From September 23 to 25, 2024 the German Council on Foreign Relations, Jacques Delors Institute, Clingendael Institute, and Carnegie Europe supported by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans and Open Society Foundation Sofia embarked on a fact-finding mission to North Macedonia.
The primary objective was to evaluate the current political landscape following the recent parliamentary and presidential elections, while also exploring pathways to expedite the country’s EU accession process.
Hosted by the Institute for Democracy, the delegation engaged with a diverse array of stakeholders, including high-level current and former officials, ambassadors from the European Union, Germany, the Netherlands, and France, as well as political officers from the U.S. Еmbassy in Skopje. They also met with representatives from civil society organizations and local think tanks, enriching their understanding of the broader societal context.
This mission provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities facing North Macedonia at this pivotal juncture. Through these meetings, the think tanks gathered valuable insights that will inform a joint policy memo, outlining recommendations for stakeholders both within the country and across the EU. This collaborative effort aims to enhance understanding of North Macedonia’s political dynamics and support the nation’s aspirations for EU integration, ensuring that both governmental and civil society perspectives are considered in the ongoing dialogue.
