# North Macedonia EU integration and infrastructure efforts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-eu-integration-and-infrastructure-efforts
> Updated: 2026-10-07T08:03:03.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Aleksandar Nikoloski, has been engaging in high-level discussions regarding economic cooperation, infrastructure, and European Union integration.

During a two-day working visit to Brussels, Nikoloski met with European Commission representatives and officials from the European Investment Bank to discuss the EU Growth Plan, the enlargement process, and major infrastructure projects. A primary focus was a 150 million euro EU grant for the Corridor 8 railway connecting North Macedonia to Bulgaria, supported by loans from the EIB and the EBRD. During this visit, Nikoloski also participated in a ‘Friends of Europe’ session and a summit on transport corridors.

Nikoloski has also provided political analysis regarding the country’s EU path and its relations with Bulgaria. He stated that Bulgarian conditioning of North Macedonia began in March 2020 during the pandemic, noting that key decisions were made by the previous government. While the 2018 Prespa Agreement was intended to accelerate EU negotiations, Nikoloski observed that expected progress has not materialized. He claimed that despite EU requirements for reforms in fighting organized crime, corruption, and public administration, there has been no substantial progress, citing instead an increase in public administration staffing.

In previous discussions at the Macedonian-Austrian Business Forum, Nikoloski raised concerns regarding the allocation of EU grants, arguing that Macedonian companies face “unfair competition” when taxpayer-funded projects are awarded to non-EU entities. He also called for an agreement with Austria to secure long-term visas for Macedonian transport companies.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Nikoloski analyzes North Macedonia’s EU path and Bulgarian relations

Deputy PM Aleksandar Nikoloski analyzed North Macedonia’s EU integration hurdles, citing Bulgarian conditioning and a lack of progress in administrative reforms since the 2018 Prespa Agreement.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikoloski-analyzes-north-macedonias-eu-path-and-bulgarian-relations

### 2026-09-30: Aleksandar Nikoloski visits Brussels to discuss EU integration and infrastructure

North Macedonia's Deputy PM Aleksandar Nikoloski is in Brussels to discuss EU integration, infrastructure, and a 150 million euro grant for the Corridor 8 railway project.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikoloski-visits-brussels-to-discuss-eu-integration-and-infrastructure

### 2026-09-16: Nikoloski calls for fair EU grant competition and Austrian visas

Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski called for fair competition regarding EU grants and long-term Austrian visas for Macedonian transport companies during a business forum.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikoloski-calls-for-fair-eu-grant-competition-and-austrian-visas

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Cite as: North Macedonia EU integration and infrastructure efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-eu-integration-and-infrastructure-efforts