The European Commission confirmed that North Macedonia is ready to start negotiations for accession in the European Union. This was noted in the update report published on 2 March 2020, where it has been assessed that the country has taken significant steps to strengthen the judiciary’s independence, has improved its track record on fight against corruption and organized crime, and has made progress in regard to reform of intelligence services and public administration.
Subject of additional screening under the EC’s update report included reforms in judiciary, security sector and public administration. As regards the judiciary, the European Commission’s report notes that the country has stepped up implementation of reforms. Evidence in support of that is seen in the new Law on Public Prosecution which the EC perceives as guarantee for the rule of law and for SPO cases to be completed with enforceable court verdicts. Moreover, the European Commission notes positive reforms in the security and intelligence sector, by underling adoption of the new law and start of operation by the Operational Technical Agency (OTA) and the National Security Agency (NSA). Moreover, the report concludes there is enhanced oversight capacity with security services, but also with the Parliament in respect to oversight on the security sector. As regards public administration reforms, government activities for greater transparency are stressed, as manifested by adoption of the Transparency Strategy 2019-2021 and introduction of open databases for greater accountability, as well as digitalization efforts (e-portal) and facilitated access to services provided by institutions for citizens.
The document is published in the wake of the EU Council meetings planned for later this month at which, according to announcements, decision for start of accession negotiations with Skopje and Tirana is expected. The update reports for North Macedonia and Albania come after, in April 2018, the European Commission recommended opening of accession negotiations with both countries. In June 2018, the EU Council recognized progress made and conditioned the start of accession negotiations with further progress in certain key areas. After the Commission’s positive recommendations, in May 2019, the Council delayed its decision for June, and again for October 2019, before it decided to revisit the enlargement issue before the Zagreb Summit in May 2020.