AGP Executive Report

Mobile Market: North Macedonia had 1.98 million active mobile connections in Q2 2026, up slightly from the previous quarter. The market included 1.67 million mobile broadband users and nearly 357,200 machine-to-machine SIMs. Jobs and Skills: The new 2026–2030 programme with the International Labour Organization targets better working conditions, stronger labour institutions and skills development, amid labour shortages, emigration and low workforce participation among women and young people. Regional Growth: The World Bank expects Western Balkans growth to reach 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027–28, while warning that trade costs and domestic regulations could hold back exports and job creation. Cross-Border Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria has nearly doubled in 15 years, while work on the Corridor VIII railway tunnel is cited as a boost to regional connectivity.

Mobile Market: North Macedonia had 1.98 million active mobile connections in Q2 2026, up from 1.97 million in the previous quarter. The market included 1.67 million mobile broadband users and nearly 357,000 machine-to-machine SIMs; A1 Makedonija held a 46.95% share. Jobs and Skills: North Macedonia and the ILO signed a 2026–2030 programme to improve job quality, workers’ rights and business development. It targets labour shortages, skills gaps, informal work and low participation among women and young people. Regional Outlook: Western Balkans growth is forecast to rise to 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027–28, the World Bank says. But cutting regulatory costs and trade barriers will be key to helping businesses compete, expand exports and create better jobs.

Green Investment: North Macedonia is among nine countries sharing $4.5 million in new Kunming Biodiversity Fund conservation projects, though no country-level allocation was announced. Jobs and Skills: The ILO and North Macedonia launched a 2026–2030 decent-work programme targeting labour shortages, emigration, skills mismatches and low productivity while supporting sustainable enterprises. EU Market Access: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said constitutional amendments remain necessary to advance accession talks. Officials also discussed reforms and gradual integration into the EU single market, a potential source of new opportunities for businesses. Cross-border Trade: Bulgaria’s new ambassador and officials highlighted progress on the Corridor VIII railway tunnel and closer cooperation in trade, tourism and infrastructure. Trade between the two countries has nearly doubled over 15 years.

Green Investment: North Macedonia is among nine countries set to host conservation projects backed by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, which approved about $4.5 million in funding overall. Labor Mobility: From January 2027, North Macedonian citizens will be eligible for Denmark’s new work-permit route for jobs covered by collective agreements, with a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000. EU Integration: Brussels is urging constitutional amendments to unblock accession progress; officials say closer research and innovation ties and gradual access to the EU single market could create opportunities for businesses. Trade: North Macedonia–Bulgaria trade reached €1.317 billion in 2025, up from about €712 million in 2011. The Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, now with more than 80 members, marked its 15th anniversary in Skopje.

Film Industry: Milcho Manchevski’s new feature is screening in Tokyo, renewing attention to his allegations of corruption at North Macedonia’s Film Agency, which he says previously blocked his projects. Jobs Abroad: North Macedonian citizens are among 16 nationalities eligible for Denmark’s new work-permit scheme from January 2027, with a minimum annual salary of DKK 322,000. Trade: Bulgaria–North Macedonia trade rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025, figures highlighted as the two countries’ chamber of commerce marked its 15th anniversary. EU Integration: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged North Macedonia to amend its Constitution to advance EU accession, while the country joined a new EU–Western Balkans research and innovation cooperation plan. Energy: Greece says gas-export capacity could reach 9.5 billion cubic metres a year once its interconnector with North Macedonia is completed.

Labour Mobility: North Macedonian citizens are among 16 nationalities eligible for Denmark’s new work-permit scheme from January 2027. It sets a DKK 322,000 minimum annual salary for jobs covered by collective agreements, and requires employers to be certified. EU Integration: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos says constitutional amendments are needed for North Macedonia to advance toward EU membership. Officials also discussed reforms and gradual access to the EU single market, programmes and policies. Cross-Border Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025, the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce reported at its 15th-anniversary event in Skopje. Energy Links: Greece says its gas export capacity could rise to 9.5 billion cubic metres a year once the Greece–North Macedonia interconnector is completed.

EU Accession: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged North Macedonia to adopt constitutional amendments, saying this would clear the way for accession to advance. European Affairs Minister Bekim Sali said closer integration should bring practical opportunities for citizens and businesses, including gradual access to the EU single market. Research and Innovation: The EU and six Western Balkan partners, including North Macedonia, agreed to deepen cooperation on research careers and innovation ecosystems, with a joint action plan in preparation. Cross-Border Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria reached €1.317 billion in 2025, up from about €712 million in 2011. The Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, which has more than 80 members, marked its 15th anniversary in Skopje.

EU Integration: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged North Macedonia to amend its Constitution, saying the step would allow accession talks to advance without further political decisions. European Affairs Minister Bekim Sali said closer EU integration should bring practical opportunities for citizens and businesses, including gradual access to the single market. Railway Investment: The transport minister says procedures worth more than €350 million at the railway infrastructure company have been terminated following an audit. Bulgaria Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria reached €1.317 billion in 2025, up from about €712 million in 2011. The Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, marking its 15th anniversary in Skopje, says it now connects more than 80 members.

EU Accession: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged North Macedonia to amend its Constitution, calling it the key step to advance accession. European Affairs Minister Bekim Sali said reforms and gradual access to the EU single market should create tangible opportunities for citizens and businesses. Regional Trade: Trade with Bulgaria reached €1.317 billion in 2025, up from €712 million in 2011, as the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce marked 15 years of promoting cross-border business. Innovation: The EU and six Western Balkan partners, including North Macedonia, agreed to deepen research and innovation ties, support business innovation ecosystems and prepare a joint action plan.

EU Integration: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged North Macedonia to amend its Constitution, calling it the key step to advance accession. European Affairs Minister Bekim Sali said reforms and closer access to the EU market should create practical opportunities for citizens and businesses. Research and Innovation: The EU and six Western Balkan partners agreed to deepen research cooperation, strengthen innovation ecosystems and prepare a joint action plan, opening potential opportunities for regional businesses and young innovators. Cross-Border Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025, figures highlighted as the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce marked its 15th anniversary in Skopje.

EU Integration: Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos urged North Macedonia to adopt constitutional amendments, calling them the key step to move its EU accession process forward. Officials also discussed reforms and gradual access to the EU single market, which the government says could create opportunities for businesses. Trade: Trade with Bulgaria rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025, as the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce marked 15 years of promoting cross-border business ties. Research and Innovation: North Macedonia joined a new EU–Western Balkans commitment to strengthen research careers and innovation ecosystems, with a joint action plan in preparation.

EU Integration: European Commissioner Marta Kos said North Macedonia must adopt constitutional amendments to advance its EU accession process. EU leaders also plan to press Western Balkan governments for faster reforms and discuss closer access to the bloc’s market before membership. Cross-Border Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025. The Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, now with more than 80 members, marked its 15th anniversary in Skopje. Rail Investment: North Macedonia’s transport minister said procedures worth more than €350 million at the railway infrastructure company were terminated following an audit, putting major infrastructure work under review.

EU Accession: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed faster EU entry for the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia, while urging governments to deliver reforms. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski again blamed Bulgaria’s dispute over constitutional amendments for blocking the country’s progress. Trade Links: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025, as the Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce marked its 15th anniversary in Skopje with more than 80 members. Regional Connectivity: North Macedonia has put its railway link to Bulgaria out to tender, a step toward improving cross-border transport and trade.

EU Accession: At the Berlin Process summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz backed faster Western Balkan membership but urged reforms. North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski again blamed the country’s stalled path on its dispute with Bulgaria. Cross-border Trade: Trade between North Macedonia and Bulgaria rose from about €712 million in 2011 to €1.317 billion in 2025, nearly doubling. The Macedonian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce, now with more than 80 members, marked its 15th anniversary in Skopje. Rail Links: North Macedonia has put its railway link to Bulgaria out to tender, a step toward stronger regional transport connections. Tourism & Local Business: Construction is underway on Greece’s side of a new Prespa border crossing, backed by a €7.5 million cross-border project. Local businesses hope the route will bring more visitors and commercial opportunities.

Regional Trade: Albania’s exports to five Balkan neighbours rose 11.1% to 52.5 billion lek in the first nine months of 2026, while imports fell 6.8%. Albania still ran trade deficits with North Macedonia and Serbia, but both narrowed. Energy Links: A proposed gas pipeline through North Macedonia could connect Serbia to Greece’s LNG supply. Serbia and the US have agreed to accelerate implementation, though the route remains a plan. Transport: North Macedonia has put its railway link to Bulgaria out to tender, a step towards stronger cross-border connections. Tourism and Trade: Work is underway on Greece’s side of a new Prespa border crossing, part of a €7.5 million project funded through the Greece–North Macedonia Interreg programme. Local businesses hope the crossing will bring more visitors and commercial opportunities.

Energy Links: Plans to accelerate a gas pipeline through North Macedonia could connect Serbia with Greece’s LNG terminal, opening a route for American gas and adding competition to Russian supplies. Rail and Trade: North Macedonia has put its railway link to Bulgaria out to tender, a step toward improving cross-border transport. Prespa Development: A €7.5 million Greece–North Macedonia project is building a new border crossing, with local businesses hoping easier access will boost tourism and trade. EU Funding: North Macedonia is among the countries covered by 135 new LIFE environment and climate projects receiving more than €390 million in EU grants.