About: Macedonia
EU to deploy border guards in Macedonia to curb migrants
The European Union said it struck a deal on Wednesday (18 July) with Macedonia to deploy border guards to the non-EU Balkan state to help cope with any migrant surges. Serbia and Bosnia are expected to follow.
EU begins screening Macedonia, Albania for mid-2019 accession talks
The European Union began screening the readiness of Balkan neighbours Macedonia and Albania yesterday (17 July) to start negotiations by June next year on joining the EU.
Macedonia’s roadmap to NATO accession explained
As expected, Macedonia received an official invitation to join the NATO alliance yesterday (11 July), a month after it reached an agreement with Athens on its new name.
Greece, Russia to expel diplomats in Macedonia tussle ahead of NATO summit
Russia and Greece were poised on Wednesday (11 July) to expel two of each other's diplomats in a rare dispute that Greek media said had been prompted by the issue of Macedonia, which expects this week to be formally invited to join the NATO alliance.
Progress for Western Balkan nations – a step forward for federalised Europe
Though the EU has lately been busy dealing with issues such as Brexit and the migration crisis, it has found time to talk of the integration of the Western Balkans. A steady integration of the region is good news indeed as this could lead to a federalised Europe and a complete Union, writes Bernard Kouchner.
Albania and Macedonia – a ray of hope and a warning for Balkans
Everyone was taken by surprise on Tuesday (26 June) when EU ministers agreed to set out a path for opening accession talks with Albania and Macedonia in June 2019. Many were doubtful this would be agreed, at a time when the EU is facing difficult challenges, write Adnan Ćerimagić and Zoran Nechev.
EU puts ‘North Macedonia’ and Albania on hold until the European elections
The European Union agreed a compromise on Tuesday (26 June) whereby it would open negotiations to join the bloc with Albania and Macedonia in June next year, provided a string of conditions on rule of law, crime and corruption are met.
Greek FM: Europe must keep its word to North Macedonia and Albania
EXCLUSIVE / EU capitals should keep their word and open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania at the 28-29 June summit, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview.
Netherlands to veto the opening of accession negotiations with Albania
The Dutch parliament blocked on Thursday (21 June) the opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania. The EU summit will decide on 28-29 June whether to open negotiations with Macedonia and Albania.
Tsipras and Zaev seal historic deal to end name dispute
Greece and Macedonia on Sunday (17 June) signed a historic preliminary agreement to rename the small Balkan nation the Republic of North Macedonia, ending a row that has poisoned relations between the two neighbours since 1991.
Macedonia expects more resistance as name solution nears – minister
Macedonia's deputy prime minister expects growing "external resistance" as negotiations on the name dispute with Greece get closer to a final deal which would unblock the country's NATO and EU membership bid.
Western Balkans remain in standby mode
EU members want to take their time with a new round of enlargement - something that the Western Balkans summit this Thursday (17 May) in Sofia is unlikely to change. EURACTIV Germany’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Defeating extremism in the Balkans
As a region deeply connected to the EU, the Western Balkans should no longer be forgotten. With Austria’s upcoming presidency of the EU, it is high time to reboot the region’s economic development and its integration into the Union, as well as recognise its progress in countering terrorism, writes Peter R. Neumann.
Mattis applauds Macedonia effort to solve name dispute
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday (1 May) praised Macedonia's efforts to resolve a decades-old name dispute with Greece, and said he hoped the Balkan country will be able to join NATO.
We are aware of ‘Europeisation fatigue’, warns Albanian minister
Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati briefed a small group of Brussels journalists on Thursday (26 April) about his country’s EU ambitions, following the Commission’s proposal to start accession negotiations with Tirana and a visit of Prime Minister Edi Rama to Berlin last Wednesday.
Athens calls on Hahn to stop ‘undermining’ Macedonian name dispute talks
European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said on Tuesday (24 April) that Greece’s name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) could be resolved in the next 15 days.
Hahn: Carrot for Albania and Macedonia, customs union for Turkey
With the Western Balkans accession talks underway, the EU’s enlargement policy is advancing. In the case of Turkey, however, there is a deadlock. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn comments on the recent developments.
Macedonian government survives no-confidence vote
The Macedonian government on Wednesday (11 April) survived a parliamentary vote of no-confidence brought by the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party over its handling of relations with Greece and Bulgaria.
Serbian president calls on Balkan peers to create common market
Serbia's president called on western Balkan countries to settle their differences and create a common market to attract badly needed foreign investment.
The Brief, powered by PLATFORMA – The Merkel of the Balkans
Ten days ago Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev went to Mutti Merkel to seek her support in trying to untangle the eternal name dispute with Greece, a mess that has for many years prevented his country from joining NATO and starting EU accession negotiations.
Juncker tells Balkan states 2025 entry possible for all
European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker told Western Balkan countries on Sunday (25 February) to bear in mind 2025 as the date when any of them could join the European Union provided they worked to meet the criteria for membership.
Hahn ‘confident’ Macedonia name row settled by July
The European Union is "very confident" Macedonia will settle a long-running row with Greece over its name before July, the EU commissioner responsible for enlargement said today (16 February).
Macedonia ready to make concessions in name row
Macedonia, is ready to make concessions over its name by adding an extra geographic designation, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said yesterday (6 February), in a bid to end a long-running row with Greece.