In the area of the environment, North Macedonia reported limited progress in aligning its environmental policies with EU standards in areas such as air and water quality, waste management, nature protection, and environmental impact assessment. The Commission stressed the need for the government to adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-economy approach to prioritise environmental integration at all levels.

On Civil Protection, despite being connected to Trans-European Services for Telematics between Administrations (TESTA), North Macedonia has not yet integrated with the Common Emergency Communication and Information System (CECIS) system due to COVID-19 disruptions and IT staff shortages. While the country activated the Union Civil Protection Mechanism for forest fires and announced plans to reform its civil protection system, concrete actions remain pending. Delays in maintenance contracts for the 112 emergency number and a lack of funding further jeopardize the system’s functionality.

Concerning Regional Policy challenges persist in administrative capacity for managing EU funds, with staffing shortages, delays in training, and a lack of permanent leadership in key positions. The Commission highlighted the need for better coordination, stronger local governance, and more effective decentralisation to enhance the impact of regional policies. It urged North Macedonia to move beyond project-level assessments and measure the broader effects of its regional development efforts while incorporating urban and territorial dimensions.

With respect on Climate Action, North Macedonia faces delays in critical areas, including adopting the Climate Action Law and implementing monitoring, reporting, verification, and accreditation (MRVA) frameworks. Updates to the National Energy and Climate Plan are underway, but further alignment with the EU climate acquis and progress on the National Adaptation Plan are urgently needed. The Commission underscored the importance of swift and comprehensive action to meet deadlines.

On Energy, while North Macedonia is advancing decarbonization and renewable energy projects, significant gaps remain in aligning with EU energy directives, including the Electricity Integration Package and Energy Efficiency Directive. The creation of a new Ministry of Energy was welcomed, but challenges persist in boosting investments for the green transition and updating strategic energy documents. The Commission flagged delays in the Investment Plan for Coal Transition as an area requiring immediate attention.

Finally on transport, limited progress was noted on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and transport policy reforms. North Macedonia’s inclusion in the Western Balkans Eastern Mediterranean Corridor (WBEM) was welcomed, but substantial efforts are still required to maintain infrastructure, address alternative fuel needs, and improve road and rail safety. The Commission emphasised the importance of accelerating rail Corridor VIII development and Corridor X to position North Macedonia as a regional transport hub. Opening the rail market and aligning with EU interoperability standards remain critical issues, as does further development of multimodal transport and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP).

In conclusion to the meeting, the EU urged North Macedonia to enhance its political commitment, strengthen institutional capacity, and implement the necessary reforms to meet EU standards across these sectors.