Skopje, 6 November 2025 (MIA) – Your country has come a long way on its European path. The foundations are there, now it is time to build on them with renewed energy, unity and commitment. The EU stands with you at every step of the way, and together we share the same vision of a future where the country takes its rightful place in the European family as a strong, democratic and prosperous member of our Union, EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas told Thursday's joint press conference with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski on the 2025 European Commission Progress Report for the country.  

Rokas also voiced assurance that swift EU enlargement remains a shared priority and goal, especially in the current geopolitical context.

"The task ahead is clear and work should start without further delay, as we aspire to see North Macedonia making the most of the current momentum. The European Union stands by your side throughout this process, but ownership must remain yours," Rokas said.

According to the EU Ambassador, the Report comes at a very important moment for the EU path of North Macedonia. 

"As Commissioner Marta Kos highlighted, we face a rapidly transforming geopolitical landscape. Only by completing the unification of Europe we can ensure peace, freedom and prosperity on our continent. This is our shared goal," said Rokas. 

The Report, he noted, provides necessary recommendations to keep the country firmly on its EU path.   

"Now is the moment to seize the momentum and accelerate reforms to move forward decisively. Compared with last year's report, as mentioned by the Prime Minister, some progress has been made, however this underlines the need for renewed effort and commitment across the political spectrum," Rokas pointed out. 

There has been no progress, he said, on judiciary reforms and the fight against corruption. 

"This remains essential. These are not just benchmarks, they are the foundation for citizens' trust and for the country's European future. For the third year in a row, in these areas we have no significant progress, yet this is precisely where renewed commitment can make the greatest difference. Ensuring the independence and financial autonomy of the judiciary, free from interference will be key to restoring public trust and moving reforms forward. This will also require adequate financing, which means that the necessary increase in funding should be reflected in the draft budget for 2026 to to ensure that resources match the country's reform ambitions," said Rokas.   

With regard to the fight against corruption, the EU Ambassador highlighted that the Criminal Code needs to be swiftly amended in line with the decisions of the Contitutional Court. 

"To build on this positive foundation, it will be important to overcome political divisions, accelerate pending reforms and complete the long overdue appointments. Progress on constitutional changes remains pending but there is a real opportunity to relaunch dialogue and move ahead with this crucial commitment," Rokas said. 

We welcome the fact, Rokas pointed out, that the country has continued developing the roadmaps for the rule of law, public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions, as well as the action plan on protection of minorities, which are key preparatory steps for meeting the opening benchmarks of the Fundamentals cluster in the EU accession process. 

"We look forward to seeing these important documents being adopted by the year's end, and to move forward with the integration process. Across policy areas, reform efforts have slowed, yet encouraging developments stand out such as advances in the free movement of capital, science and research, and the other areas mentioned by the Prime Minister," Rokas said.  

You can rest assured, Rokas pointed out, swift EU enlargement remains our shared priority and goal, especially in the current geopolitical context. In this regard, he added, "we highly appreciate that the country has maintained full alignment with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, including on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine".  

"This demonstrates that the country continues to be a reliable partner firmly sharing the EU's values and priorities," Rokas said. 

He noted that as every year, he has already presented the Report to the President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, to the Speaker of the Parliament Afrim Gashi, the Government, the judiciary and to the civil society. He said that starting this year, his team will also present the enlargement package in other cities and towns across the country to reach and engage with more citizens. 

The EU, Rokas stressed, has been working hard to advance the gradual integration of the country, noting as positive steps joining the SEPA system, discussions progressing on the extension of roaming, substantial financial support via the Growth Plan, as well as the fact that the country is one of only three candidate countries to host AI Factories Antennas as part of the EU's AI innovation package. 

Photo: print screen