North Macedonia
North Macedonia applied for EU membership in March 2004 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2005. The EU held its first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia in July 2022.
Enlargement
EU membership application
North Macedonia's application for EU membership was submitted on 22 March 2004.
On 9 November 2005, the Commission issued an opinion on the application from North Macedonia for membership of the European Union, and recommended that North Macedonia be granted the status of candidate country.
North Macedonia was granted EU candidate status in December 2005.
- Opinion on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's application for membership of the EU (EUR-Lex)
- European Council conclusions, 15-16 December 2005
On 18 February 2008, the Council adopted the revised Accession Partnership with North Macedonia, which identified new and remaining priorities for action, adapted to the country's specific needs and stage of preparation.
Accession negotiations
The European Commission first recommended opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia in October 2009. In 2015 and 2016, the recommendation was made conditional on substantial progress in the implementation of the ‘Urgent Reform Priorities’ and the continued implementation of the Pržino agreement, a political agreement in which the main parties in North Macedonia made a commitment to respect democratic principles and agreed to establish a transitional period that would end in free and fair elections.
The Council adopted conclusions in June 2018 in which it agreed to respond positively to the progress made by North Macedonia, and set out the path towards opening accession negotiations in June 2019. The Council underlined the critical need for North Macedonia to continue making concrete progress on certain key areas, such as the fight against corruption, judicial reform, intelligence and security services reform and public administration reform.
- Council conclusions on enlargement and stabilisation and association process, 26 June 2018
- General Affairs Council, 26 June 2018
On 24 March 2020, ministers for European affairs gave their political agreement to the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. This was formally adopted by written procedure and endorsed by members of the European Council on 26 March 2020.
Accession conference meetings
Accession negotiations take place at intergovernmental conferences (often called an ‘accession conference’) between ministers and ambassadors of the EU member states and the candidate. Negotiations cover the body of common rights and law (the ‘EU acquis’) and are divided into different chapters, or clusters of chapters, covering different policy fields. Accession conferences can be held at either ministerial or deputy level.
On 19 July 2022, the EU held its first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia.
Stabilisation and association process
All Western Balkan partners have a 'stabilisation and association agreement', which sets the overall framework for their relationship with the EU. It runs in parallel to and is supportive of EU accession negotiations.
North Macedonia's stabilisation and association agreement has been ratified, and it entered into force on 1 April 2004.
EU-North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council
To review the progress of EU-North Macedonia relations under the stabilisation and association process, representatives from the EU and North Macedonia meet in the EU-Republic of North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council.
As of March 2023, there have been 16 Stabilisation and Association Council meetings between the EU and North Macedonia. At the latest meeting, which was held on 17 March 2023 in Skopje, participants discussed relations between the EU and North Macedonia and took stock of progress in the accession strategy, including the political, economic and EU-law criteria for EU membership.
Annual progress review
Every year, the Council takes stock of progress made in each of the EU candidates and partners, including North Macedonia, on their European path.
On 16 December 2025, the Danish Council presidency issued conclusions that were politically supported by 26 of the EU member states.
Border management cooperation
To manage migratory flows, counter illegal immigration and tackle cross-border crime, the EU and North Macedonia have concluded an agreement on broader cooperation on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The agreement allows Frontex and North Macedonia to conduct joint operations and for Frontex staff to carry out border checks and register persons.
The agreement with North Macedonia entered into force on 1 April 2023.
European Peace Facility
Under the European Peace Facility, an instrument aimed at preventing conflict and strengthening international security, the EU has adopted assistance measures to support North Macedonia’s army. The measures will also help to strengthen North Macedonia’s capacities to participate in EU security and defence operations and reflect the country's full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy.
Since 2023, the EU has allocated €38 million through the European Peace Facility to support the modernisation of the army. In June 2022, the Council also adopted an assistance measure in support of the Balkan medical task force, which included procuring the necessary equipment and material for the medical units of North Macedonia’s armed forces.
- European Peace Facility: Council adopts the third bilateral assistance measure in support of the army of the Republic of North Macedonia (press release, 25 April 2025)
- European peace facility: Council adopts assistance measure in support of the Balkan medical task force (press release, 10 June 2022)
Last review: 16 December 2025