Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the enduring shadow of Russia’s war on Ukraine, leaders from the six Western Balkan countries reaffirmed their commitment to EU integration and regional cooperation at a high-level summit in Skopje. But the unity expressed on paper stands in stark contrast to the simmering domestic and bilateral disputes threatening to derail momentum.
The summit, hosted by North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and attended by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, concluded with a 21-point joint statement reaffirming dedication to structural reforms, implementation of the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, and greater economic convergence through a regional market aligned with the EU’s Single Market.
Leaders praised the digital and energy transitions, expressed hope for a “roam like at home” policy across the region by January 2026, and committed to fast-tracking SEPA integration and connectivity initiatives such as the Digital Summit in Skopje scheduled for October.
But beneath the upbeat rhetoric, friction was hard to miss.
Identity Politics Reemerge
Commissioner Kos’s speech, meant to underscore shared European values, reignited controversy. Her comments that identity is “not a political condition but the essence of human dignity” resonated positively. Yet, her inclusion of “beans in a pot, pinjur, stuffed peppers, and folk costumes” as illustrations of identity triggered outrage on social media and sharp critiques from politicians and analysts, who saw the metaphors as banalizing deeply rooted historical tensions.
The backlash exposed ongoing sensitivities stemming from Bulgaria’s long-standing challenges to the recognition of the Macedonian identity and language—tensions that many in Skopje feel Brussels continues to underestimate.
Former Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov warned that such rhetoric risks undermining the credibility of the EU’s enlargement policy. “Our problem is not fear of losing identity,” Dimitrov said. “Our problem is that identity issues have become preconditions for membership—a fundamentally anti-European approach.”
The comment echoes longstanding concerns that Bulgaria’s bilateral demands, particularly around historical narratives and constitutional amendments recognizing a Bulgarian minority, have been inappropriately folded into the EU accession process—turning what should be a merit-based path into a minefield of political conditionality.
EU’s Double Bind
Marta Kos noted that 75% of agreed reforms across the region are already implemented or underway, and emphasized the EU’s support for accelerating integration through initiatives like WiFi4WB and digital harmonization. Yet even as Brussels attempts to fast-track the region’s convergence with EU standards, it remains entangled in internal contradictions.
Analysts warn that while the EU preaches inclusivity and diversity, it has yet to fully resolve how to handle member states that wield veto power over accession based on identity disputes.
“Identity, according to the Commissioner herself, should never be a matter of political bargaining,” said Aleksandar Krzhalovski from the Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation. “But it is. It’s the core of the misunderstanding with Bulgaria.”
The Commissioner’s comments come just days before a crucial European Parliament vote on North Macedonia’s progress report—where Bulgarian MEPs are expected to again push for language around a “modern Macedonian identity,” a move Skopje sees as deeply problematic.
DUI in Opposition Slams Government
In an unusually sharp statement, the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), now in opposition, accused the Mickoski-led government of alienating one of the country’s most supportive EU allies.
“Marta Kos is not only a key official in the enlargement process but a sincere friend of our country,” DUI said in a press release. “Instead of reinforcing ties, the government demonstrated intolerance and a lack of diplomatic capacity at a crucial moment.”
The party criticized Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Orhan Murtezani for failing to defend the Commissioner publicly and for contributing to a narrative that jeopardizes relations with Brussels.
“Silence in the face of nationalist rhetoric is not a technical failure—it’s a political one,” DUI concluded.
EU Membership Support Waning
Years of delays and shifting goalposts have eroded public faith in the accession process. A new poll shows 46.5% of citizens no longer believe that North Macedonia will ever join the EU. Support for EU membership, once nearly unanimous, has declined to just over 50%.
“The enlargement process has become a space for bilateral torture, rather than democratic transformation,” said Dimitrov. “It’s no longer just about reform fatigue—it’s about enlargement fatigue on both sides.”
The EU’s new Growth Plan, coupled with real deliverables such as regional roaming and digital integration, offers concrete incentives. But without addressing the underlying political and identity disputes—especially those weaponized by member states—enthusiasm for integration could continue to decline.
As the Western Balkans inch toward Brussels, the EU’s challenge lies not just in accelerating reforms, but in shielding the process from politicized interference. If not, the region risks remaining permanently stuck in the waiting room—closer than ever to the EU, yet still out of reach.