4 arrested in North Macedonia after cocaine bust in Greece
May 10, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Four people have been arrested in North Macedonia, police said Wednesday, following cooperation with Greek authorities over a cocaine shipment seized in neighboring Greece a day earlier.
EU border agency begins deployment in North Macedonia
April 20, 2023 GMTThe European Union’s border protection agency Frontex began its official deployment in North Macedonia Thursday, extending its operations outside the bloc to a fifth country.
North Macedonia: Migrant fatally shot during border scuffle
April 19, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A migrant woman was accidentally shot and killed by police in North Macedonia during a struggle that broke out Wednesday as an officer tried to arrest a suspected smuggler, authorities said.
Minister: Spain supports North Macedonia’s bid to join EU
April 14, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Spain backs North Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union, the country's foreign minister said Friday.
José Manuel Albares Bueno announced his country's support during a West Balkan tour that began Friday as he met with his North Macedonian counterpart, Bujar Osmani, in the capital of Skopje.
Serbia: 9 migrants found among aluminum rolls in truck
March 24, 2023 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's customs authorities said Friday they discovered nine migrants hiding among aluminum rolls in a truck headed to Poland from Greece.
Customs officers on Serbia's border with North Macedonia spotted the migrants on Wednesday during a scan that showed human silhouettes in the back of the truck, a statement said.
Germany urges North Macedonia to amend charter for EU bid
March 23, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged North Macedonia’s leaders Thursday to deliver on a pledge to amend the constitution to speed up the country's path toward European Union membership.
With crowded jails, North Macedonia adopts pandemic amnesty
March 21, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s parliament has adopted a legislative amendment to pardon people facing imprisonment for violating COVID-19 safety rules.
Lawmakers late Monday voted 76-1 in favor of the amnesty which will affect more than 200 people currently facing trial as well as more than 90 people reportedly serving prison sentences.
North Macedonia: EU’s Borrell seeks progress on accession
March 17, 2023 GMTEuropean Union officials Friday said North Macedonia has made progress in a bid to join the bloc but urged political leaders to adopt a promised constitutional amendment needed to further the process.
North Macedonia: 3 migrants and suspected smuggler injured
March 12, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Three migrants and a suspected smuggler were seriously injured in North Macedonia when a car that police were pursuing overturned early Sunday, authorities said.
Police said the car was carrying 11 migrants, five from Pakistan, three from India and three from Afghanistan, when it overturned on a highway near the town of Veles.
North Macedonia seeks to stop spate of crippling bomb hoaxes
February 21, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s government on Tuesday vowed to improve its online security in response to a spate of emailed bomb hoaxes that have caused widespread disruption since mid-October.
North Macedonia honors hero also claimed by Bulgaria
February 4, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia on Saturday marked the birthday of a 19th century revolutionary amid tight security in the capital of Skopje due to fears of clashes between opposing nationalist groups from North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
Balkan neighbors vow to avoid clashes over national hero
January 30, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The interior ministers of North Macedonia and neighboring Bulgaria met Monday to discuss security arrangements ahead of weekend celebrations to honor a 19th century revolutionary viewed as a hero in both countries.
Bulgaria angry at ‘hate crimes’ in neighbor North Macedonia
January 26, 2023 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria may suspend joint projects with North Macedonia over the beating of a Macedonian citizen who identifies as Bulgarian, Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov said on Thursday.
Bulgaria, North Macedonia condemn ethnic-related violence
January 22, 2023 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The foreign ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia paid a joint visit to a hospital Sunday where a North Macedonian citizen who identifies as Bulgarian is being treated after he was severely assaulted.
North Macedonia: 4 officers arrested over convict’s escape
January 14, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia authorities said Saturday that four prison officers, including a police commander, have been arrested under suspicion of having helped a prisoner convicted of murder escape while being transferred to a hospital.
US envoy starts Kosovo focused tour in Balkans
January 11, 2023 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A senior U.S. envoy launched a tour of several Balkan nations Wednesday, a visit focused on international efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia after weeks of heightened tension.
North Macedonia: 9 police officers arrested for corruption
December 27, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The commander of the police station at one of North Macedonia's border crossings to Serbia, his deputy and seven other station staff have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes from motorists to ease their crossing, authorities said Tuesday.
North Macedonia takes emergency anti-pollution steps
December 25, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s government said it's imposing emergency measures in the country’s capital, Skopje, and three other cities in order to protect people from severely high levels of air pollution.
9 arrested in North Macedonia for migrant smuggling
December 21, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Police in North Macedonia said Wednesday they had arrested nine people, including a police officer, on suspicion of smuggling dozens of migrants through the country.
The nine, who are all Macedonian nationals and include two minors, were arrested during raids on 11 locations in the capital, Skopje.
Repeated bomb threats cause disruption in North Macedonia
December 16, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Authorities in North Macedonia evacuated 23 locations, including the country’s main airport, schools, hotels, a shopping mall and sports venues, for hours Friday after receiving what ultimately turned out to be fake bomb threats, the latest in a series of such incidents.
German president presses N Macedonia on EU-required reforms
November 29, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has urged North Macedonia to acknowledge the presence of an ethnic Bulgarian minority in the country, amid other actions required to speed up its European Union accession process.
N Macedonia, Albania boost ties amid common push to join EU
November 14, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The prime ministers of North Macedonia and Albania agreed Monday to boost their cooperation, as both Balkan neighbors work to realize their ambitions of one day joining the European Union.
North Macedonia to pardon violators of pandemic measures
November 12, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia is planning to pardon more than 1,200 people who face prison sentences because they have failed to pay fines for violating restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
N. Macedonia bans use of names linked to fascism
November 2, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s parliament adopted a law Wednesday that prevents organizations and cultural clubs from using names considered linked to fascism, a response to Bulgarian clubs with names of controversial figures opening in the country and sparking protests.
EU expanding border guard presence along busy Balkan route
October 26, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The European Union signed an agreement Wednesday with North Macedonia to deploy officers from the bloc’s border protection agency Frontex in the small Balkan country as it expands its reach into nearby non-member states.
Ethnic Bulgarian group’s name stirs anger in North Macedonia
October 7, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Left-wing supporters and nationalists in North Macedonia both voiced anger Friday at an ethnic Bulgarian association's move to name itself after a Bulgarian monarch who is deeply resented for his country's role in World War II.
Italian president backs North Macedonia’s EU membership bid
September 9, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Italian president Sergio Mattarella on Friday joined a long list of officials voicing support for North Macedonia joining the European Union together with other Western Balkan countries.
3 Balkan countries to work on averting food, energy shortage
September 2, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Anticipating a tough winter in light of the war in Ukraine, three Balkan states agreed Friday to help each other with potential food or energy shortages and have urged the European Union to include the volatile region in its support plans.
In sign of support, US bombers fly over Dubrovnik, Balkans
August 22, 2022 GMTDUBROVNIK, Croatia (AP) — A pair of U.S. Air Force B52 strategic bombers on Monday flew low over the Croatian resort of Dubrovnik and three other NATO-member states in the region as a sign of support amid the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Spain’s PM offers support for North Macedonia’s EU candidacy
July 31, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has offered North Macedonia his country’s full support for integration into the 27-nation European Union.
Sanchez held talks Sunday with North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in the capital of Skopje, ahead of the last stop on his Western Balkan tour, visiting Albania on Monday.
EU starts membership talks with Albania, North Macedonia
July 19, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union started membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia on Tuesday, a long-delayed step in the Balkan nations' paths toward EU membership that gained momentum amid the war in Ukraine.
Envoys from Bulgaria, North Macedonia meet on EU bloc talks
July 17, 2022 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The foreign ministers of Bulgaria and North Macedonia met in Sofia on Sunday to discuss the next steps of North Macedonia's path to EU membership talks, a day after the parliament in Skopje voted in support of a French proposal that should lift Bulgari's veto of North Macedonia joining the bloc.
North Macedonia parliament OKs deal; EU talks start July 19
July 16, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia has approved a French proposal that opens the way for negotiations to join the European Union and overcome Bulgarian objections.
There were 68 votes in favor of the proposal in the 120-member chamber, with the leftist coalition, which has 61 seats, getting the backing of small ethnic Albanian parties.
Von der Leyen: EU wants North Macedonia in the bloc
July 14, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia got a boost from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday for the country's hopes of eventually joining the European Union amid a dispute with Bulgaria.
EU, US urge North Macedonia to move forward on EU bid
July 9, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — European Union and U.S. leaders are urging North Macedonia’s parliament to accept a French proposal that will move the tiny Balkan country closer toward EU membership and overcome objections by Bulgaria.
EXPLAINER: What’s behind North Macedonia’s long road to EU?
July 8, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Nightly protests in North Macedonia over the past week have left dozens injured.
North Macedonia: More violence reported at protests
July 6, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Thousands marched through the capital for a fifth consecutive night Wednesday protesting a proposal aiming to break a deadlock in North Macedonia's efforts to join the European Union.
EU urges N Macedonia to back proposed deal with Bulgaria
July 5, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel urged North Macedonia on Tuesday to back a French-proposed compromise on ending a dispute with neighboring Bulgaria that's blocking the country's long-delayed European Union accession bid.
Macedonians protest French proposals over rift with Bulgaria
July 2, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Tens of thousands massed outside government offices late Saturday to protest a French proposal for solving North Macedonia's dispute with Bulgaria that is blocking the country's membership talks with the European Union.
Bulgarian lawmakers vote to unblock N Macedonia’s EU bid
June 24, 2022 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria’s parliament voted Friday to lift a veto that has long blocked European Union membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, raising fresh hopes that the bloc can now press on with its expansion plans in the Western Balkans amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Widespread strikes disrupt services in North Macedonia
June 22, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A strike by government workers in North Macedonia disrupted services Wednesday over a pay dispute between unions and the country’s center-left government fueled by high inflation.
Opposition rally demands early elections in North Macedonia
June 18, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Thousands of supporters of North Macedonia’s main opposition party gathered Saturday evening in the center of the capital Skopje to pressure the leftist government to call an election two years before the end of its term.
EU expansion drive in Balkans adds to Bulgarian PM’s woes
June 17, 2022 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — After just seven months in office, and now reduced to heading a minority government, Bulgaria’s liberal Prime Minister Kiril Petkov finds himself between a rock and a hard place over European Union enlargement amid the war in Ukraine.
Leading EU official calls bloc’s expansion a “top priority”
June 16, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel visited North Macedonia on Thursday and said efforts to start European Union membership talks with the landlocked Balkan country and neighboring Albania have become a “top priority” since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
North Macedonia: Police seize some 16,000 cannabis plants
June 14, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Police in North Macedonia uprooted thousands of cannabis plants illegally cultivated near a village, authorities said Tuesday, adding the marijuana that could have been harvested from them had a street value of about 5 million euros ($5.2 million).
Germany’s Scholz tries to unblock North Macedonia’s EU bid
June 11, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited North Macedonia and Bulgaria on Saturday in a bid to resolve the dispute between both countries that has seen European Union membership talks with both North Macedonia and Albania blocked.
North Macedonia’s fugitive ex-leader convicted anew at home
June 8, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A court in North Macedonia on Wednesday imposed a new prison sentence on the country's fugitive former prime minister Nikola Gruevski, this time a six-year term for abuse of power over the financing of his party's headquarters in the capital, Skopje.
Churches of Serbia, North Macedonia, end decades-old dispute
May 24, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The head of Serbia's Orthodox Church said Tuesday that he would recognize the full independence of the church in neighboring North Macedonia, signaling an end to a decades-old religious dispute.
Fugitive North Macedonian ex-premier gets 9-year sentence
May 21, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s fugitive former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has been handed a 9-year prison sentence for illegally ordering the 2011 demolition of a multimillion-dollar residential and business complex owned by a former political ally turned opponent.
North Macedonia: US leads exercise in NATO’s newest member
May 12, 2022 GMTKRIVOLAK, North Macedonia (AP) — U.S. troops joined forces from Britain, France, Italy and allied countries in the region Thursday in a military exercise held in NATO’s newest member, North Macedonia, aimed at displaying deployment readiness along the alliance’s eastern borders.
N Macedonia’s fugitive ex-PM convicted of party funds abuse
April 21, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A court in North Macedonia on Thursday convicted the country's fugitive former prime minister, Nikola Gruevski, of using his conservative party's funds to enrich himself and sentenced him in absentia to seven years in prison.
Albania may go it alone in bid to launch EU membership talks
April 7, 2022 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's prime minister said Thursday that his nation may go it alone in its efforts to launch European Union membership talks, turning its back on a stalled joint bid with North Macedonia.
North Macedonia’s population shrank by nearly 10% since 2002
March 30, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia has lost nearly 10% of its population over the last two decades mostly due to emigration, statistics officials said on Wednesday, announcing the official results of a 2021 census.
North Macedonia, Bulgaria reestablish commercial air link
March 26, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia and Bulgaria reestablished a commercial air link Saturday after 13 years of interruption, as a symbolic trust-building move.
Relations between the two Balkan neighbors have long been strained as the Bulgarians do not recognize a separate Macedonian ethnicity and language, saying the language is actually a Bulgarian dialect.
EU’s Borrell says Western Balkans’ accession a priority
March 14, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The European Union's foreign policy chief on Monday reaffirmed the 27-country bloc's desire to integrate the Western Balkans, saying it's a "strategic priority.”
Josep Borrell said Brussels is committed to making the “EU perspective a reality” for the region.
N. Macedonia medical marijuana firm raided, 1.5 tons seized
February 9, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — Police in North Macedonia have raided a company legally growing marijuana for medicinal purposes and seized about 1.5 tons of cannabis due to “irregularities” in the firm's operation, the country's interior minister said Wednesday.
Bulgaria, North Macedonia meet to boost ties, ease strains
January 25, 2022 GMTSOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The governments of Bulgaria and North Macedonia held a joint session Tuesday to improve relations, which have been locked in a historic row and further strained after Bulgaria blocked its Balkan neighbor's bid to join the European Union.
Bulgarian PM visits North Macedonia to boost battered ties
January 18, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The new prime ministers of North Macedonia and Bulgaria agreed Tuesday to redouble efforts to improve relations between the Balkan neighbors, which soured after Bulgaria blocked North Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union.
North Macedonia: Center-left government OK’d by parliament
January 16, 2022 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s parliament on Sunday approved a new coalition Cabinet led by the Social Democrats, with two ethnic Albanian parties as junior partners.
The Cabinet won the confidence vote 62-46 in the 120-member legislature.
North Macedonia: New Social Democrat leader tapped for PM
December 29, 2021 GMTSKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — North Macedonia’s president Wednesday nominated Social Democrat party leader Dimitar Kovachevski to become the next prime minister.
The move follows the formal resignation last week of the country’s center-left government to pave the way for new coalition talks.