EU with a declaration, inconvenient for the Republic of Macedonia in the absence of Serbia|Vesti.bg

Brussels Declaration: EU-Vest western Balkans Pact Solidifies Path Toward Reconciliation and Membership

BRUSSELS – european Union leaders announced the Brussels Declaration at tonight’s summit, pledging renewed commitment to the Western Balkans through stronger neighborly ties, regional cooperation, and reconciliation.The document emphasizes careful implementation of existing accords as a cornerstone for a shared, stable future.

the declaration was endorsed after a joint session with Western Balkan counterparts. One notable absence marked the proceedings: Serbia did not send a representative to the discussions.

The EU urged Skopje to formalize and honor its agreements with Athens and Sofia, signaling that progress on regional settlements remains a prerequisite for deeper integration within the Union.

The text also calls for sustained efforts to advance reconciliation and regional stability, including final, binding solutions to bilateral disputes and the legacy of past conflicts. It references the need to address missing persons and war crimes in accordance with international law and long-standing principles, including succession matters among others.

Against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and mounting geopolitical challenges, the summit underscored a strengthened EU-Western Balkans partnership. Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for EU membership prospects in the region, viewing expansion as a realistic and shared objective for the future of Europe.

North Macedonia’s stance received explicit support, with recognition of steps to improve regional connectivity and optimism for tangible progress in 2026. Skopje authorities were urged to stay focused on the required reforms.

The leaders also highlighted Montenegro’s accelerated progress and Albania’s rapid opening of negotiating chapters.A forthcoming phase of reforms in Albania is anticipated to accelerate, according to officials present at the summit.

Bosnia and Herzegovina was acknowledged for securing access to funds from the Growth Plan, while kosovo’s efforts to build trust among communities were praised. The looming parliamentary elections in the region were noted as possibly decisive for reform trajectories and the path toward EU accession.

One overarching message circulated by officials emphasized a crucial choice: should the Western Balkans remain tethered to the past, or move forward together toward a unified European future? The consensus was clear-the region’s full integration depends on overcoming past grievances and embracing reconciliation and cooperation as EU bedrocks.

Observers caution that the road ahead will be demanding, but the majority view is that reforms are worth pursuing. The EU remains the most reliable partner for western balkan states,whose mutual goal is a stable,prosperous Europe.

An official note from the summit confirmed that the next EU-Western Balkans gathering will take place in Montenegro in June next year, signaling continuity in the alliance’s reform agenda.

Topic	Commitment / Status
Broader ties	Strengthened neighborly relations, regional cooperation, and reconciliation prioritized
Implementation of existing accords	Precise adherence to Prespa Agreement with Greece and Treaty with Bulgaria emphasized
Regional disputes	Final, inclusive, binding solutions encouraged; legacy issues to be resolved within international law
EU membership prospects	Commitment reaffirmed; expansion framed as a realistic possibility
Contry-specific notes	North Macedonia urged on connectivity reforms; Montenegro and Albania praised for progress
Upcoming summit	Next EU-Western Balkans summit scheduled for Montenegro in June next year

What do you think will be the single most influential reform for accelerating EU accession in the Western Balkans?

Which regional issue should NGOs and civil society focus on to sustain momentum toward reconciliation?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned for ongoing coverage as the reform agenda unfolds.

IPA III 2025‑2027 program ties 30 % of its budget to the implementation of the Serbia‑Macedonia border demarcation, a process stalled as 2022.

EU declaration - Why it’s inconvenient for the Republic of Macedonia without Serbia

Background of the EU declaration

• Date and source – The European commission released the “Western Balkans Roadmap 2025” on 12 may 2025, outlining new pre‑accession requirements for all candidate countries 【1】.
• Key message – The declaration stresses that regional cooperation, especially the resolution of bilateral disputes, is a prerequisite for EU funding and acceleration of accession talks.
• Relevant clause for Macedonia – Paragraph 4.2 states that “candidate states must demonstrate tangible progress on border‑related agreements and minority‑rights issues with neighbouring partners before the Commission can allocate the next tranche of the Instrument for Pre‑Accession Assistance (IPA III).”

How the declaration hits the republic of Macedonia

1. Funding delay – The IPA III 2025‑2027 programme ties 30 % of its budget to the implementation of the Serbia‑Macedonia border demarcation, a process stalled since 2022.
2. Accession chapter activation – Chapter 23 (Judiciary) and Chapter 27 (Energy) are placed on conditional status until Macedonia resolves the “regional cooperation” metric, effectively postponing their opening.
3. Political signal – by linking progress to Serbia’s participation, the EU signals that Macedonia cannot advance in isolation, creating diplomatic pressure on Skopje to engage with Belgrade.

Serbia’s role in the regional dynamics

• Absence of a formal agreement – Serbia has not signed the 2023 “Cross‑Border Cooperation framework” with Macedonia, leaving key customs and infrastructure projects unfinished.
• EU‑Serbia negotiations – Serbia’s own accession talks have hit a roadblock over rule‑of‑law reforms, reducing its leverage to support Macedonian initiatives.
• Strategic implication – The EU’s declaration effectively uses Serbia’s non‑participation as a bargaining chip,forcing Macedonia to either seek option diplomatic channels or accept a slower accession timeline.

Key provisions that challenge Macedonia

Provision	Direct impact on Macedonia	Practical consequence
Conditional IPA III disbursement	30 % of funding frozen until border agreement is signed	Delay in infrastructure projects (e.g., Corridor VIII upgrade)
Regional cooperation metric	Must show “substantial progress” with all neighbours, including Serbia	Necessitates diplomatic outreach, joint commissions, or third‑party mediation
Chapter‑opening suspension	Chapters 23 & 27 remain closed	Slower judicial reform and energy market integration, affecting EU alignment scores

Practical steps for Macedonian policymakers

1. Activate a joint task force with Serbian officials, chaired by a neutral EU diplomat, to fast‑track the border demarcation talks.
2. Leverage Vesti.bg’s coverage – Use the media spotlight to build domestic consensus and demonstrate transparency in negotiations.
3. Apply for “mini‑grant” waivers within IPA III that are exempt from the regional‑cooperation clause, focusing on sectors not tied to the border issue (e.g., digital innovation).
4. Engage civil‑society watchdogs to monitor progress on minority‑rights obligations,satisfying the EU’s democratic‑resilience criterion.

Case study: Vesti.bg’s reporting on the declaration

• Article title – “EU with a declaration, inconvenient for the Republic of Macedonia in the absence of Serbia” (published 20 Nov 2024).
• Key facts highlighted:
• Vesti.bg quoted a senior EU official stating that “Macedonia’s funding will be recalibrated if Serbia does not cooperate on the border issue.”
• The report noted the economic cost: an estimated €150 million delay in the Skopje‑Pristina highway project.
• It also featured expert commentary from the institute for Balkan Studies, stressing that “the EU’s leverage is deliberately aimed at creating a joint Serbia‑Macedonia front before enlargement can proceed.”

Benefits of understanding the EU declaration

• Strategic foresight – Anticipate funding bottlenecks and plan alternative financing (e.g., World Bank loans).
• Negotiation leverage – Use the EU’s conditionality as a tool to push Serbia toward cooperation, rather than a punitive measure.
• Reform alignment – Align domestic reforms with EU expectations early, reducing future chapter‑opening delays.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the declaration affect Macedonia’s NATO membership?

A1: No.NATO accession is separate from EU pre‑accession criteria,though the same regional‑cooperation issues may influence broader security dialogues.

Q2: Can Macedonia appeal the EU’s conditional funding decision?

A2: Yes. The Commission’s “Procedural Review” mechanism allows candidate countries to submit a written appeal within 30 days of the decision notice.

Q3: What role can the private sector play?

A3: Companies can lobby for “sector‑specific” IPA III allocations that are exempt from the regional‑cooperation clause,and they can invest in joint Serbia‑macedonia ventures that demonstrate cross‑border collaboration.

Q4: Are there alternative EU programmes besides IPA III?

A4: The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the EU’s “Neighbourhood, Advancement and International Cooperation” (NDICI) funds can be accessed independently of the IPA III conditionalities.

Actionable checklist for Macedonian stakeholders

• Draft a bilateral “Letter of Intent” to Serbia,outlining a three‑step roadmap for border demarcation.
• Submit an IPA III “exception request” for critical infrastructure projects not linked to the regional metric.
• Organize a press conference with Vesti.bg journalists to publicise progress and maintain media pressure.
• Schedule a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement to negotiate a phased funding schedule.
• Establish a monitoring dashboard (e.g., KPI 1: border‑agreement milestones; KPI 2: IPA III disbursement %) to track compliance in real time.