The European Union has no alternative plan for North Macedonia’s accession and the country must deliver on its commitments under the negotiating framework, European Council President António Costa said on Wednesday during a visit to Skopje.
“What has been agreed must be implemented. There is nothing left to renegotiate,” Costa told a joint press conference with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, underscoring that constitutional changes to include Bulgarians remain a key condition for opening EU accession chapters.
Costa, who is on a tour of the Western Balkans, praised the reform efforts made so far by North Macedonia but stressed that “the process has taken too long – now is the time for concrete results.”
He reiterated the EU’s commitment to enlargement, describing it as the Union’s “best geostrategic investment in peace, security, and stability.” Costa urged the government to press ahead with reforms, particularly in the rule of law and fight against corruption, and highlighted the importance of strategic projects such as the modernisation of Corridors 8 and 10.
The Portuguese official also welcomed North Macedonia’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and its support for Ukraine, noting the importance of maintaining momentum through further engagement in international fora.
Speaking alongside Costa, Prime Minister Mickoski said the current negotiating framework was the result of a “bad deal” made by the previous government and reiterated his position that constitutional amendments will not move forward without concrete guarantees.
“We have no issue with including nationalities in the Constitution, but in the case of Bulgaria, we see no reciprocal feedback. This is a two-way street,” Mickoski said. He added that he was ready to meet with the Bulgarian prime minister under EU mediation to find a mutually acceptable solution.
Costa later met with President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and will continue his regional tour in Tirana, where he will join Mickoski for the European Political Community summit.
In Albania, Costa congratulated Prime Minister Edi Rama on his recent election victory, calling Albania “a symbol of EU enlargement momentum.” He praised Tirana’s reform track and said accession was no longer a matter of “if” but “when.”
“Albania is on track to join the European Union,” Costa said, stressing the need to sustain reform efforts in key areas such as rule of law and anti-corruption.
He also welcomed the upcoming European Political Community summit hosted by Albania and hailed the launch of the College of Europe campus in Tirana, calling it “a powerful signal of faith in our shared European future.”
“The accession process is a marathon, not a sprint,” Costa concluded. “North Macedonia and Albania must stay the course. With determination and cooperation, you will get there.”