Written by Juanita Galea
The sun, too, is a star.
North Macedonia’s ostentatious yet elegant motto for its campaign to enter into the European Union truly reflects the aspirations of the former Yugoslav republic. The question of what will arise from the Balkan country’s aspirations have definitely gained international attention.
North Macedonia’s accession to the EU has been part of the contemporary agenda for future enlargement of the European Union since 2005, with negotiations expected to start on the 15th of October 2019. Yet, these negotiations were immediately halted, due to disagreements among the various European Union member states, most significantly France.
North Macedonia, or as it was then known, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, originally submitted its membership application in the same year that Malta became an official EU member— in 2004, 13 years after it gained independence from Yugoslavia.
North Macedonia is currently one of five countries that are currently EU candidates for accession, the others being Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.
The dispute between Greece and Macedonia
It is significant to note that Macedonia was the first non-EU country in the Balkans to form a part of the Stabilisation and Association Process in 2001. In 2004, the Macedonian government adopted a national strategy for EU integration, supported by the country’s parliament through its commission for European issues.
Therefore, as early as 2004, we can see a Macedonia which is working to strive for closer ties and links with the Western European bloc. At this point in time, Macedonian accession into the European Union was blocked by Greece, who exerted her veto power (which could be used in the case of new accessions), mainly due to the naming dispute. While the country preferred to be called by its constitutional name— the Republic of Macedonia, Greece felt that this was a threat to its territories in the northern province of Macedonia.
Yet, on the 12th of June of 2018, the Prespa Agreement was signed between the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart— Zarev Zaev. Through this agreement, there was mutual consensus that this country (Macedonia) should be renamed as the “Republic of North Macedonia”.
As a result of this deal, Greece withdrew its previous position of total opposition, paving the way for accession talks with the EU to begin. Economically, North Macedonia is currently receiving €1.3 billion in development aid till 2020, through the pre-accession assistance instrument. It is also interesting to note that the Albanians of North Macedonia are traditionally strongly pro-EU.
Donald Tusk’s tweet after the bloc summit
European Union leaders have as of yet failed to initiate membership negotiations with both North Macedonia, as well as Albania, with Brexit and other issues taking over the main headlines instead. France had been at the forefront of objections for the accession of both these countries, together with the Netherlands and Denmark.
In a tweet at the time, Donald Tusk (who has been the President of the European Council since 2014) shared his solidarity with the people of Albania and of North Macedonia, after the failure of the decision taken at the bloc summit.
“Don’t give up! You did your share and we didn’t. But I have absolutely no doubt that you will become full members of the EU.”
Donald Tusk
Mr. Tusk’s words seem to be ringing true, as Mr. Oliver Varhelyi, the EU Commissioner in charge of enlargement announced that membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania could re-start within weeks amid good progress made by the two Balkan countries in their preparations.
Is Macedonia meeting European norms?
France’s main argument for being so staunchly against Albanian and North Macedonian accession is due to its politicians believing that the accession process itself is in dire need of reform, and therefore in their opinion, the two countries should wait until after such reforms have been discussed and eventually implemented.
The European Commission did take into consideration these arguments and earlier this February, proposed reforms to the enlargement process which would give more of a voice to EU governments and would make it easier to freeze funds and to stop or reset negotiations. Subsequently, France and the Netherlands both indicated that enlargement negotiations could start if the Commission gave North Macedonia and Albania gave both countries a positive review.
According to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, “enormous efforts to meet European norms” have taken place in both countries. This, together with the publication of the Commission’s report this week raises hopes for North Macedonia to finally become a member of the EU.
What is in store for the EU and Macedonia?
North Macedonia has on numerous occasions shown the extent of its commitment towards the process of accession into the European Union. When one looks at all the steps forward it has made to build sincere relationships with the EU, one sees the actions of a country which merits being taken seriously.
Pro-EU sentiment within the Balkans should be received positively. It is unacceptable that North Macedonia, a state which even compromised on its own name to be given a chance towards EU membership, had the rug swept from under its feet. North Macedonia would not only expand the European Union’s borders, but it also has a lot to bring to the table in terms of industry as well as culture.
North Macedonian accession into the EU shouldn’t be seen with hostile eyes, but rather it should be seen as an opportunity to further increase stability and influence, with closer connections to eastern Europe. With the European Commission lauding North Macedonia’s progress, it is expected that a start date for accession negotiation is to be announced in the coming weeks, finally formally starting the process towards North Macedonia’s much-deserved membership.
