North Macedonia pushes judicial reforms with Germany while debating EU negotiation framework

Justice Minister Jeton Shasivari met German ambassador Petra Dreksler in Skopje, confirming strong bilateral cooperation on judicial reforms. The talks highlighted Germany’s role in supporting the new criminal code, asset‑recovery legislation and the management of confiscated property, with expertise from the IRZ foundation and the GIZ agency.

Foreign Minister Timcho Muçunski and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, joined by opposition leader Venko Filipçe, said the Second Protocol of the Friendship, Good‑Neighbourly Relations and Cooperation Agreement with Bulgaria is not part of the EU negotiating framework. They accused the government of playing on public emotions and warned that attempts to change the negotiation framework could threaten Macedonian language and identity, noting the lack of guarantees from Bulgaria on future EU talks.