Strasbourg – The European Parliament today endorsed the report by Austrian MEP Thomas Weiss regarding the country for 2023 and 2024, with the voting results showing 461 in favor, 121 against, and 107 abstentions.
In a statement following the vote, Weiss highlighted that the country stands out as a regional leader, reflecting a genuine commitment to EU principles, including the significant name change and ambitious reforms.
– Nevertheless, its accession has been unfairly stalled for an extended period due to bilateral conflicts, leading to public frustration and disillusionment with the EU, Weiss remarked.
He emphasized that the report stresses that enlargement must follow a merit-based approach, adhering to the Copenhagen criteria, and urges the country to carry out the necessary reforms.
– I call on all political parties in North Macedonia to engage in constructive dialogue to reach the required consensus, which would enhance the multiethnic fabric of the country and speed up EU progress, Weiss stated.
He pointed out that, as the EU rapporteur for the country, he has worked diligently to create a “well-balanced and impartial report on this country’s democratic advancement.”
– Unfortunately, some Bulgarian MEPs have leveraged the report for domestic political purposes, Weiss added.
Prior to the vote on the report, amendments put forth by MEPs Andrzej Halicki representing the European People’s Party (EPP), Ketlin Van Brempt from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and Dan Barna from the liberal group “Renew Europe” (RE) were accepted, which excluded references to “Macedonian language and identity” from the text of the report. (July 9, 2025)
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