Commissioner Kos visits North Macedonia to discuss the country's EU accession path and reform efforts
Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited North Macedonia on 8 July 2026 to discuss the country's EU accession path and reform efforts. To date, North Macedonia has received €142.1 million under the Reform and Growth Facility following progress in delivering key reforms.
The Commissioner met with Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs Bekim Sali to discuss progress in implementing the Reform Agenda, priorities for gradual integration into the EU, and broader developments linked to the country's EU path, and had a joint press conference with the PM.
“North Macedonia has shown it can deliver decisively and in time. In Skopje, I met Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski to discuss the country’s strong performance under the Reform Agenda and encourage further progress. The same determination is now needed to advance on its accession track. By implementing its commitments, North Macedonia can build trust with our Member States and give a push to its EU path”, Kos wrote on social media.
While there, Kos visited a student dormitory in Skopje, refurbished with EU funding through the Western Balkans Investment Framework to provide modern, energy-efficient housing for more than 1,000 students. According to the estimates, the project will result in reduced energy consumption of more than 40% and will save approximately 2,400 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The works are implemented by the German Development Bank, KfW, through the Regional Energy Efficiency programme.
The Commissioner discussed with youth organisations the opportunities that closer integration with the EU offers young people, including through programmes such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
She also met the President of the Assembly Afrim Gashi to discuss the importance of constructive political dialogue and broad cross-party support for EU-related reforms.
The Commissioner wrapped up her visit with a meeting with representatives of civil society organisations and the media to discuss the implementation of key EU-related reforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law.
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About REEP
Launched in 2013 under the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) supports renewable energy and energy efficiency investments across the region. With over €1 billion mobilised to date, it has refurbished more than 90 public buildings, supported 1,500 SMEs and 20,000 households. The achieved annual CO₂ emissions saved is equivalent to removing 183,000+ cars from the roads.
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About WBIF and Global Gateway
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) contributes directly to Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy to boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport, while strengthening health, education and research systems worldwide. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion worldwide in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU, its Member States and financial institutions to leverage investments for a transformational impact.