North Macedonia on Monday marks 34 years since declaring independence, a milestone that embodies a dual narrative: a story of survival and Euro-Atlantic integration, but also of recurring crises that have shaped the country’s path.
Since September 8, 1991, the small Balkan nation has gone through three distinct phases: its foundation and turbulent transition (1991–2001), the 2001 armed conflict and subsequent democratization (2001–2010), and a period of Euro-Atlantic integration, culminating in NATO membership and the start of European Union accession talks.
A Long and Difficult Transition
In its first decade, the country faced challenges familiar to other former Yugoslav republics: ethnic tensions, the absence of constitutional consensus, and a political class more focused on divisions than building an inclusive society. Ethnic Albanians, the second-largest community, were excluded from key state-building processes and refused to endorse the 1991 constitution, planting the seeds for conflict.
That conflict erupted in 2001, lasting eight months and claiming nearly 120 lives. The country came close to civil war before Washington and Brussels brokered the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which prevented escalation and reshaped the state. The deal amended the constitution to guarantee greater rights for Albanians and redefined the country’s governance around coexistence.
Euro-Atlantic Integration as a Strategic Horizon
After Ohrid, North Macedonia turned outward, setting its sights on NATO and EU membership. Joining NATO in 2020 was hailed as a major strategic breakthrough, made possible only after the painful Prespa Agreement with Greece, which required changing the country’s name. But the road to EU membership remains uncertain, hampered by Bulgaria’s vetoes and skepticism within the Union itself.
Domestically, political instability, entrenched corruption and ethnic polarization continue to hinder the building of functional institutions. Yet North Macedonia has stood out among former Yugoslav republics by avoiding large-scale violence and keeping its Euro-Atlantic course.
Three decades on, the question remains: is North Macedonia a modest Balkan success story or a state caught in perpetual crisis management? The answer, as ever, depends on whether its political elites are willing to leave behind Balkan rivalries and embrace a European future.