North Macedonia and its path towards the EU was the topic of the panel discussion as part of a series of talks organised by Europa Zentrum in Vienna. Scholars from North Macedonia, based in Vienna, took a critical stance on both sides, criticising the country’s failure to push forward reforms, while at the same time, highlighting the EU’s inconsistency and change of criteria. 

Lura Pollozhani, a researcher at the University of Graz, holds a PhD in Law and Politics from the same institution. She has also served as an advisor to North Macedonia’s Prime Minister. During this discussion, she shared mixed impressions on the integration process.   

This is a very delicate dance because we have seen countries like North Macedonia; when it truly believed it was joining the EU, it excelled in reforms and delivered results. The council has repeatedly recommended opening accession negotiations, yet no chapter has been opened,” she said. 

According to her, the lengthy process of advancing towards EU accession has created reluctance and critical tones among the people in the Western Balkans towards the EU’s engagement in the process. At the same time, the EU officials criticise the region for a lack of progress in reforms. She emphasises that the EU institutions must have a clear stance on what the ultimate goal is.

“When countries see that the EU pays off, they are more inclined to reform accordingly. The EU growth plan is one such ‘gamble’, because every country must have a reform agenda and work on it to receive money and retain it,” says Pollozhani.

Kristijan Fidanovski, currently a researcher at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, holds a PhD from the University of Oxford’s Department of Social Policy. In this talk, he raised the issue of the ongoing veto affecting the EU integration process.

“No functional institution operates on principles of unanimity. I can’t think of one, not just in politics but more broadly. This becomes an issue, especially when allowing Western Balkan countries to join, as they might perpetuate this vicious cycle of blackmailing,” he says.

Additionally, the inclusion of Bulgaria in the framework of negotiations is a significant development, particularly in terms of whether it signals that other countries may follow suit, as noted by Lura Pollozhani. “This is a precedent that bilateral talks can be brought to the table, wherever and whenever, because that opens a lot of potential problems for the future, as well as in the present,” she says.

What is Austria doing to support North Macedonia’s accession to the EU? 

Both scholars consider that Austria has been very active in supporting the region's progress in the accession process. 

“Austria became quite prominent in the public debate in our country. Our Prime Minister visits Vienna frequently. This signals that Vienna might take an active role in mediating the situation with Bulgaria,” says Kristijan Fidanovski.

“Generally, Austria’s position was seen positively within the region. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs often organises activities related to the Western Balkans. There is a clear line of communication and transparency,” concludes Lura Pollozhani.

The Austrian Parliament has stated that it will actively support the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union. The region is the focus of the Austrian Parliament's foreign policy activities. The six countries are at different stages of the accession process.