The European integration process for North Macedonia has entered a complex phase, where the technical dynamics of negotiations intertwine with domestic political calculations and emerging geopolitical developments in Europe. While some countries in the region are advancing at an accelerated pace toward European Union membership, Skopje remains stalled on opening the first negotiation cluster, “Fundamentals.”
In an interview with Balkanview, North Macedonia’s former chief negotiator with the EU, Drita Abdiu Halili, analyzes the reasons behind the current deadlock, the balance between external political factors and internal institutional challenges, and the strategic risks if the country loses momentum at a time when EU enlargement has regained prominence on the European agenda.
She discusses the pace of reforms, the country’s real institutional readiness, the gap between political discourse and reform implementation, and the strategic decisions North Macedonia must make in the coming years if it wants to remain an active participant in the new wave of EU enlargement.
Negotiation Dynamics
Balkanview: Based on your experience as the head of the negotiation team, how much of North Macedonia’s current blockage can be realistically attributed to external political obstacles (Bulgaria, previously Greece) versus unresolved issues within the negotiation framework itself?
Drita Abdiu Halili: The EU enlargement process has always been as political as it is technical. This has become even more evident after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, when enlargement once again took on a strategic role in European security. In this new geopolitical context, the EU sees enlargement as part of its stability architecture, not just as a legal harmonization exercise.
In North Macedonia’s case, the negotiation framework adopted in 2022 remains in effect, and the EU has been clear that the next step is fulfilling the agreed conditions, including constitutional amendments related to opening the “Fundamentals” cluster. Procedurally, the initiative must come from Skopje.
This position has been consistently reiterated by EU institutions and was reflected again in the 19th Stabilization and Association Committee meeting in February 2026. The official statement emphasized that North Macedonia should continue to advance in the accession process and implement the conditions set out in the 2022 European Council Conclusions, while welcoming progress on benchmarks for opening the “Fundamentals” cluster, including guidance on public administration reform, rule of law, and minority rights protection plans.
From a technical standpoint, the process is structured, and the EU is asking for the implementation of agreed conditions. The need for constitutional amendments stems from a political compromise reached in 2022, and internal debate—particularly with the current government expressing reservations—shows that the issue has largely become a domestic political matter.
In the current European context, where enlargement has regained strategic momentum due to geopolitical developments, neighboring countries are advancing rapidly. Ukraine and Moldova are moving forward under security pressures, while Montenegro and Albania are in advanced negotiation phases with publicly mentioned accession timelines around 2027–2030. This places North Macedonia at a strategic moment, where it must demonstrate clearly whether it is ready to seize the current enlargement window or risk falling behind in a process that waits for no one.
Reform Pace and Implementation
Balkanview: Do you think North Macedonia has fully leveraged the negotiation process to advance reforms, or has prolonged uncertainty weakened the strategic discipline of the accession process?
Drita Abdiu Halili: After years of stagnation, during the bilateral screening process, the country gained real momentum. The administration engaged intensively, prepared key documents professionally, and presented them seriously in Brussels. Screening was an important moment of institutional mobilization.
However, the full transformative potential of the process has not yet been realized. Screening is preparatory: it clarifies where the country stands and, through European Commission reports, lays out the path for the next steps. Real transformation occurs in implementation.
North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda, within the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Instrument (2024–2027), approved by the European Commission in October 2024, includes 37 key reforms with 136 activities across five priority areas, supported by roughly €750 million in grants and loans. An initial prepayment of €52.2 million was received in March 2025, partially disbursed to the state budget and infrastructure projects. However, subsequent disbursements depend on concrete reform benchmarks, reflecting a still-limited implementation pace.
The example of Moldova illustrates that even under challenging conditions, reforms can advance quickly when political priority and institutional coordination exist. North Macedonia’s prolonged negotiation process has affected both credibility and reform momentum: without visible procedural progress, reforms lose strategic urgency and become a domestic political debate, especially in the rule of law sector.
EU Harmonization: Albania vs. North Macedonia
Balkanview: Albania has opened all clusters, while North Macedonia remains blocked. Which country has more harmonized legislation with the EU? Who is closer to membership?
Drita Abdiu Halili: EU integration is not measured solely by the number of harmonized laws. It requires full legislative alignment, sufficient institutional and human capacity for effective implementation, and tangible progress.
Until 2024, North Macedonia was arguably ahead of Albania in legal alignment and implementation. Today, Albania, having opened all clusters, is actively working on interim and closing benchmarks, moving toward full compliance. North Macedonia, despite completing technical screening, remains blocked without opening the “Fundamentals” cluster.
Institutional Readiness
Balkanview: In which areas does North Macedonia lag in fulfilling the “Fundamentals” cluster requirements, particularly regarding rule of law, public administration, and anti-corruption? Is it accurate to say North Macedonia is technically ready but politically blocked?
Drita Abdiu Halili: North Macedonia has built a formal reform architecture aligned with EU requirements, including strategies and legal interventions under Chapters 23 and 24. The challenge is not designing reforms but making them structural and irreversible. Technical readiness exists, but progress depends on institutional consolidation, sustainable implementation, and verifiable results.
Environmental Alignment
Balkanview: How seriously were environmental obligations addressed during negotiation preparation? Could environmental governance weaknesses become long-term structural barriers even if bilateral political issues are resolved?
Drita Abdiu Halili: The EU screening process evaluates every chapter with rigor, including Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change. Weaknesses, if not sustainably addressed, can indeed become structural barriers, as EU law demands full compliance, effective institutions, monitoring systems, and investments in infrastructure like wastewater and waste management.
Public Trust and Political Discourse
Balkanview: How has the extended accession process affected institutional motivation and public trust? Is there a gap between official political discourse and the institutions’ real capacity to implement sustainable reforms?
Drita Abdiu Halili: Prolonged stagnation erodes both institutional confidence and public trust in the EU process. While technical capacities exist, persistent politicization, frequent rotations, and brain drain weaken institutional memory and reform continuity, creating a gap between political narrative and practical implementation.
Regional Context and Strategic Perspective
Balkanview: What are the strategic consequences if neighboring countries advance faster in accession?
Drita Abdiu Halili: Falling behind has real consequences. It risks losing a position in the new European integration architecture, creating gaps with neighbors, and undermining credibility as a serious partner. Seizing this moment is a strategic choice for long-term national positioning.
Balkanview: What immediate institutional or political steps are essential to regain momentum and credibility in EU negotiations over the next two years?
Drita Abdiu Halili: Clear priorities and swift decisions are crucial. Resolving the political deadlock blocking the “Fundamentals” cluster, building internal consensus for the European course, revitalizing negotiation structures, and focusing on benchmarks—especially Chapters 23 and 24—are essential. The political maturity of the leadership will be judged by the ability to open “Fundamentals” and restore North Macedonia’s pace alongside Albania, Montenegro, and even Ukraine and Moldova. This is not symbolic—it is strategic positioning in a time when EU enlargement is taking a new direction.