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[POLITICS] · North Macedonia · 11 sources

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Macedonia: Political disputes over EU language rights and infrastructure updates

Antonio Milošoski has criticized the Macedonian government's handling of EU negotiations, arguing that the current framework does not guarantee the Macedonian language will become an official EU language. He claims that a single member state's veto is sufficient to block such a designation, contradicting claims made by government officials regarding the security of national identity within the negotiating framework.

Milošoski asserts that the agreements signed by the SDS-led government and DUI regarding the Good Neighbor Agreement with Bulgaria pose a long-term risk to the official promotion of the Macedonian language in the EU. He notes that according to EU treaties, official languages are determined by a unanimous decision of the Council of the EU.

In separate domestic news, the Food and Veterinary Agency (AVV) reported that nearly 70 tons of unsafe food were destroyed in North Macedonia during the first eight months of 2026. Additionally, authorities blocked the import of over 21 tons of non-animal origin products and returned more than 122 tons of animal-origin products to their countries of origin.

Regarding infrastructure, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski stated that construction of six highways is progressing dynamically across the country, including projects in Kicevo, Tetovo, Gostivar, and Prilep.

Entities

Antonio Milošoski · Bulgaria · European Union · SDS · SDSM · VMRO-DPMNE

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] A single EU member state's veto is sufficient to block the Macedonian language from becoming an official EU language. tocka.com.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Official EU institutional languages are determined by a unanimous decision by the Council of the EU. tocka.com.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The EU strategy 'Preparing for a wider Union' references Article 55 of the EU Treaty and Article 342 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. tocka.com.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Bulgaria submitted a declaration to the EU Council in July 2022 stating that mentioning the Macedonian language in the negotiating framework does not constitute recognition of it. tocka.com.mk · vmro-dpmne.org.mk

Sources