Three reports adopted in the European Parliament highlight the urgent need for EU-related reforms. MEPs praise Albania’s steadfast commitment to the EU and urge it to fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law. They call for reform and unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina to tackle corruption and division, whilst North Macedonia is encouraged to continue its efforts on the EU path despite political challenges and public frustration.
MEPs highlight Albania’s broad political consensus and strong public support for joining the EU, alongside full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy. While welcoming Albania’s aim to complete accession talks by 2027 and the progress already made, MEPs stress the urgent need to intensify reforms. Key priorities include strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption and organised crime, and protecting fundamental rights. Enhancing media pluralism and transparency remains crucial to build public trust, say MEPs.
The report notes ongoing political polarisation marked by confrontational rhetoric and calls for more constructive and inclusive political dialogue. It also urges authorities to continue their efforts to safeguard judicial independence and increase accountability.
The European Parliament reaffirms its strong support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) EU accession bid, emphasising a merit-based process aligned with the Copenhagen criteria and grounded in the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Welcoming the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with BiH amid the changing geopolitical landscape following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, MEPs acknowledge key reforms but express concern over stalled progress and weak implementation.
The report calls for implementation of the necessary constitutional and electoral reforms, and for efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, and to fight corruption and organised crime. MEPs strongly condemn divisive rhetoric and secessionist policies, particularly those promoted by Milorad Dodik and the Republika Srpska leadership.
The report underlines that enlargement should be a merit-based process and calls on North Macedonia to enact the necessary reforms including constitutional changes. MEPs welcome the new €750 million Reform and Growth Facility, commending North Macedonia’s ambitious agenda. They urge it to adopt a strong focus on reform implementation, particularly in public administration, governance, the rule of law, and anti-corruption policy.
The European Parliament is deeply concerned that North Macedonia and other EU accession countries in the Western Balkans are being particularly hard hit by foreign interference and disinformation campaigns. It is also alarmed by the roles of the Hungarian government and the Serbian government in advancing China’s and Russia’s geopolitical objectives.
