North Macedonia hailed by EU as reform leader amid pension and waste‑management reforms

The European Commission issued a positive assessment confirming that North Macedonia is among the leading candidates in the region for implementing the EU Reform Agenda, alongside Albania and Montenegro. VMRO‑DPMNE officials, including Antonio Miloshoski, welcomed the rating as proof of successful reforms and as a rebuttal to opposition claims that the government has failed to meet its EU commitments.

The government also highlighted ongoing sectoral reforms. A €4 million investment, funded in partnership with Switzerland, has enabled a new automated plant for packaging‑waste selection serving Skopje and surrounding municipalities, aiming to boost recycling rates. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance is reviewing recommendations from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the pension system, including possible increases to the retirement age, though no final decision has been made.