European Council president tells North Macedonia constitutional change is needed for EU accession

European Council President Charles Michel reiterated that North Macedonia must amend its constitution to include the Bulgarian minority for EU accession talks to begin. Michel met with North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, emphasizing that fulfilling this commitment, agreed upon in 2022, is the sole path to officially starting negotiations and realizing the benefits of EU membership. This requirement stems from the EU's 2022 proposal, which North Macedonia's current government, VMRO-DPMNE, had previously opposed. Michel is on a tour of the Western Balkans to underscore the EU's commitment to enlargement, contingent on reforms.