North Macedonia has warned the European Union that delaying enlargement could fuel Russian influence in the Western Balkans, as the country grows frustrated over stalled accession talks.
Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski told Euronews that Skopje has made “difficult compromises” to join the bloc, only to face repeated setbacks.
“We changed our flag, our currency, our constitution several times, even the name of our country. All on the promise of an opportunity to join the EU,” Mucunski said.
He cautioned that EU credibility was at stake and that prolonged inaction could play into Russian propaganda.
“Malign actors ask: ‘Do you really believe the EU is serious about enlargement? Look at how they treat the Macedonians,'” he said.
Decades-long wait
North Macedonia applied for EU membership 20 years ago and became a candidate in 2005. However, accession talks have been blocked, largely due to disputes with Bulgaria over minority rights. Skopje is now seeking institutional guarantees to prevent further obstacles.
“Will this be the final compromise? Will constitutional amendments ensure that six months or a year from now, another veto will not arise over a bilateral issue?” Mucunski asked.
Tensions with Greece have also resurfaced, with some ministers refusing to use “North” in the country’s name, despite the 2018 Prespa Agreement that ended a three-decade dispute.
“I will never say I am happy with Prespa or that renaming a nation is fair in the 21st century,” Mucunski said. “But as foreign minister and a lawyer, I understand that agreements must be upheld—this is a fundamental principle of international law.”
EU concerns
Beyond bilateral disputes, the European Commission has cited limited progress on judicial independence and persistent corruption as key obstacles to accession.
“Our government took office less than a year ago and has made direct efforts to combat corruption at all levels,” Mucunski said. “But this is not something that can be done overnight.”
