North Macedonia applied for EU membership in March 2004, and it was granted EU candidate status in 2005. The EU opened accession negotiations with North Macedonia in 2020 and held its first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia in July 2022. Bilateral screenings were successfully completed in 2023.
The programme “Knowledge or Reform Action in the Western Balkans” (K4R) has provided focused technical expertise in North Macedonia, tailored to the priorities established by the beneficiary and in line with the EU framework.
The K4R programme has played a pivotal role in supporting North Macedonia during the screening process for EU negotiations by carrying out gap analyses, producing procedural guidelines and offering on-the-job training for horizontal policy planning. The programme has worked closely with the core negotiation team, providing assistance in developing roadmaps and drafting parts of the country’s Reform Agenda in the areas of Internal Market, Resources, Agriculture & Cohesion and Fundamentals. K4R is instrumental in advancing the country’s alignment with the EU acquis - especially in areas like competition policy, state aid rules, antitrust, mergers and transport sector regulations.
The K4R programme has been a key driver in North Macedonia's progress toward EU membership, providing essential technical expertise throughout the accession process. By supporting the country during the bilateral screenings and helping to develop strategic roadmaps and parts of the country’s Reform Agenda, K4R has significantly advanced North Macedonia’s alignment with the EU acquis. Its contributions in critical areas such as competition policy, state aid, antitrust and transport regulations have further strengthened the country's capacity to meet EU standards, positioning it for successful integration into the EU.