Europe Must Speak with One Voice on North Macedonia

On the one hand, the Commission and Germany support the opening of the accession talks, while on the other France is opposed. At the same time, Brussels, Berlin, and Paris all have their own strategies for the EU perspective of the Western Balkans, but with different end goals or lack thereof.

The absence of synergy between these strategies may reverse the reform process, halt regional cooperation and increase Euroscepticism among the Macedonian citizens.

If the EU closes its doors to North Macedonia, the country may also fall under the increased influence of the other powers present in the region, such as Russia, China, and Turkey.

'Credible enlargement perspective'

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in Skopje, North Macedonia, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

It was no secret that besides the name dispute with Greece, Skopje had to convince the bloc of its readiness for accession talks by improving the situation with regards rule of law and reinforcing the fight against corruption and organised crime.

This became an absolute condition for the start of the accession negotiations in 2016 when the European Commission characterised the situation in North Macedonia as one of "state capture".

This definition followed the findings of the so-called Priebe Group which cited "significant shortcomings", such as illegal interception of communications, political interference in the judiciary, lack of division of powers, and electoral fraud deriving from the 2015 wiretapping scandal revealed by the then Macedonian opposition.

The new reformist government led by Zoran Zaev, which came to power in May 2017, was expected to act upon the conditions set by the European Commission.

Therefore,...