Macedonia has emerged as one of the stronger performers in implementing reforms under the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, but its EU accession process remains constrained by the unresolved issue of constitutional amendments.
In its 2026 Enlargement Package, published on November 4, the European Commission acknowledged the country’s progress in carrying out its Reform Agenda while emphasizing that further steps are necessary before accession negotiations can advance.
The assessment presents a mixed picture for Macedonia, recognizing progress in implementing reforms while highlighting the political obstacles that continue to affect its European integration.
Macedonia Among Top Performers in EU Reform Agenda
According to the European Commission, Macedonia made significant progress in implementing reforms under the Reform and Growth Facility, placing it among the leading performers in the region.
The country also continued work on the requirements for opening the fundamentals cluster, which covers areas central to EU membership, including the rule of law and public administration.
The Commission noted the adoption of a roadmap for public administration reform and continued work on the rule-of-law roadmap, alongside an action plan concerning minorities.
However, Brussels emphasized that further efforts are needed to strengthen the rule of law and meet the remaining requirements for advancing accession negotiations.
Constitutional Amendments Remain a Key Obstacle
Despite the progress, Macedonia has yet to adopt the constitutional amendments it previously committed to implementing.
The changes remain a central requirement for moving forward in the accession process.
The European Commission stressed that intensified efforts to adopt the amendments and complete the opening benchmarks are essential for further progress.
The findings underline the distinction between implementing reforms and advancing formal EU accession negotiations.
While Macedonia has received recognition for its work under the EU’s Reform Agenda, the constitutional issue continues to prevent the country from moving ahead at the same pace as some other candidates.
The latest assessment places renewed attention on the decisions needed to advance Macedonia’s EU membership ambitions.
