Skopje – ESI at closed workshop on North Macedonia’s EU accession

Adnan joined expert discussions. Photo: ESI

ESI senior analyst Adnan Ćerimagić took part in a closed brainstorming workshop titled “North Macedonia’s EU Accession: Searching for a Breakthrough”, held on 5 and 6 December 2025 in Skopje, North Macedonia. It was organised by the Balkans Policy Research Group (BPRC).

The meeting brought together senior regional experts, former officials, and analysts to assess the prolonged stalemate in North Macedonia’s accession process and explore options for progress. The discussions focused on mapping the current state of play, identifying political and institutional obstacles, and examining possible options to unlock negotiations.

Adnan contributed impulse remarks during sessions on the revitalisation of EU enlargement and on the domestic and regional dimensions blocking North Macedonia’s EU path, alongside experts from North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and EU-focused research institutes.

• ESI proposal: “Preventing violence – transform Kosovo dialogue”
• ESI background: “Scoreboard - The true state of accession - What the Commission assessments reveal”
• ESI proposal: “End the turtle race How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process”
• ESI proposal: “Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal”
• ESI proposal: “47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe”
• ESI proposal: “Abandon clichés about Bosnia: Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions”
• ESI proposal: “No partition: Why Kosovo and Serbia must not discuss territory”
• ESI report: “Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans: Measure corruption in order to fight it”