Former President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski has warned that the country risks entering a prolonged period of stagnation in its path toward European Union membership, drawing comparisons to the decade-long deadlock following the NATO summit veto in Bucharest.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Pendarovski said that North Macedonia’s current inaction and failure to meet EU conditions could result in yet another lost decade, similar to the years of political and diplomatic limbo caused by the name dispute with Greece.
“Sooner or later, society will wake up and ask: are we going to wait another 10 to 15 years before signing what Europe requires?” he stated.
Declining Enthusiasm for EU Membership — Except Among Albanians
Citing the latest Eurobarometer poll, Pendarovski noted a significant decline in public trust in the EU, which now stands at 54% — a figure that, he emphasized, is “kept afloat almost entirely thanks to the support of ethnic Albanians.”
“Among ethnic Macedonians, support for EU accession is just around 30%, a figure we typically see only in Serbia,” he remarked.
According to Pendarovski, decades of economic hardship and unfulfilled promises have left citizens disillusioned and numb to political rhetoric.
“I’m not saying this will spark a security crisis,” he clarified, “but it sends a clear signal: both Macedonians and Albanians are increasingly considering emigration as the only path forward.”
A Shrinking Window for EU Integration
Pendarovski’s comments come at a time of mounting frustration within North Macedonia, as the country’s aspirations for EU integration remain stalled, despite ongoing support from its Albanian population.
His remarks underscore the urgent need for political will and strategic reforms, lest North Macedonia slip further behind in the European integration process — with potentially irreversible consequences for its demographics and future stability.
