Trade Boost: Türkiye and North Macedonia met in Istanbul to push bilateral trade beyond $886m (end-2025) toward a $2bn target, with talks on modernising the free trade agreement to cover e-commerce and services and Turkish firms’ continued investment footprint. EU Path & Diplomacy: North Macedonia’s EU track remains tied to progress on the 2022 accession framework as Skopje and Sofia stressed mutual interest in defence, security, the economy and education ahead of the SEECP summit. Regional Connectivity Watch: The EU Court of Auditors warns Western Balkans TEN-T projects are unlikely to meet the 2030 deadline due to delays, weak oversight and immature approvals—an issue directly relevant for North Macedonia’s infrastructure pipeline. Energy Finance: EBRD-backed financing—an EUR 175m loan for PPC’s renewables rollout across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania—signals continued regional momentum for clean power that can shape cross-border energy markets. Investment Climate: IntelliNews reports North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly linked to EU Single Market access, after net FDI fell sharply in 2025, raising concerns about transition momentum. Business Partnerships: Vipul Organics and Omya signed an exclusive European distribution deal for pigment products, including North Macedonia, pointing to ongoing industrial supply-chain expansion. Geopolitical Risk: A joint statement by 22 countries condemned Iran-linked “lethal plotting” across Europe and beyond, adding a security layer for business planning and cross-border operations.