Tag: eu
Macedonia 28.03.24 | 20:54

Macedonia needs to pay back 2.2 million EUR in EU education grants because of fraud

The European Union’s fraud investigation unit OLAF is seeking 2.2 million EUR back, after the funds were abused by the Erasmus+ program. The abuse happened between 2016 and 2018, and the Agency managing Erasmus funding was informed that the money need to be returned. Marko Gjorgievski, head of...

Macedonia 14.03.24 | 21:42

Escobar expects Macedonia to become “a full EU membership candidate, and an immediate candidate”

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said that Macedonia should become a full EU membership candidate, and an immediate candidate. Speaking from Brussels, Escobar added that Macedonia “has been a very solid partner, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora such as NATO and the...

Macedonia 16.12.23 | 12:10

“Why didn’t SDSM and DUI use their international connections to lift the Bulgarian veto?”

Following the failure at the latest European Council, where Macedonia, and other Balkan countries, were snubbed in their integration expectations, VMRO-DPMNE called out the SDSM-DUI Government for failing to use its alleged international support to advance Macedonia’s cause. Macedonia’s pre-negotiations...

Macedonia 14.12.23 | 08:52

EU Summit: European leaders interested only in Ukraine, the Balkans only mentioned

EU enlargement policy, including the stabilization and association process, the latest developments with Russian aggression against Ukraine and the Union’s continued support for the country and the Ukrainian people, the situation in the Middle East and the proposed revision of the multiannual financial...

World 12.12.23 | 13:01

Europeans are receptive to Ukraine entering the EU, but not the Western Balkans; 26% are in favor of Macedonia joining the EU.

Ahead of the EU Summit, a survey conducted across six member states revealed a mixed attitude toward EU enlargement. While there’s openness toward Ukraine joining, doubts linger about admitting countries from the Western Balkans, Georgia, and Turkey. The Guardian reported these findings. The survey,...

Macedonia 08.11.23 | 22:42

EU blasts the Government for its high level of corruption

The latest progress report prepared by the European Commission is exceptionally critical for Macedonia, with conclusions that the country has made no progress in the fight against corruption, which is rife in the country and is an issue of concern. Macedonia is also accused of abusing Parliament rules...

World 06.11.23 | 17:54

The European Commission promises Gaza an additional €25 million in aid

According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brussels will provide Gaza an additional €25 million ($26.9 million) in humanitarian relief on Monday. According to her, this brings the EU’s total funding for people in Gaza to €100 million. According to von der Leyen, the EU...

Macedonia 06.09.23 | 21:19

EU mission in Macedonia is reviewing the proposed changes to the Criminal Code

The mission of the European Union in Macedonia issued a statement regarding the vote in Parliament to adopt urgent changes to the Criminal Code. The changes will reduce prison terms for cases of abuse of office, and are being proposed under the controversial EU flag procedure. The Delegation of the EU...

Macedonia 02.09.23 | 14:59

SPM: This sad excuse for a president obviously doesn’t posses the capacity to understand Macedonia’s needs

The Socialist Party of Macedonia described as shameful President Stevo Pendarovski’s statement that the opposition obstructs the Macedonian membership in the EU. SPM states that this sad excuse for a president based his statements on his personal inconsistency, the distorted perception of Macedonia’s...

Macedonia 31.08.23 | 12:09

Under the rule of SDSM, Macedonia became the most depressive country in Europe

Macedonia’s plight with the EU continues. First, neighboring Greece blocked its membership negotiations due to the name dispute. Now Bulgaria is taking its turn, Deutsche Welle analyzes the situation in the country. After two and a half decades of dispute, Skopje agreed to change the previous name...

Balkans 30.08.23 | 19:44

Under Macron’s plan, Balkan countries would sit in the EU, but won’t have the right to vote

Austrian Europe Minister Karoline Edtstadler discussed the proposal from French President Emmanuel Macron to create different tiers of EU member states, before any Balkan country is allowed to join the EU. Unlike Austria, which is enthusiastic about bringing new countries to the EU, France is a deep...

Balkans 29.08.23 | 21:18

Hungarian Minister Szijjarto calls on the EU not to wait until 2030 and admit the Balkan countries as soon as possible

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto called on the European Union to open accession talks with the Balkan countries immediately, and to add them to the EU as soon as possible. Szijjarto spoke in response to comments from European Council President Charles Michel who cited 2030 as a year when the...

Balkans 29.08.23 | 16:51

Charles Michel’s hopeful announcement to the Balkans dismissed by the EU Commission

A day after European Council President Charles Michel hinted that the EU would be ready to bring in new members by 2030, a Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant asked the press not to speculate with accession dates. Michel was trying to restore some hope in the long waiting Balkan countries – not...

Macedonia 29.08.23 | 12:42

SPM: The Macedonian diplomacy’s incompetence is worrying, hence the PM’s public self-shaming

The Socialist Party of Macedonia reacts to the “unfortunate and frivolous statements” by Kovachevski, delivered at the Bled Strategic Forum this weekend. The party complains that, instead of gaining an additional motive to fight for his country from the content of the Bled Agreement from...

Macedonia 29.08.23 | 12:02

If the EU ever enlarges toward West Balkan, it will be with one seat and no voting rights

Following French President Emanuel Macron and the European Council Chairperson Jean Michelle’s statements it becomes clear what direction the EU enlargement with the Balkan region will take. What is really important is that we have to forget about membership in 2030 – it was but a tasty ЕУ...

Macedonia 28.08.23 | 20:29

Macron pours cold water on the Government’s promises of an open path to the EU

French President Emmanuel Macron poured cold water on the latest attempt of the DUI – SDSM led Government to insist that Macedonia has a unique opportunity to join the EU, if only she accepts the latest demand for national concessions. Speaking at a gathering of the French ambassadors, Macron discussed...

Macedonia 23.08.23 | 12:43

Following the European carrot, does the American stick comes now?

The scheduling of the Parliamentary session dedicated to the constitutional amendments increased the pressure on VMRO-DPMNE to accept the amendments. Most exposed are the MPs, but also the leadership of the party. Previously, at the meetings with all relevant ambassadors, the representatives of the government...

Macedonia 22.08.23 | 19:35

Kovacevski promises great economic results and no new Bulgarian demands during the EU accession process

Speaking with the state owned MIA news agency from Athens, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski repeated his position that the eventual EU membership will be worth all concessions that Macedonia is forced to make – this time toward Bulgaria. If we look at the economic effects of the NATO membership,...

Macedonia 19.08.23 | 14:36

SDSM: The pro-European coalition will do everything in its power to break this blockade

The pro-European coalition will not succumb to irresponsible and unstatesmanlike behaviour and will do the utmost to remove the blockade on the country’s European integration path. Our future is integration, not isolation, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said at Friday’s press conference. Kovachevski...

Macedonia 30.07.23 | 18:14

Italian diplomat Stefanini: Macedonia should take advantage of the renewed interest in EU enlargement

Italian diplomat and military consultant Stefano Sefanini urged Macedonia to amend its Constitution in line with the Bulgarian demands, in order to take advantage of the alleged current impetus to speed up EU integration. In an interview with the MIA state news agency, Stefanini says that after the war...

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