AGP Executive Report

Spy Allegations in Skopje: A North Macedonia presidency IT administrator is under investigation after prosecutors allege he copied secret files, encrypted them inside the presidential office, and prepared them for transfer to a foreign intelligence service outside NATO. Political Fallout: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova says she’s surprised; the opposition calls for a full probe and warns of Serbian and Russian influence, while PM Hristijan Mickoski downplays it as tied to “old intelligence structures.” EU Money at Stake: Kosovo faces losing over €250 million from the EU Growth Plan unless it completes reform steps by end-June, while Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia have just received nearly €160 million in new payments. Regional Pressure on Trade: Bruegel warns Western Balkans firms face rising non-tariff barriers—border delays and EU rule complexity—despite deeper supply-chain integration. Energy Deal: Hyprop buys Bulgaria’s Galleria Burgas for about €122.2m (R2.3bn).

EU Growth Plan Pressure: Kosovo is at risk of losing over €90m from the EU’s Western Balkans Growth Plan unless it completes 13 reform steps by 30 June and submits its payment request—so far it has only received pre-financing. Another 27 steps could cost it an additional €165.9m by year-end, putting more than €250m on the line. Regional Funding Rollout: In the same latest tranche, the European Commission released €49m to Albania, €44.2m to Montenegro, and €65.7m to North Macedonia after positive reform assessments. Skopje’s EU Politics: A former diplomat, Viktor Gaber, has proposed a referendum on constitutional amendments tied to EU accession, as the country’s talks remain stalled by the constitutional requirement to include Bulgarians. Domestic Tensions: Protests by Albanian law students over taking the bar exam in Albanian have escalated into a wider political and ethnic flashpoint in Skopje. Energy Integration: North Macedonia’s electricity market operator MEMO has joined the Association of Issuing Bodies, moving the country closer to the EU’s guarantees-of-origin system for renewable power.

Eurovision Return: North Macedonia has confirmed it will come back to Eurovision in 2027, after a four-year absence, with MRT saying it has had positive talks with the EBU and that the broadcaster will send an entry to next year’s contest in Sofia. Skopje Tensions: A bar-exam language protest by Albanian law students has escalated into a wider political flashpoint, with clashes, arrests, and UÇK symbolism raising fears of deeper ethnic and diplomatic faultlines. EU Money, Uneven Access: The European Commission released €65.7m to North Macedonia under its Reform and Growth Facility, while Serbia was left out for unmet criteria, keeping more funds on hold. EU Enlargement Debate: Bulgaria says it won’t allow renegotiation of the EU framework for North Macedonia, as Germany pushes a faster “associate” style path for Ukraine and other candidates. Transport Pressure: Regional carriers warn new EU driver rules and border frictions are worsening shortages and delays, threatening supply chains across the Western Balkans.

EU Money Moves: The European Commission has released €49m to Albania, €44.2m to Montenegro, and €65.7m to North Macedonia under its Reform and Growth Facility, bringing totals to €212.8m for Albania, €89.3m for Montenegro, and €142.1m for North Macedonia. EU Enlargement Pressure: Five EU states back “staged” single-market access for Western Balkans candidates, aiming to keep them aligned and reduce outside influence—while warning access could be pulled if reforms slip. Skopje Politics Under Heat: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says the government won’t interfere in another country’s internal affairs after a rally supporting Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was announced in Kumanovo. New Tensions at the Top: An alleged espionage probe involving the President’s Office has drawn fresh attention, with claims of copied and decrypted confidential data and pressure to halt parts of the investigation. Language Rights Fight: Albanian law students’ protests over taking the bar exam in Albanian continue to escalate, with institutions still working on a solution.

EU Money Push: The European Commission released €65.7m to North Macedonia under its Reform and Growth Facility, part of a wider €158.9m package for Albania and Montenegro too—aimed at business competitiveness, innovation, education and digitalisation. Balkan Single-Market Plan: Five EU states want “step-by-step” access for Western Balkans candidates to parts of the single market—transport, energy, digital services and critical raw materials—once sector rules are met, with access potentially pulled back if reforms stall. Skopje Political Tensions: PM Hristijan Mickoski says the government will not interfere in another country’s internal affairs after a planned rally in Kumanovo supporting Serbia’s President. Espionage Claims: Meanwhile, suspicions of spying and alleged leaks tied to North Macedonia’s President’s office have sparked fresh attention and a stalled preliminary probe. Prisons Watch: Council of Europe data flags overcrowding across Europe, with North Macedonia listed under “moderate” overcrowding.

EU Enlargement Push: Austria, Italy, and others want a “step-by-step” way for Western Balkans states to plug into the EU single market sector by sector, aiming to keep candidates from drifting into Russia’s orbit. Skopje Language Row: Albanian students escalated protests over the bar exam and now demand full Albanian-language equality in state institutions, with clashes reported during the latest rally. Energy Security: The US is backing new gas routes across the Western Balkans, including LNG and pipeline plans that could reshape supply for North Macedonia and neighbors. Prisons Watch: Malta’s severe overcrowding stands out in a Council of Europe report, while North Macedonia sits in the “moderate” overcrowding group—another reminder of pressure on regional justice systems. EU Health Monitoring: Europe is watching hantavirus concerns closely, but coverage notes the risk is still considered very low.

Language Rights Clash: Albanian students in Skopje escalated protests over the bar exam language row into street clashes, with injuries and detentions reported, as the government insists the professional law exam can’t be taken in Albanian; Diplomatic Pressure: North Macedonia’s President Siljanovska-Davkova is in Slovenia seeking EU-integration support and warning against “bilateralizing” enlargement over identity issues; EU Watch: The EU is pushing for deeper security partnerships, while a separate debate continues over how carbon border rules like CBAM could disrupt decarbonization; Crime & Courts: Two North Macedonian nationals face U.S. charges in a “Trump Bucks” fraud scheme targeting elderly buyers; Regional Energy: The U.S. backs new gas routes across the Western Balkans, including potential LNG plans that could affect North Macedonia’s supply options; Sports: A Macedonian league standout, Ghanaian attacker Emmanuel Avornyo, earned a Team of the Week spot.

World Cup Build-Up: Türkiye’s coach Vincenzo Montella named a 35-man provisional squad, with two warm-ups already set—June 1 vs North Macedonia in Istanbul and June 7 vs Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale—signaling a serious push after a 24-year absence from the World Cup. EU Politics: North Macedonia’s President Siljanovska-Davkova told Slovenia’s President Pirc Musar that EU enlargement must not be “bilateralized,” and framed Western Balkans integration as both a political and security priority. Language Rights at Home: Skopje is bracing for another wave of student protests over whether the professional law exam can be taken in Albanian, with organisers calling it a constitutional right tied to the Ohrid Agreement. Energy Push: The US is backing new gas routes across the Western Balkans, including plans involving North Macedonia, as countries try to cut reliance on Russian supply. Tougher Security Abroad: In the background, US prosecutors announced charges against an Iraqi man accused of coordinating nearly 20 terror attacks across Europe, the US and Canada—one alleged target linked to North Macedonia. Sports Spotlight: Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Avornyo earned Matchday 32 Team of the Week honours in North Macedonia’s league.

Terror crackdown: The U.S. DOJ has arrested an Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, described as a senior Kata’ib Hizballah commander, charging him over nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe, the U.S. and Canada, with prosecutors alleging he urged attacks on Americans and Jews. EU & health: Europe is watching a hantavirus outbreak linked to the Andes variant, with risk judged “very low” but crisis monitoring activated as countries debate how to handle quarantine and distancing. EU future for Skopje: Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar told North Macedonia it belongs in the EU, as President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova visits Slovenia and Brdo-Brijuni talks move to Skopje. Language rights flashpoint: Albanian students plan a Skopje protest demanding the bar exam be offered in Albanian, reigniting the wider fight over language equality. Energy pressure: CBAM’s carbon border tax is already disrupting Western Balkan electricity markets, while regional ministers push new gas links and grid upgrades to protect supply.

Far-right Firewall Debate: In Brussels, EPP leader Manfred Weber says the “cordon sanitaire” against far-right power is wobbling, as his party weighs a softer Green Deal, tougher migration lines, and whether to work with conservatives—while a “content-based” wing pushes closer ties to Patriots and AfD. Energy Grid Pressure: At the Belgrade Energy Forum, Balkan TSOs warned the green transition will only work if transmission grids keep up; Serbia’s EMS says it’s ready to plug in 12 GW of renewables over six years. North Macedonia–Albanian Language Fight: In Skopje, Albanian students plan a May 18 protest over taking the bar exam in Albanian, reigniting the wider dispute over language rights. Regional Security Shock: The U.S. announced charges against an Iraqi man accused of plotting Iran-linked attacks across Europe and North America, including a case tied to North Macedonia. EU Courtroom for Ukraine: Dozens of countries signed up to a special tribunal aimed at prosecuting Russia for Ukraine war crimes.

Montenegro-Serbia Tensions: Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić says he won’t attend Montenegro’s 20th independence anniversary, calling it “secession,” while Podgorica insists the 2006 referendum was democratic and not aimed at Serbia. Regional Security Drills: Balkan search-and-rescue teams, including North Macedonia and Turkey, trained in Thessaloniki with AFAD in a three-day emergency exercise. Terror Case Links to the Region: The US DOJ charged an Iraqi man tied to Iran-backed Kata’ib Hizballah over alleged plots targeting Jewish sites across Europe and North America, including claims involving North Macedonia. Energy Diplomacy: Energy ministers in Athens pushed faster grid and gas corridor links, while Serbia and MOL’s NIS takeover talks hinge on refinery operations. EU Accession Friction: Skopje’s foreign minister requested a meeting with Bulgaria’s counterpart ahead of NATO talks, as political parties trade accusations over language and constitutional demands.

Terror Charges: An Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, has been arrested in the U.S. and charged over alleged Iran-backed plots for “nearly 20” attacks targeting Jews and Jewish-linked sites across Europe, Canada and the U.S., including a synagogue arson case in North Macedonia. Defense & Diplomacy: The UK says it will deploy assets for a future defensive mission in the Strait of Hormuz, while President Trump again criticizes Prime Minister Starmer for not backing U.S. Iran strikes. Energy Push: Energy ministers in Athens stress regional cooperation and new gas links—Serbia aims to boost interconnectors with North Macedonia and invest €1.2bn in gas infrastructure, while Bulgaria argues for “horizontal” infrastructure thinking beyond the north-south axis. EU Friction: North Macedonia and Bulgaria trade fresh accusations over EU-related constitutional demands and language issues, as Skopje seeks a meeting with Sofia’s foreign minister. Justice at Home: Prosecutors prepare charges in what’s described as North Macedonia’s first serial femicide case.

Terror Case Hits the Balkans: A senior Iraqi militia commander, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been arrested and sent to the US over alleged co-ordination of antisemitic attacks across the UK, Europe and North America, including an arson attack on a synagogue in North Macedonia and a stabbing of two Jewish men in London. Energy Diplomacy: Serbia is pushing to become a south-to-north energy hub, citing gas links with Bulgaria and plans to build new interconnectors with North Macedonia and Greece, while ministers in Athens stress regional grid and corridor projects for supply security. EU Accession Friction: North Macedonia’s foreign minister has requested a formal meeting with Bulgaria’s counterpart ahead of NATO talks, as Skopje and Sofia trade barbs over “non-European conditions” tied to constitutional changes. Language Rights Protest: Albanian students in North Macedonia are set to protest on 18 May over taking the bar exam in Albanian, with support from Kosovo and Montenegro figures.

Terror Crackdown: The U.S. Justice Department arrested and charged an Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, accusing him of coordinating nearly 20 terror plots and attempted attacks across the U.S., Europe and Canada, including alleged targeting of Jewish sites; prosecutors link the case to Kata’ib Hizballah and Iran’s IRGC. Skopje in the Crosshairs: The charges also cite an alleged arson attack against a synagogue in North Macedonia, underscoring how the investigation reaches the Balkans. Energy Diplomacy: In Athens, regional energy ministers pushed interconnection plans for gas and electricity security, while Serbia’s NIS-MOL takeover talks moved toward a final position. EU Accession Tensions: North Macedonia and Bulgaria traded fresh political barbs over EU-linked constitutional demands, with Skopje seeking a meeting with Sofia at NATO talks. Justice at Home: Prosecutors say they are preparing charges in what’s believed to be North Macedonia’s first serial femicide case. Culture & Film: Skopje’s film industry keeps momentum as production begins on “Snowman/Sneshko” and the Film Agency returns to Cannes.

Energy Security Push: Greece’s deputy energy minister Kiril Temelkov says Southeast Europe’s supply stability hinges on faster regional grid and gas corridor cooperation, with Bulgaria’s East-West electricity interconnector and the Vertical Gas Corridor front and center. NIS/MOL Talks: Serbia’s energy minister Dubravka Đedović Handanović says Serbia will deliver its final position to Hungary’s MOL on the NIS deal by end of day, with MOL expected to decide Monday—Pancevo refinery operations remain the key sticking point. Skopje–Sofia Tensions: North Macedonia’s parties trade accusations over Bulgaria-linked disputes, while Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski has requested a bilateral meeting with Bulgaria’s counterpart at NATO talks in Sweden. Albanian Language Bar Exam: Albanian law students plan renewed protests on 18 May, and PM Hristijan Mickoski says a solution is being prepared with Venice Commission input. Justice for Ukraine: 34 European countries plus others sign up to a future special tribunal aimed at prosecuting Russia for Ukraine war crimes. Culture & Film: Filming starts in Skopje on Stojan Vujičić’s fantasy coming-of-age “Snowman/Sneshko,” a multi-country coproduction supported by the Film Agency. Travel/Everyday Life: A wolf kept as a pet was found loose in Skopje and taken to the zoo under quarantine.

Foreign-Policy Tension: North Macedonia’s foreign minister Timco Mucunski has asked for an official meeting with Bulgaria’s Velislava Petrova at the NATO foreign ministers’ gathering in Sweden, saying Sofia is pushing “non-European conditions” tied to EU accession. Language Rights Clash: The bar exam protest by Albanian law students is back in focus after PM Hristijan Mickoski said the government will soon offer a solution, while students plan to keep pressure until they get a clear decision. Skopje-Sofia Row: Skopje also summoned Bulgaria’s ambassador over Petrova’s use of the adjective “North Macedonian,” turning a wording dispute into a diplomatic spat. Energy Integration Push: Ministers from Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania and others backed faster integration of regional energy grids, calling it a boost for security and cooperation. Justice Watch: Prosecutors are preparing charges in what’s believed to be North Macedonia’s first serial femicide case. Culture & Diplomacy: Skopje marked Bulgaria’s Alphabet Day at the Bulgarian Cultural and Information Centre with exhibitions and children’s programs.