Double or quits: A Russian approach to North Macedonia and NATO
The Kremlin’s attempt to prevent North Macedonia joining NATO created some difficulties but proved to be rather clumsy and damaging to Russia’s own interests.
The Kremlin’s attempt to prevent North Macedonia joining NATO created some difficulties but proved to be rather clumsy and damaging to Russia’s own interests.
On 27-28 June 2018, the European Leadership Network hosted a roundtable discussion in the UK House of Lords examining the political, security and economic conditions in the Western Balkans and how best to promote stability and democratic reform across the region. The meeting was co-chaired by Lord Browne of Ladyton and ELN member and former Albanian Defence Minister, Fatmir Mediu.
Florian Bieber and Anastas Vangeli argue that Macedonian Premier Nikola Gruevski’s government has lost all legitimacy in the wake of excessive scandals. EU mediators in the country should now focus on facilitating a transition of power.
Tomasz Żornaczuk argues that Greek obstructionism has caused Macedonia to backtrack on reforms inspired by the promise of EU membership. Żornaczuk concludes that only sustained dialogue with Greece can resuscitate Macedonia’s reforms, and thus the prospect of Euro-Atlantic integration.