Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel is adamant that Sofia will support Skopje’s EU path if the assumed obligations are fulfilled. Despite not saying directly whether there will be decoupling of North Macedonia and Albania if there are no constitutional changes in Skopje, Gabriel points out that there are two other obligations as well. “We’re talking also about the compromise of ...

On Monday, two protests were held in front of the Government building in Skopje. The first concerned the Oncology Clinic case, while the second was organised by law students and was against the Criminal Code changes that are already in force. Both groups called for authorities to be held to account. “I came here to express support for my wife, ...

The Health Ministry has several investigations into potential abuse of patient rights at multiple health institutions. With gathered evidence, the cases will be sent to the Prosecutor’s Office. The focus is on the My Appointment system. Allegedly, patients would pay money to surgeons so that they schedule surgeries for which there was no opening through a referral letter. Minister Mexhiti ...

In an interview with the Triling show on 24 TV, President Stevo Pendarovski revealed he had been consulted over a possibility to pardon ex-PM Nikola Gruevski. He is adamant he wouldn’t do it. “At an informal level, seven, eight months ago, some actors from the political scene consulted me over that possibility, over what I think about that possibility. I ...

At the Skopje Economic and Finance Forum, on Friday, PM Dimitar Kovacevski stated that North Macedonia belonged in the EU, where the best and most developed ones were. As he added, the EU is open to swift integration. Regarding the changes to laws, the PM said they were done quickly in order for there to be alignment with the EU ...

In an interview, Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski, regarding the constitutional changes process, says that PM Dimitar Kovacevski is talking to VMRO-DPMNE MPs, but also with some parliamentarians from the ruling coalition, to change their mind in the name of EU integration. His stand is that there aren’t and there mustn’t be indecent offers. When it comes to President Stevo Pendarovski, ...

The Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday that three Russian diplomats in North Macedonia had been declared personae non gratae. On 12 September, the Russian Ambassador in Skopje was summoned to the Ministry and was handed a diplomatic note informing him of the decision about the three diplomats from the Russian Embassy. According to the Foreign Ministry, the decision follows information ...

During the visit to the US, at the Embassy in Washington, Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska delivered an address at the formal reception marking Independence Day, 8 September, and Army Day, 18 August. She thanked the US for the support for developing democracy and solidifying peace. “In the early 90s, my country faced a big challenge. Declaring independence in peace by ...

The draft-decision to form the committee of inquiry to look into the Oncology Clinic case is expected to be on the agenda of a plenary session next week. The body will determine political accountability of Government and health officials and the chronology of events. It will also check whether there was a violation of provisions of the Constitution and laws. ...

The reactions to the Criminal Code changes have continued. On Thursday, the Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador David Geer, reiterated the stand of the European Commission, which had expressed concern. Dutch Ambassador Dirk Jan Kop joined the stand. As he added, the Dutch Embassy is following very closely the latest developments in relation to the changes. However, the previous ...