Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski rejected criticism from European Parliament rapporteur Thomas Waitz, who said North Macedonia had made no progress on reforms over the past year, highlighting growing tensions over the country’s EU accession path.
Mickoski told reporters he disagreed with Waitz’s assessment, saying the report he had seen presented a different picture.
“I don’t know which report you have read from rapporteur Thomas Waitz. On the contrary, the report I have seen is the complete opposite of your claims,” Mickoski said.
Waitz, speaking in an interview with Euronews Bulgaria, warned that North Macedonia risks losing momentum in its EU bid without reforms and political will.
“For now, I do not see the necessary reforms being undertaken. At this moment, I do not see political will from the government to seriously engage, especially when it comes to the rule of law and judicial independence,” Waitz said.
He added that failure to implement reforms could result in the loss of financial support, including 47 million euros, which could be redirected to neighboring countries.
Waitz stressed that key reforms required for EU accession include strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and ensuring an independent judiciary.
“Corruption is a cancer in our societies, including in the EU. The question is whether institutions have the capacity and political space to act,” he said, adding that improvements are still expected from North Macedonia.
The remarks come amid ongoing debates over the country’s reform agenda and constitutional changes required to advance EU accession talks.
The exchange underscores a widening gap between domestic political messaging and assessments from EU institutions, at a time when North Macedonia faces pressure to accelerate reforms or risk delays in its European integration process.