AGP Executive Report

EU Enlargement Momentum: EU ambassadors agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first steps focused on rule of law, institutions, and rights—another sign the bloc is pushing enlargement faster. Skopje–Ankara Business Push: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski invited Turkish investors in Istanbul, pitching the country as a gateway into European supply chains and pointing to digitized services and fewer procedures. Trade Boost: Türkiye and North Macedonia discussed ways to more than double bilateral trade toward a $2bn target; Turkish contracting firms cited 45 completed projects worth $2bn. Investment Climate Watch: A new analysis warns North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly tied to EU accession progress as net FDI fell sharply in 2025. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, billed as the first grid-scale facility of its kind in the Western Balkans. Renewables Finance: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC’s renewable rollout across Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, supporting wind and solar capacity. Environment & Health: A Europe-wide pollution map links PM2.5 to premature deaths, flagging North Macedonia’s Skopski region among the worst-hit areas. Governance & Media: A regional study says war-crimes coverage and transitional justice reporting face political pressure and disinformation risks across the Western Balkans, including North Macedonia.

Investment Push: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski invited Turkish businesspeople to invest in Skopje, pitching the country as a gateway to European supply chains and citing steps to cut red tape and digitize services. Trade Talks: Türkiye and North Macedonia also discussed boosting bilateral trade beyond $886m (end-2025) toward a $2bn target, with Turkish contractors and manufacturing employment highlighted. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park—positioned as the Balkans’ first large-scale grid-scale BESS. EU Funding for Renewables: EBRD approved a €175m loan for PPC’s renewable rollout across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting wind and solar capacity and regional decarbonisation. Air Quality Watch: A Europe-wide PM2.5 map flagged North Macedonia’s Skopski region as among the worst for premature deaths tied to fine-particle pollution. Regional Connectivity Scrutiny: An EU audit warns Western Balkan TEN-T projects face delays from immature planning and weak monitoring, with the 2030 deadline at risk. Industrial Chemicals Deal: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution partnership with Omya, covering pigment dispersions and powders including North Macedonia.

Trade Boost: Türkiye and North Macedonia met in Istanbul to push bilateral trade beyond $886m (end-2025) toward a $2bn target, with talks on modernizing the free trade deal for e-commerce and services and Turkish contractors’ track record in North Macedonia. Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery system for Mey Energy in North Macedonia, co-located with the Novaci solar park, marking the Balkans’ first large-scale grid battery storage push. Renewables Finance: EBRD approved a EUR 175m loan for PPC to add about 400 MW of wind and solar across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, supporting decarbonisation and energy security. Industrial Materials Deal: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution agreement with Omya for pigment dispersions and powders, covering North Macedonia among other Balkan markets. Air Quality Pressure: A Europe-wide PM2.5 map flags North Macedonia’s Skopski region among the worst for premature deaths tied to fine particle pollution. Investment Climate Watch: Reporting warns North Macedonia’s higher-quality FDI push is increasingly linked to EU accession progress as net FDI fell sharply in 2025.

Renewables & Grid Storage: YESS Power commissioned Balkans’ first large-scale solar battery storage system in North Macedonia — a 30 MW BESS co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park, boosting flexibility and grid stability. Energy Finance: EBRD approved a EUR 175 mln loan for PPC’s renewable-energy rollout across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, targeting ~400 MW of wind/solar and ~760 GWh clean power annually. EU Transport Oversight: A European Court of Auditors probe says EU oversight of Western Balkan TEN-T projects is weak, with delays linked to funding immature projects and slow start times. Investment Climate: North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality foreign investment is increasingly tied to EU accession progress, as FDI fell sharply in 2025 and uncertainty weighs on new entrants. Industrial Materials: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya, covering pigments for manufacturers across North Macedonia and the wider region. Energy Prices Pressure: A new ranking shows electricity costs vary wildly across Europe, with fuel-importing markets and policy choices driving higher household bills. Drought Risk to Food: A Europe-wide drought analysis flags exceptional dryness since 2012 and warns of growing threats to agriculture and food security, including in North Macedonia.

Energy Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned Balkans’ first large-scale 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park, aiming to boost grid stability and renewable integration. EU Enlargement Rules: Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg back stronger EU safeguards to act faster against “democratic and legal breaches,” including possible fund and voting-right suspensions and limits on new members’ veto powers. Investment Climate Watch: North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly linked to EU accession progress, as 2025 net FDI fell sharply and analysts warn stalled EU path is eroding the country’s investment edge. Regional Connectivity Agenda: SEECP leaders met in Sofia as Romania took over the rotating chairmanship, with priorities spanning enlargement support, resilience to cyber and hybrid threats, and energy/transport/digital connectivity. Industrial Trade Link: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya Group, covering pigment dispersions and powders across North Macedonia and other Balkan markets. Energy Market Pressure: A Greek LNG buyer says long-term US LNG contracts are getting harder as Middle East disruptions tighten supply and raise price uncertainty. Housing Cost Strain: EU data shows soaring prices and rents are driving homelessness up, hitting young and vulnerable groups hardest.

EU Accession Watch: EU enlargement chief Marta Kos says North Macedonia’s investment pull is increasingly tied to EU accession momentum, as FDI fell sharply in 2025 and only partly rebounded in early 2026—raising pressure to keep reforms moving. Regional Connectivity: At the SEECP summit in Sofia, leaders including North Macedonia’s president backed stronger transport and energy links, positioning the Balkans as a potential hub for energy diversification and resilience. Energy Security: The Energy Community reports improving gas storage readiness across South-East Europe; North Macedonia is expected to secure winter supply via access to gas stored abroad as Serbia and Ukraine hit fill targets. Climate & Agriculture: A Europe-wide drought analysis flags exceptionally dry years affecting North Macedonia and the wider region, warning agriculture and food security are under strain. Telecom Competition: Starlink’s new 100Mbps/200Mbps tier rollout is already live across Europe and includes North Macedonia—potentially reshaping local internet pricing pressure. Mining Output: Central Asia Metals reports steady production at Sasa (zinc/lead) and Kounrad (copper), with price support and low treatment charges boosting revenues. Work & Productivity: A Eurostat-based roundup shows North Macedonia’s average working week sits above the EU average, feeding debate on labor models across Europe.

EU Merger Scrutiny: The European Commission has opened an investigation into Paramount’s $111bn Warner Bros. Discovery merger after filings showed about $24bn in backing from Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds, with a July 14 deadline for a decision under the EU Foreign Subsidies rules. UK Competition Watch: Britain’s CMA has formally started its probe into the same deal, with an Aug. 7 deadline to decide whether it goes to a deeper phase. Local Industry Link: North Macedonia is named among the approvals for the merger, while the country also appears in the region-wide footprint of a separate pharma expansion: Genesis Pharma and Alnylam are extending RNAi therapeutics commercialization to North Macedonia and other Southeast Europe markets. Mining Output: Central Asia Metals reported May production gains at its Sasa zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia and copper output at Kounrad in Kazakhstan, citing higher received metal prices and improved revenues. Energy Security: The Energy Community’s 2026 gas storage report says North Macedonia must secure storage access abroad to meet winter reserve expectations, as Serbia and Ukraine exceed fill targets. EU Enlargement Momentum: EU-Western Balkans summit coverage keeps spotlighting faster accession paths, with North Macedonia repeatedly referenced in the broader regional integration push.

Industrial Transformation: HEIDELBERG says it has accelerated its shift into a broader technology group, using a dual-use approach to expand into defense, security, energy, charging infrastructure and industrial systems under HD Advanced Technologies. Public Spending Transparency: A Skopje watchdog says the VMRO-DPMNE-led government is withholding costs and selection details for this year’s Independence Day celebrations, despite promises of major international performances. Energy & Renewables Finance: The EBRD approved a EUR 175m loan for PPC renewable projects in Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, targeting about 400MW of wind and solar and training up to 150 engineers for battery storage. Gas Security Rules: The Energy Community reports improving winter readiness as Serbia and Ukraine meet storage targets, while North Macedonia is expected to secure access to gas stored abroad. EU Enlargement Momentum: EU leaders in Montenegro pushed “gradual integration” and faster accession steps for Western Balkans states, linking enlargement more directly to security concerns. Regional Diplomacy: Türkiye’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan will represent President Erdoğan at the SEECP summit in Sofia, highlighting connectivity and regional unity. Retail Expansion: SPAR enters Iceland with two stores under a Drangar deal, using Samkaup to scale fresh and convenience offerings. Cyber Extortion Watch: The Silent Ransom Group is shifting to fast-flux infrastructure, with advisories warning of ongoing data-leak extortion targeting sensitive sectors. Forestry Snapshot: A data roundup ranks North Macedonia among Europe’s more forested countries, with forest cover at about 40% of land area.

EU Enlargement & Security: EU leaders meeting in Montenegro’s Tivat pushed “gradual integration” and faster accession, framing enlargement as a geostrategic necessity amid Russia-Ukraine fallout and wider security risks; Energy Finance: EBRD approved a EUR 175 mln loan for PPC renewable projects (wind/solar) across Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, with training support for up to 150 engineers in battery storage; Gas Supply Rules: Energy Community’s 2026 gas storage report says Serbia and Ukraine are meeting winter fill targets, while North Macedonia must secure storage access abroad equivalent to 15% of average annual consumption; Balkan Industry & Trade: Balkan Expo 2026 is running B2B food-industry meetings with 400+ regional firms, including agriculture, processing and packaging players; Cyber Extortion Risk: Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux botnet infrastructure, with FBI warnings that law firms and other sensitive sectors are being targeted; Local Business Links: Kazanlak and Spain’s Xativa discussed twinning and cooperation in mechanical engineering, culture and tourism.

Gas Security Update: The Energy Community’s 2026 gas storage report says supply security in South-Eastern and Eastern Europe is improving as candidate countries align storage rules with EU standards; Serbia and Ukraine have exceeded 2025 fill targets and hit early-2026 interim goals, while North Macedonia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to secure access to gas stored abroad (at least 15% of average annual consumption). EU Enlargement Push: At the EU–Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, EU leaders backed faster accession and “gradual integration” ideas, with Germany and France proposing incentives like earlier single-market access or observers in EU formats for countries meeting sector criteria. North Macedonia Business & Industry: Euromax Resources says North Macedonia’s Higher Administrative Court annulled the 2023 withdrawal of approval for its Ilovica 6 and Ilovica 11 concession merger, restoring the merger approval and paving the way for renewed talks with state institutions. Cyber Extortion Watch: Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux botnet infrastructure, complicating disruption efforts as it targets sensitive sectors including law firms. Food Trade & Networking: Balkan Expo 2026 is running B2B meetings with 400+ food-industry representatives, including processing, packaging and agriculture players, plus product tastings.

EU Enlargement Momentum: EU Enlargement Chief Marta Kos says Poland’s objections to Ukraine’s next EU steps are “solved,” with Ukraine set to move to the next joining stage on June 15 and Brussels aiming to open all six enlargement clusters by mid-July. Western Balkans Summit: At the EU-Western Balkans meeting in Tivat, leaders including António Costa, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz pushed a faster, more credible accession path, with talk of “gradual integration” and fewer veto-driven steps. North Macedonia in the Mix: The EU summit agenda explicitly includes North Macedonia as one of the six candidates, while local business-relevant developments continue: Euromax Resources says North Macedonia’s higher administrative court restored approval for its Ilovica concessions merger, clearing a key step for its Ilovica-Shtuka gold-copper project. Cyber Extortion Watch: Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux DNS infrastructure, with the FBI warning of ongoing data-theft extortion targeting sensitive sectors like law firms. Food & Trade Networking: Balkan Expo 2026 is running B2B food-industry meetings with 400+ regional participants, spanning processing, packaging and agriculture.

EU Enlargement Push: EU leaders at the Western Balkans summit in Montenegro (Tivat) renewed efforts to speed up accession, framing enlargement as a security and energy necessity amid Russia-Ukraine pressures and wider geopolitical risk. Gradual Integration Plan: Germany and France floated “gradual integration” ideas—letting candidates join parts of EU single-market and policy formats earlier, with incentives tied to meeting criteria and a simplified negotiation path. Roam Like at Home: The EU Council approved extending the “Roam Like at Home” roaming scheme to the Western Balkans (including North Macedonia), with sectoral talks now starting so citizens and businesses see roaming benefits sooner. North Macedonia EU Bid Context: EU officials stressed that faster, more credible steps are needed to avoid frustration in countries like North Macedonia, where past vetoes have slowed progress. Mining & Industry: Euromax Resources said North Macedonia’s Higher Administrative Court annulled a 2023 withdrawal decision, restoring merger approval for its Ilovica concessions—aiming to restart work and support local growth. Cyber Risk for Services: Silent Ransom Group upgraded its data-leak extortion with fast-flux infrastructure, with law firms and other sensitive sectors flagged as targets.

EU Enlargement Push: EU leaders at the Western Balkans summit in Montenegro renewed efforts to speed up accession, with Germany and France backing “gradual integration” and incentives like earlier single-market access and EU programme participation for reforming candidates. Roam Like at Home: The EU Council approved talks to extend the “Roam Like at Home” roaming zone to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, aiming to cut roaming costs for travellers. North Macedonia Business & Mining: Euromax Resources says North Macedonia’s Higher Administrative Court restored approval for its Ilovica 6 and Ilovica 11 concessions merger, clearing the way for renewed talks with state institutions. Cyber Extortion Risk: Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux DNS infrastructure, with advisories warning of ongoing data-theft extortion targeting sensitive sectors. Regional Industry & Jobs: A Western Balkans labour outlook highlights persistent worker shortages affecting construction, manufacturing and services, while new employment plans under the Berlin Process aim to broaden access for groups like Roma. Food Trade Spotlight: Balkan Expo 2026 opened with B2B meetings bringing 400+ food-industry representatives across the region.

EU Enlargement Push (Western Balkans): German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron urged faster EU enlargement at the EU-Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, backing “gradual integration” incentives like earlier single-market access and observers in EU institutions, while also calling to simplify the process. EU Connectivity for Businesses: The EU Council approved talks to extend “Roam Like at Home” to the Western Balkans (including North Macedonia), aiming to boost cross-border connectivity for citizens and companies. North Macedonia in the Mix: EU leaders reiterated that North Macedonia is among the six “WB6” candidates, with the country’s accession path still tied to reforms and political consensus. Local Business & Industry Link: Balkan Expo 2026 in the region is set to host B2B meetings with food-industry players and partners, highlighting ongoing trade and production ties relevant to North Macedonia’s exporters. Cyber Risk for Sensitive Sectors: The Silent Ransom Group (SRG) is shifting to fast-flux botnet infrastructure for data theft and extortion, with law firms flagged as targets—an issue for regional professional services and IT readiness. Energy & Investment Signals: EU summit discussions also tied enlargement urgency to energy security and migration routes, underlining why regional infrastructure and supply deals remain strategic.

EU Enlargement Push: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron urged faster EU enlargement at the EU–Western Balkans summit in Montenegro, backing “gradual integration” rewards for candidates that meet accession criteria, plus a simpler, less veto-heavy negotiation path. Roam Like at Home: The EU Council approved opening talks to extend the “Roam Like at Home” roaming zone to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, with sectoral agreements now set to follow. North Macedonia Business & Resources: Euromax Resources says North Macedonia’s Higher Administrative Court restored approval for the merger of its Ilovica 6 and Ilovica 11 concessions, clearing the way to finalise a new agreement and restart its Ilovica-Shtuka gold-copper project. Aviation & Trade Links: ACI Europe reported Europe’s airport passenger traffic fell 0.7% year-on-year in April 2026; notably, Albania, North Macedonia and Moldova still posted growth, while Germany and parts of Western Europe declined. Education Diplomacy: Separate from the EU track, governments are doubling down on education diplomacy and global scholarships to build skills and research partnerships worldwide.

EU Enlargement Push: EU leaders in Montenegro’s Tivat backed “gradual integration” for the WB6—Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia—so candidates can join parts of EU programmes and single-market formats before full membership, with Germany and France urging a faster, more credible path. Roam Like at Home: The EU Council approved talks to extend “Roam Like at Home” to the WB6, aiming to cut roaming costs for citizens and boost cross-border business connectivity. North Macedonia Business & Industry: Euromax Resources says North Macedonia’s Higher Administrative Court restored its 2023 merger approval for Ilovica 6 and Ilovica 11 concessions, clearing the way to finalize a new agreement and restart momentum for its Ilovica-Shtuka gold-copper project. Energy Security: The Energy Community reports improving gas security in South East and Eastern Europe as aspirants implement EU-aligned storage rules; North Macedonia is expected to secure gas via access to storage abroad. Aviation Demand: ACI Europe reports European airport passenger traffic fell 0.7% year-on-year in April 2026, with notable declines in Germany, the UK and France, while Albania, North Macedonia and Moldova still grew. Food & Trade: Balkan Expo 2026 in Montenegro runs through June 6 with B2B meetings drawing 400+ food-industry representatives across the region, alongside agriculture and packaging players.