Cal Poly Humboldt researchers traveled to North Macedonia in summer 2024 to participate in the excavation
Deep beneath the soil of North Macedonia, near the village of Crnobuki, a long-lost city is emerging from the shadows of history. For decades, archaeologists believed these ruins were simply the remains of a Roman-era military outpost
But new findings are rewriting the story of this site—now known as Gradishte—and uncovering what may be one of the most important cities in early European history
Although Gradishte was first mentioned in literature in 1966
little was known about it until recent years
It was only through careful excavation and the use of remote-sensing tools like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and ground-penetrating radar that the full scope of the site began to appear
In 2023, a research team led by North Macedonia’s Institute and Museum–Bitola and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) uncovered the foundations of an acropolis that spans over seven acres
The size and layout revealed that this was not just a defensive post
an archaeologist and anthropology professor at Cal Poly Humboldt
describes the find as “a once-in-a-lifetime discovery.” According to him
the acropolis was designed to protect an entire population from attack
“We see the array of infrastructure required to hold a city inside fortress walls,” he said
that the fortress was designed to hold a city.”
One of the more surprising finds was a small clay theater ticket. Most ancient theater tickets were made of metal and reused, making this discovery especially rare. “There’s never been a location in North Macedonia with a theater ticket that didn’t have a theater,” Angeloff said. Using LiDAR data
the team believes they’ve located what appears to be a Macedonian-style theater—not a Roman one—adding further weight to the city’s early origins
The most groundbreaking find was a coin minted between 325 and 323 BCE—during the lifetime of Alexander the Great
This coin pushed the city’s timeline back more than a century earlier than researchers had thought
they believed the city had been built during the reign of King Philip V
Other recovered items include stone axes, fragments of ceramic vessels
and even a possible clay ticket to a theatrical performance
These artifacts suggest the city was not only inhabited during Alexander’s time but may have been settled as far back as the Bronze Age
Carbon dating of bones and charcoal found at the site places its use between 360 BCE and 670 AD
That wide range shows the city’s long period of influence
from before the rise of the Roman Empire to well into the early medieval period
“This discovery is significant,” Angeloff explained
“It highlights the complex networks and power structures of ancient Macedonia
especially given the city’s location along trade routes to Constantinople.”
Some historians believe famous military leaders such as Octavian and Agrippa may have passed through this city on their way to fight Cleopatra and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium. Such connections place the site not just on the map of ancient Macedonia
but at the crossroads of broader world history
the theory that this site was the capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis grows stronger
The kingdom was settled in the 7th century BCE and later absorbed by King Philip II
“Every indication is pointing toward this being the city of Lyncus, within Lyncestis,” said Angeloff. Historical records suggest Queen Eurydice I, Alexander’s grandmother, may have been born here. Her political influence helped shape the rise of Macedonia and its push toward empire
“The ancient Macedonian state played a major role in the world’s history,” said Engin Nasuh, curator-advisor archaeologist at the National Institute and Museum–Bitola. “It is a civilization that helped shape today’s understanding of the world and the desire to connect different civilizations and cultures.”
The potential for discovery doesn’t end there
with teams of students and researchers from both the National Institute and Cal Poly Humboldt continuing to explore the site
This project has used some of the most advanced tools in modern archaeology. LiDAR, funded by Cal Poly Humboldt’s College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
allowed researchers to see beneath dense vegetation and soil
This helped them map structures that are invisible to the naked eye
Angeloff explained how the technology has reshaped the dig
“We were able to overlay and see what was underneath the ground,” he said
has enough rooms and infrastructure to support a city within fortress walls.”
This technology-driven approach has also helped prove something long suspected: the ruins once seen as minor are part of a much larger and older network of cities
These settlements formed the backbone of Macedonian power and culture long before Rome ever crossed the region’s borders
Nasuh believes each new artifact is part of a larger historical picture. “All these studies are just a small part of the research of early European civilizations,” he said
and our studies are just a few pebbles in that mosaic
the story of ancient Macedonia becomes clearer
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The collapse of Yugoslavia led the Republic of Macedonia to declare its independence on September 17
The mobility of Earth’s crust has also created two tectonic lakes, Prespa and Ohrid
in the southwest and has resulted in the formation of several mineral springs and hot springs
There are also several broad and fertile valleys that provide good potential for agriculture
North Macedonia stands at the junction of two main climatic zones, the Mediterranean and the continental
air breaks through mountain barriers to the north and south
bringing dramatically contrasting weather patterns; one example is the cold northerly wind known as the vardarec
there is a moderate continental climate: temperatures average in the low 30s F (about 0 °C) in January and rise to the high 60s and 70s F (about 20–25 °C) in July
between about 20 and 28 inches (about 500 and 700 mm)
Rainfalls of less than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in the driest months (July–August) rise to nearly 4 inches (about 100 mm) in October–November
Because of differences in local aspect and relief
there may be considerable variation in the climate
the eastern areas tending to have milder winters and hotter
drier summers and the western (more mountainous) regions having more severe winters
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Archaeologists in North Macedonia have uncovered the remains of a possibly long-lost ancient city far more ancient and important than previously known
the Gradishte archaeological site was widely believed to have been a 3rd-century BCE Macedonian outpost in the time of King Philip V
recent discoveries by a collaborative research team of the National Institute and Museum–Bitola and California State Polytechnic University
Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) have revealed a much deeper and richer history
the excavation took a thrilling turn when the team unearthed a coin that dates between 325 and 323 BCE
The discovery pushed the time period for peak activity at the site back to the period before
previously thought to have occurred during the reign of Philip V (221–179 BCE)
Additional carbon dating of organic materials such as charcoal and bone has placed the site from circa 360 BCE to as recent as 670 CE
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery,” said Nick Angeloff
an anthropology professor and archaeologist with Cal Poly Humboldt
“It highlights the complex networks and power structures of ancient Macedonia
especially given the city’s location along trade routes to Constantinople
It’s even possible that historical figures like Octavian and Agrippa passed through the area on their way to confront Cleopatra and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium,” added Angeloff
Angeloff and his team believe the location may be Lyncus
the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis—an autonomous Macedonian kingdom that resisted conquest until conquered by Philip II
It may also be the birthplace of Queen Eurydice I
who was politically influential and a key figure in the early formation of the Macedonian state
curator-advisor archaeologist at the National Institute and Museum–Bitola
stressed the importance of the rediscovery of the site
“We’re only beginning to scratch the surface of what we can learn about this period
until one day we get the entire picture.”
Nasuh also pointed out that the Gradishte site was first mentioned in literature in 1966 but remained
Humanities & Social Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt for providing funding
advanced tools have now revealed the city’s size
such as a seven-acre acropolis and what may be a Macedonian-style theater and textile workshop
it appears the city was a focal point in Upper Macedonia that influenced trade
the team of researchers is looking forward to uncovering even more information about the role this city played in the overall history of early European cultures and how they are connected to the rise of the ancient Macedonian state
More information: Cal Poly Humboldt
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Remains of what may be the ancient capital city of the Kingdom of Lyncestis have been found in North Macedonia
Archaeologists working in North Macedonia may have discovered the remains of Lyncus
an ancient city that was the capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis
More analysis is needed to support the finding but, if confirmed, the discovery could reveal the location of the place where Alexander the Great's paternal grandmother was born
Lyncestis was a small kingdom that flourished in North Macedonia
which was incorporated into the Macedonian Empire during the reign of King Philip II (359 to 336 B.C.)
the mother of Philip II and grandmother of Alexander (who reigned from 336 to 323 B.C.)
The survey revealed that the city had an acropolis that's at least 7 acres (2.8 hectares) in size
Besides the remains of a textile workshop and what appears to be a theater
the archaeologists also found a variety of artifacts
game pieces and even a theater ticket made of clay
(Image credit: Courtesy of Cal Poly Humboldt's Cultural Resources Facility)A ceramic token found in 2023 indicates that the site has a yet-to-be excavated theater
(Image credit: Courtesy of Cal Poly Humboldt's Cultural Resources Facility)A coin found at the site that was minted while Alexander the Great was still alive
researchers thought that the city was built long after Alexander the Great's death
during the reign of Philip V (221 to 179 B.C.)
But the discovery of a coin minted between 325 and 323 B.C
indicates that it was in use during Alexander's lifetime
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the team of archaeologists unearthed axes and fragments of ceramic vessels at the site
which shows that this site has been occupied by humans as far back as the Bronze Age (3300 to 1200 B.C.)
The site's discovery may shed more light on an influential kingdom
a curator at Macedonia's National Institute and Bitola Museum and one of the lead archaeologists
said in the statement that ancient Macedonia was "a civilization that played a major role in today's understanding of the world and the desire to connect different civilizations and cultures."
Editor's note: This story was first published on April 11
Owen JarusSocial Links NavigationLive Science ContributorOwen Jarus is a regular contributor to Live Science who writes about archaeology and humans' past
He has also written for The Independent (UK)
The Canadian Press (CP) and The Associated Press (AP)
Owen has a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Toronto and a journalism degree from Ryerson University.
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A groundbreaking new paper in the Journal of Archaeological Science has discredited a long-standing theory about one of the most famous royal tombs from ancient Greece
Long believed to be the grave of Philip II of Macedon
the so-called Tomb of Persephone at the Vergina Great Tumulus might contain the bones of another
is part of the royal burial complex at Aigai (now Vergina) in northern Greece
the complex comprises several tombs thought to belong to the Argead dynasty
many experts asserted that Tomb I contained the remains of Philip II
and his infant son—all of whom were said to be murdered in 336 BCE
possibly on the orders of Philip’s former wife Olympias
so that the throne would be secure for her son Alexander
Yannis Maniatis and an international team of archaeologists
and chemists presents a different scenario
Employing a suite of modern techniques—radiocarbon dating
and osteological examination—the researchers re-evaluated the skeletal remains
Their evidence conclusively rules out the theory that Philip II and his family were buried in Tomb I
The analysis showed that the male individual buried in the tomb was between 25 and 35 years old and stood about 167 cm tall
The calibrated radiocarbon dates place his death between 388 and 356 BCE—at least two decades before Philip II was assassinated
were also found and appear to date to the same time
“These findings exclude any association of this burial with Philip II of Macedon (died in 336 BCE)
as proposed by some authors,” the scientists wrote in their article
well known for its beautiful frescoes depicting the Abduction of Persephone
That initial opening could have paved the way for later intrusions
as additional remains of at least six infants
dating back to the Roman period (150 BCE to 130 CE)
these were likely interred when Roman-era parents used the tomb as a burial site for deceased newborns
While the adult male and female appear to have been high-ranking individuals
The beauty of the tomb and wall paintings suggests that the man may have been a royal
Others have speculated that the occupants may be Amyntas III (Alexander’s grandfather) or his sons
who both died during the newly established time frame
Strontium-isotope analysis also indicated that the male spent his childhood outside the region of Pella or Vergina
appeared to be a native of the greater Pella area and presumably died there
the researchers suggest that previous assumptions about the occupants of the tomb are no longer scientifically tenable
Even though the true identities of those buried are still unknown
the work offers a substantial revision of our understanding of Macedonian royal tombs
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First discovered in the 1960s, archaeologists have spent the last 15 years believing the Gradishte site was a military outpost to defend against Roman attack from the era of King Philip V (221 BCE to 179 BCE)
the site near the Macedonian village of Crnobuki
has turned out to be of far more historical significance
Archaeologists believe they’ve found the city of Lyncus
founded in the northernmost mountain region of Upper Macedonia
Lyncestis was an independent polity that held a useful trade route position on the way east to Lydia
Eurydice’s son Philip II of Macedon conquered Lyncestis in the 4th century BCE, bringing the independent state into the Kingdom of Macedon
to become the king of the Macedonian empire
“It is a civilization that played a major role in today's understanding of the world and the desire to connect different civilizations and cultures,” Engin Nasuh
curator-advisor archaeologist at the National Institute and Museum–Bitola says
The discovery of an Alexander the Great-era coin first suggested that the site was from an older period
North Macedonia’s Institute and Museum-Bitola and the California State Polytechnic University in Humboldt researchers used radar and LiDAR scanning to uncover the site
What they discovered was a seven acre acropolis that included a Macedonian theatre and a textile workshop. They continued to discover multiple stone axes
There’s now evidence that the site was occupied by humans since at least the Bronze Age (3,300-1,200 BCE)
especially given the city’s location along trade routes to Constantinople,” Nick Angeloff
an archaeologist at Cal Poly Humboldt called the Gradishte discovery
“This discovery is significant,” says Angeloff
especially given the city's location along trade routes to Constantinople
It’s even possible that historical figures like Octavian and Agrippa passed through the area on their way to confront Cleopatra and Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium.”
“All these studies are just a small part of the research of early European civilizations,” Nasuh says
for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
Protesters hold a banner that reads “The system is next” during a rally
Protesters light their mobile phones during a rally
Demonstrators marched past government offices and parliament and applauded medical staff at a nearby hospital for their response to the tragedy
“We want to continue living (in North Macedonia)
but we need to feel safe,” Milena Janevska
“We expect all those responsible for the tragedy in Kocani to be held accountable.”
The protests reflect growing frustration with the government’s handling of the disaster
The opposition Social Democrats called for the resignation of Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski
The corruption investigation into the fire has led to 13 arrests
including a former finance minister and seven senior police officers
Authorities are investigating bribery allegations and whether the club’s operating permits were illegally obtained
Health Minister Arben Taravari said 115 injured victims of the fire were still receiving treatment abroad
Those who attended the silent vigil held black balloons and placards
Our Lives.” Some local residents joined them
Twelve survivors of the fire are currently hospitalized in Greek civilian and military hospitals
many with severe burns and lung damage from smoke inhalation
which is close to the border with North Macedonia
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INFE North Macedonia is the twelfth fan club to reveal its points in the INFE Poll 2025
The ninth edition of the INFE Poll has continued with the twelfth set of results from INFE North Macedonia
INFE is the International Network of Fanclubs of Eurovision and is formed of twenty-five clubs across the continent
the club has been voting ahead of the contest on their favourite acts
Australia and Montenegro have now received their first points in the INFE Poll 2025
Image source: EBU / Nathan Reinds | Source: ESC Today
North Macedonia (previously competing as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998
two years earlier they attempted to participate but were knocked out in the pre-qualifying round
In 2016 they were represented by Kaliopi for a second time with the song “Dona”
she missed out on the final finishing in 11th in her semi-final
North Macedonia’s best result to date is a 7th place finish in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest represented by Tamara Todevska and the song “Proud”
it has been a pleasure to find out more about this amazing continent through the Eurovision Family of Events
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Sixteen graves have been dug at a local cemetary in Kocani
on Monday ahead of funerals of the nightclub fire victims
A grieving father said his son died trying to save others during a weekend inferno in a North Macedonia nightclub
as the nation grapples with the loss of dozens of young lives
A fire has torn through an overcrowded nightclub in North Macedonia
killing 59 and injuring 155 during a concert
cries holding a photograph of his son Tomche Stojanov
one of the victims of a massive nightclub fire
during a vigil joined by hundreds in the town of Kocani
A girl cries as she wait in line to write condolence messages for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
Women cry during a vigil for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
Relatives of victims leave a hospital in the town of Kocani
following a massive fire in the nightclub early Sunday
Women cry and wait in line to write condolence messages for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
Protesters hold placards as they march during protest following a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
People hit a car on its side while protesting near the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire
after a vigil for the victims in the town of Kocani
outside the home of the owner of a nightclub that was the scene of a massive fire
People wait in line to write condolence messages for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
Condolence messages for the victims of a massive nightclub fire are written in the town of Kocani
for the victims of a massive nightclub fire
Youngsters light candles for the victims of a massive nightclub fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani
A woman writes a condolence message for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
The building of a nightclub is damaged following a massive fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani
Support beams are charred in the partially collapsed roof of the building of a nightclub
damaged following a massive fire early Sunday in the town of Kocani
A charred ventilator on the wall of a nightclub building
An aerial photograph shows the site of a nightclub in the town of Kocani
A woman walks past North Macedonia flags flapping in the wind at half staff in front of a Government building in Skopje
following a massive fire in the nightclub in the town of Kocani
North Macedonia (AP) — As families gathered at a hospital for updates
Tomco Stojanov already knew his son’s devastating fate: 25-year-old Andrej died trying to save others in a nightclub fire that left dozens dead in North Macedonia
including many trampled during a desperate bid to escape
“He died while returning and entering to save other people
North Macedonia is grappling with the loss of dozens of young lives in Sunday’s nightclub inferno in the eastern town of Kocani
and trying to hold those responsible to account and prevent another calamity
Dragi Stojanov cries holding a photograph of his son Tomche Stojanov
Authorities were investigating allegations of bribery surrounding the fire in the nightclub
which was crammed with young revelers and at double capacity
Kocani’s mayor resigned Monday over the emerging scandal
Videos showed sparkling pyrotechnics on the stage hitting the club’s ceiling and igniting the blaze as a band played
Bribes to authorities to skip licensing requirements and skirt safety regulations are commonplace in North Macedonia
practices that have caught the attention of Western governments
The European Union has repeatedly expressed concerns over pervasive corruption in the country
identifying it as a major obstacle to the country’s accession to the bloc
Silent protests against corruption were held Monday in Kocani
joined by thousands of residents and separately by university students in Skopje
that is what we all expect so that there are no such similar situations in the future,” Stavre Janev said at the Kocani protest
with some toppling a van and smashing windows of a storefront — both belonging to one of the club owners
as a president,” North Macedonian President Gordana Davkova Siljanovska said in an address to the nation Sunday night
North Macedonia’s government ordered a sweeping three-day inspection to be carried out at all nightclubs and cabarets across the country
State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski said a preliminary inspection of the Club Pulse nightclub had revealed numerous safety code violations
an insufficient number of fire extinguishers and improper access for emergency vehicles
The fire caused the roof of the single-story building to partially collapse
revealing the charred remains of wooden beams and debris
I can confidently say that this is a failure of the system,” the prosecutor told reporters
also noting the lack of an overhead extinguisher system and fire alarms
and the use of flammable materials to line the inside walls
Interior Minister Panche Toshevski said it appeared the club’s owners paid bribes to former officials to issue a forged license and turn a blind eye to the venue operating far beyond capacity and in violation of fire code
Former economy minister Khreshnik Beteshi was being questioned at a police station in Skopje
The country was in mourning as people watched harrowing scenes in the town of 25,000 people
where rescuers for hours carried out the grim task of removing the charred bodies of clubgoers
A state coroner said the bodies were being brought for identification in batches from morgues due to the high number of people killed
Flags around the country have been lowered to half-staff
with 20 of the injured in critical condition
Serbia and Turkey — along with a number of others have already accepted some 50 patients with the most serious injuries
while several countries are also sending medical teams to North Macedonia
“All patients who have been transferred abroad are currently in stable condition
We hope it stays that way and that we will receive positive news from abroad,” Taravari said
Officials said 10 people remain in police custody for questioning in Kocani
some 115 kilometers (72 miles) east of the capital
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski added that a preliminary inspection revealed the club was operating without a proper license
He said the number of people inside the club was at least double its official capacity of 250
Condolences poured in from leaders around Europe as well as from the office of the hospitalized Pope Francis
A toy and flowers are placed next to condolence books for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
Kocani’s residents held a candlelight vigil in support of mourning families
waiting in long lines to light church candles
said North Macedonia has never experienced a tragedy like this
with dozens of young people vanishing in minutes
She noted that many young people with bright futures had already left the nation
North Macedonia “is on its death bed,” Delovska said
the health system is completely dismantled
judiciary is partisan and corrupt to the bone,” she said
“I do believe now that only God can save (North) Macedonia.”
A protester holds her mobile phone as thousands gather for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
A man lights candles during a vigil in the town of Kocani
2025 following a massive fire in a nightclub early Sunday
Thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
People attend a vigil in the town of Kocani
People light candles as thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani
North Macedonia (AP) — The deadly nightclub fire in North Macedonia at the weekend has struck the young of this country the most
with the emotional devastation it brought apparent everywhere
already doubtful about its future amid the young republic’s economic troubles
has been at the forefront of an outpouring of grief and anger
The disaster also exposed deep-seated frustrations among them
14-year-old Mila Krstevska said she is shocked and disappointed
“I am very angry about everything that happened,” she told The Associated Press
“It’s a sad thing to go to a disco to have fun and then turn to ashes.”
“I am disappointed in our country,” she added
nia but I would like to go abroad when I am older.”
North Macedonia’s unemployment rate is 12.8%
according to the International Monetary Fund
Almost one-fifth of those aged 15-24 are neither working nor in school or getting training
according to most-recent data from the International Labor Organization
The tiny Balkan nation has been on the candidate list to join the European Union for 20 years
but the process has been held up by disputes with neighbors and the slow pace of vital reforms
undermined by volatile partisan politics and stagnation
Polling in 2024 shows that they support EU membership
but less than 20% believe their nation will join within five years
The Berlin-based monitor Transparency International ranked North Macedonia in 88th place globally on its Corruption Perception Index last year
Authorities say Club Pulse had numerous and serious safety violations
while Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said the venue’s operating licence was for the wrong type of establishment and potentially obtained illegally
tomorrow other buildings or schools will burn if the situation continues to be like this (with corruption),” Veljko Krstevski
a security guard at the club who survived the fire
“At the same time we also know that many of our politicians with forged diplomas are taking high positions
Then how do you expect people in this town
to feel like that there can be any change?”
Sunday’s fire is the first major tragedy for their generation
born after North Macedonia’s independence from war-torn former Yugoslavia
Candlelight vigils and demonstrations in the wake of the tragedy have been led by the young
angry and very sad… I’m angry at everything
at people who failed to align with security measures
at parents who didn’t stop their kids from going to the nightclub,” said Aleksandra Petrovska
placing thin yellow candles in trays of sand
Justice!” overturned a van as police stood by without stepping in
then used chairs and umbrella stands to trash a cafeteria run by one of the nightclub’s owners
television presenters are dressed in black on air
Flowers and candles are left in central locations of every town and city
Skopje social worker and therapist Tanja Marcekic said the fire has profoundly impacted young people
“There is a sense of revolt and great dissatisfaction
“I also see another side of young people — how they organize themselves
Maybe that is the best way to improve their mental health.”
who left North Macedonia to pursue a better life in Germany
used to visit the nightclub when they were still in school
“This could have happened to anyone,” he said
Associated Press writer Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed to this report
North Macedonia — A massive fire tore through a nightclub in North Macedonia 's eastern town of Kocani early Sunday
during a concert by a local pop group at Club Pulse
Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski told reporters
He said 39 of the dead had so far been identified
pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire
with young people running through the smoke as the musicians urged people to escape as quickly as possible
As relatives gathered outside hospitals to await news
Kocani resident Dragi Stojanov was informed that his 21-year-old son Tomce had died in the fire
"One hundred and fifty families have been devastated."
Officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals around the country
The effort was being assisted by multiple volunteer organizations
Health Minister Arben Taravari said 118 people have been hospitalized
adding that he had received offers of assistance from neighboring countries
"All our capabilities have been put to use
in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy," Taravari told reporters
This is the worst tragedy in recent memory to befall the landlocked nation
President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited burn victims at a hospital in Skopje and spoke to parents waiting outside the building
hard to believe how this happened," she said
"We must give these young people courage to continue."
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote: "This is a difficult and very sad day for Macedonia
The loss of so many young lives is irreparable
Family members gathered in front of hospitals and city offices in Kocani
some 115 kilometers (72 miles) east of Skopje
The club was in an old building that was previously a carpet warehouse and has been running for several years
Police cordoned off the site and sent in evidence gathering teams in an operation also involving state prosecutors
said several people were being questioned by police but gave no further details and stressed that the cause of the blaze was still being investigated
Interior ministry officials said authorities would investigate the venue's licensing and safety provisions
adding that the government had a "moral responsibility" to help prosecute anyone responsible
but he didn't provide details on the person's involvement
As they awoke to news of the overnight tragedy
the country's immediate neighbors and leaders from further afield in Europe sent condolences
posted on X that she was "deeply saddened" and said the 27-nation bloc "shares the grief and pain of the people of North Macedonia." North Macedonia is a candidate for EU membership
Condolences also poured in from politicians across the region
including Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama
and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
"I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery
Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day," Zelenskyy wrote on X
Pyrotechnics have often been the cause of deadly fires in nightclubs
including the one at the Colectiv club in Bucharest
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DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I'm grateful for North Macedonia's formal acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
North Macedonia's acceptance demonstrates its commitment to the multilateral trading system and the WTO
and underscores all members' shared interest in responsible fisheries resource management
This acceptance provides further momentum for the entry into force of this important agreement for people and the planet.”
Bilali said: “By joining this agreement
North Macedonia reaffirms its dedication to the conservation of marine resources and the fight against harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing.”
North Macedonia's instrument of acceptance brings to 91 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the Agreement
Twenty more formal acceptances are needed for the Agreement to come into effect
The Agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership
Adopted by consensus at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12)
the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies sets new
multilateral rules to curb harmful subsidies
which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world's fish stocks
the Agreement recognizes the needs of developing economies and least-developed countries and establishes a fund to provide technical assistance and capacity building to help them implement the obligations
The Agreement prohibits subsidies for illegal
and for fishing on the unregulated high seas
Members also agreed at MC12 to continue negotiations on outstanding issues
with a view to adopting additional provisions that would further enhance the disciplines of the Agreement
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The very first Twinning project in North Macedonia implemented in 2004-2005 provided a real breakthrough experience for the Macedonian administration in terms of the acquis and all the steps needed in the country's accession to the EU
was very enthusiastic about providing its very fresh accession experience
the Slovenian counterparts provided very frank advice on the ways forward in the EU accession process
It was a very complex Twinning project with an extensive team consisting of 64 experts coming to assist various institutions in North Macedonia
Project outcomes include an electronic archiving application and database at the Secretariat of Legislation as well as numerous law amendment proposals
including the Law on Civil Servants and amending the rules of procedure Macedonian Assembly
Here is how the project is remembered today by the two project leaders
Former Deputy Minister for European affairs from Slovenia and Dragan Tilev
State Counselor for EU Affairs from North Macedonia:
Andrej Engelman: It was the first Slovenian Twinning
launched just a few months after our accession to the EU
Slovenian experts were very keen to share their very fresh knowledge and experiences
they were met by partners who were highly motivated to receive assistance and implement the proposed recommendations
I am convinced that these two facts were key to the successful implementation of the project
The project has achieved many results: coordination structures for EU accession were established within the Government and with the Parliament
draft laws and guidance documents in the field of Internal Market were prepared; a terminology database was set up
nomotechnical guidelines for the transposition of the acquis have been drawn up
knowledge and awareness about the EU were substantially raised among the Macedonian administration
the most valuable outcome of the project is the long-lasting partnership between experts
We are still in contact and regularly exchange our views even 18 years after the project has ended
Dragan Tilev: The Macedonian first-ever Twinning project is one of the best experiences in my long professional career working on the EU integration process of my country
It was successful to the level that has exceeded all our expectations
right after the historic Thessaloniki Summit in 2003
we were allowed for the first time to benefit from the TAIEX and Twinning
Thanks to the assistance and guidance from the Slovenian administration
we successfully completed the Questionnaire and became a candidate country in 2005
completely ready to start accession negotiations in 2006
Slovenian relevant experience helped us to reorganise our EU integration institutional coordination mechanism and to raise the level of the Sector of EU integration to a level of the Secretariat for European Affairs at the beginning of 2005
The established EU coordination structure is still in place and fully functional
which shows that the project is sustainable up to the present day
The work of the Twinning project in the Parliament was really a pioneering effort
and the three-day workshop was even broadcast on television
The experience and knowledge of Slovenian experts
thanks to excellent project leadership and precise planning
were also spread throughout several line ministries responsible in the area of the internal market
one of the most important sectors within the EU-North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Agreement
The friendship established through this Twinning lasts over all these years to the current day
and was a kind of entry ticket for further assistance in the following years
recalled that the Prespa Agreement was signed and ratified in 2018
a process that was followed by an unsuccessful referendum and constitutional changes
legally became the Republic of North Macedonia
Underscoring that “what is legal is not always just and legitimate”
it has not acted in accordance with the right to self-determination
“The line that divides the legal from the just is sometimes merely a crack
but other times it is a deep gap and even an abyss,” she said
adding that such abyss most often and most severely affects the small nations
She also stressed that her country’s European Union membership — after 20 years of negotiations — resembles Mr
encouraged by international representatives with the refrain “just this one condition more”
The stagnation of the European integration not only demotivates her country’s citizens and slows down reforms
but also destabilizes the region of South-East Europe
“Enlargement must be tied to the meritocratic Copenhagen criteria and freed from the veto linked to the attempt to revise history and disrespect national and cultural identity,” she said
calling for fair unblocking of the negotiations for European Union membership and rejecting double standards
“The European reunification is like an unfinished symphony without us,” she stated
noting that the full integration of the Balkans into the bloc will end the redrawing of borders and balkanization as a phenomenon
In the most famous dialogue about power and justice
Thucydides recalls that “justice is a word that has value in disputes between men only when both sides are of equal strength; in other cases
“the UN exists to ennoble the cruel Thucydian world by securing legal equality among nations
taming the power of the great and protecting small nations”
The Organization exists to bridge — or at least narrow — the gap between the legal and the just
While the UN has prevented another world war
it failed to prevent and preclude regional conflicts
including the war in Ukraine and the bloodshed in the Middle East
It has lifted millions of people from poverty but still fails to eradicate hunger
With the right to self-determination
it accelerated the process of decolonization but failed to bridge the gap between the rich North and the poor South
is “the ultimate instance of justice between States”
yet its judgments are not always implemented or even treated as advice
The world is going through a turbulent geopolitical
technological and industrial transformation in which man has a huge impact on the planet
“And instead of increased cooperation and action on pressing issues
the geopolitical rivalry and the new arms race are intensifying that are rapidly pushing us towards a state resembling a new
second cold war and Orwell’s world too,” she cautioned
To overcome political marginalization
a new spirit of multilateralism is needed to alleviate geopolitical rivalries and increase cooperation among States
“Only a fundamentally reformed United Nations can bridge the gap between the legal and the just and contribute to a truly transformed world in which no one is left behind and forgotten,” she declared
Listen to and download the full statement in mp3 format
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the conservative center-right opposition Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization–Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) rode its own wave of dissatisfaction with the slow pace of EU integration burdened by bilateral demands from Bulgaria and unrealized domestic reforms
The partners have agreed on a set of priorities that include the economy
A slew of urgent tasks lies ahead for the new government in these areas
but also in tackling other pressing challenges regarding youth and emigration as well as cooperation with civil society
Addressing these priorities—domestically and internationally—will require astutely walking a tightrope amid citizens’ demands for a change in the status quo
While the transatlantic community will remain preoccupied with a political transition in the European Union (EU) and elections the United States over the next six months
the new government in North Macedonia will have time to prepare its reform agenda and engage international partners on achieving common goals
The modus operandi of all Macedonian governments since independence is no longer tenable
A paradigm shift is needed to pursue reforms that benefit all North Macedonia’s citizens
This policy brief is a compilation of expert analyses that serve as a kind of reform agenda—a road map of policy recommendations for the new Macedonian government in several key areas the coalition partners have already identified as priorities
The first section by Branimir Jovanović outlines how the government can revive the fragile economy and deliver on important public investments
The second section by Malinka Ristevska Jordanova argues the need to shift the EU narrative in North Macedonia and double down on reforms at home to unlock the path to EU accession
The third section by Biljana Ivanovska outlines how the new government can reduce risk factors for corruption and take a holistic approach to tackling the problem
The fourth section by Sara Milenkovska looks at how the new government can improve the approach to youth policies and address the challenges confronting the country’s youth
the fifth section by Lura Pollozhani provides a series of recommendations for how civil society can better engage the new government and how the government can reap the benefits of a constructive partnership with the country’s civic sector
The brief concludes with a section outlining all these tangible policy recommendations for North Macedonia’s new government
These recommendations will serve as a useful tool for civil society and the international community in advocating for North Macedonia’s further democratic progress and European integration
North Macedonia’s new government faces several challenges
These are not limited to the dire fiscal situation and the tricky task of supporting a faltering economy while working within budgetary constraints
They also include deep-seated structural issues born from decades of governments pursuing a flawed economic model
the money was still spent and will continue to be spent
The second challenge will be supporting the fragile economy, which grew just 1.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024
Even this modest growth was largely due to the generous fiscal package mentioned above
the new government must think of something quickly if it wants to avoid a recession
Mickoski did not say how he plans to support the economy
only cryptically stating his preference for investment over public consumption
This suggests that the economy is likely to decelerate in the second half of the year and might even slip into a recession after the expiration of the current fiscal package
Most troubling, VMRO-DPMNE’s electoral program lacks the structural reforms needed to address North Macedonia’s outdated economic model
It merely echoes programs from former prime minister Nikola Gruevski’s time in office
recycling outdated concepts such as the regulatory guillotine
offering public-sector employees to private firms
and closing old and opening new state agencies and ministries
In addition to securing a loan to address the country’s urgent fiscal challenges
the new government must enhance fiscal revenues over a longer term by implementing a progressive tax system
It should impose higher taxes on higher-income brackets
the government should increase the minimum wage
it should accelerate public investments in infrastructure
Finally, structural reforms are crucial to overhaul the outdated economic model. The government should introduce a strategic industrial policy to support key economic sectors
fostering innovation and international competitiveness
Investments in public services such as education
and social protection need to be significantly increased to enhance the quality of life and productivity
The current exploitative model must be replaced with one that emphasizes equality and ensures the benefits of growth are broadly shared across the population rather than captured by a small
Macedonia’s (imposed) bilateral agreements with Greece and Bulgaria have become a tool for these neighboring countries—EU and NATO members—to further exert pressure on the Macedonian side for concessions on issues of identity and history rather than serve as a demonstration of solidarity
while the enlargement process has returned to the EU agenda with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
it did not actually make the EU perspective for Western Balkan countries
the EU enlargement agenda was tied to the future EU internal reform agenda
and new proposals for gradual or partial integration of the Western Balkan countries came to the forefront
Lacking the majority in the Macedonian parliament needed to deliver the promised first step in fulfilling Bulgaria’s numerous conditions—constitutional amendment to include the 3,504 Macedonian citizens that identify as ethnic Bulgarians in the 2022 census as a minority community—the former government (strongly supported by international partners) failed to deliver its promise to the EU
Around 65 percent of Macedonian citizens are against the constitutional amendment—80 percent of the majority ethnic Macedonian community is against them
while 53 percent of the Albanian ethnic minority community is in favor
Nourishing ethnic division and polarization
the twisted national European agenda has turned into a perpetual response to vetoes rather than a genuine process of Europeanization
Furthermore, marred by “constructiveness” in bilateral relations and promises that EU accession negotiations will automatically bring reform and well-being, backsliding on reforms related to EU membership
The distorted EU agenda was a key factor in the opposition VMRO-DPMNE’s victory in the recent parliamentary and presidential elections
led by VMRO-DPMNE and largely perceived internationally as “nationalist,” will face a critical challenge: How can it inject credibility into the EU reform process
without compromising its promises to the electorate
The Macedonian EU narrative needs an essential shift—from fulfilling bilaterally imposed conditions that have nothing to do with EU accession criteria toward genuine economic and normative convergence with the EU
Instead of short-term concessions for small rewards
a long-term approach that protects national interests should be designed and implemented
A consistent and cohesive national strategy for EU accession needs to be developed and meticulously pursued domestically and internationally
An inclusive approach based on dialogue and arguments is essential in this process
a decisive commitment to upholding EU standards on democracy
and the rule of law while at the same time fulfilling the expectations of Macedonian citizens
EU-related reforms must be domestically driven and embedded in a consistent
Significant improvements are necessary to put the policymaking cycle on track
the transposition of the EU acquis should be well-planned and methodologically consistent
only depoliticized institutions can support the societal change needed for genuine Europeanization
The institutional setup for EU accession negotiations and management of the EU integration process should be streamlined and resources pooled
Developing capacity for the absorption of EU funds
in parallel with improving the national policymaking process
the Macedonian authorities’ dialogue within the region
and internationally needs to be significantly intensified and elevated to prevent further bilateralization of the EU accession process and protect crucial national interests
Macedonian authorities should take better advantage of their NATO membership
as well as membership in other international organizations
and foster sustainable and constructive relations with their partners
constantly evolving and intertwined with diverse economic
The negative effects of corruption are profound and far-reaching
Corrupt behavior undermines confidence in institutions and the efficient use of public resources
It threatens democracy and the exercise of human rights due to the erosion of social values
Through a systematic approach and assessment of corruption risks pertaining to spending public funds or abusing official positions in the public sector, the Macedonian State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption prepared a National Strategy for Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest (2021-2025)
was adopted in 2020 by the Assembly of North Macedonia
the efficacy of this strategy hinges on the thorough execution of the accompanying Action Plan
Corruption manifests through various channels
with several common denominators identified across sectors
Political interference in the public sphere
and a culture of impunity all contribute to its proliferation
and inconsistent regulations create fertile ground for corrupt practices to thrive
A multifaceted approach is imperative to tackle corruption effectively
Strengthening integrity lies at the core of this endeavor
Personal and institutional integrity can be strengthened by fostering a merit-based value system and promoting ethical behavior
ensuring the impartial enforcement of the rule of law and establishing independent and transparent institutions are vital steps in combating corruption’s entrenched presence
Transparency and accountability are powerful weapons in the fight against corruption
Embracing digitalization initiatives can enhance transparency
and minimize opportunities for malfeasance
robust accountability mechanisms must be enforced to hold perpetrators accountable and deter future misconduct
Strengthening supervisory and control mechanisms will further bolster anti-corruption efforts
providing additional safeguards against the abuse of power.Legislative reforms are indispensable in fortifying the anti-corruption framework
Legal accountability must be enforced through rigorous prosecution of corrupt individuals
supported by legislation on the origin of property to curtail illicit wealth accumulation
protecting whistleblowers and fostering public awareness are necessary to empower citizens to report corruption without fear of reprisal
with public officials answerable for their actions and decisions
coupled with integrity-driven recruitment and human resource policies
are essential to cultivate a culture of accountability within public institutions
Institutional capacity-building and strengthening law enforcement agencies
equipping them with the resources and expertise to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption cases
The private sector also plays a pivotal role in anti-corruption efforts
Regulatory frameworks should be implemented to promote transparency and integrity in private-sector operations
mitigating the risk of collusion and bribery
civil society and media engagement are indispensable in fostering public awareness and scrutiny
Cooperation among relevant stakeholders is indispensable in translating anti-corruption rhetoric into tangible action
Prioritizing the recommendations of anti-corruption agencies and fostering interstate cooperation can also attract collective expertise and resources to combat corruption effectively at all levels
addressing corruption in North Macedonia demands a holistic approach that encompasses legislative reforms
and fostering cooperation among stakeholders can pave the way for a more efficient anti-corruption future
In Macedonian politics, youth have been paid lip service but have not seen a substantial improvement in their situation. Contrary to the popular narrative in the media that youth in North Macedonia are apathetic, young people have led societal change and played a crucial role in civil society
Still, a recent survey by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy shows that young people in North Macedonia are disillusioned and disengaged
Only 31 percent of youth surveyed believe the country is moving in the right direction
and a mere 3 percent are fully satisfied with their place in society
Six out of ten respondents feel they cannot impact government decisions
and only 22 percent think the government is addressing youth issues
with 71 percent describing themselves as inactive citizens
and just 8 percent have tried to solve societal problems
90 percent have never participated in civic or nongovernmental organizations
half of all surveyed do not believe voting can influence the country’s situation
The NYCM noted that the final document adopted by the government differed from what had been collaboratively created
Respondents also pointed to a lack of implementation
A key recommendation for further implementation is to introduce a dedicated budget for youth within municipal and state budgets
this would ensure transparency and accountability in fund allocation
In October 2022, the Agency of Youth and Sport, with the support of the international community and youth organizations, began developing the National Youth Strategy for 2023-2027
This strategic document was supposed to set medium-term goals and priorities for youth policy development and promote the interests of young people in North Macedonia
As important as it is that youth organizations are not giving up on these processes
there is a need for a strong and clear approach on the part of the government to implement the strategy
some of the recommendations that the future government can take include:
VMRO-DPMNE doesn’t have a good track record of working with civil society
the new government must clearly commit to strengthening civil society engagement to foster stronger partnerships with youth-led organizations and civil society groups that can amplify youth voices and address their concerns effectively
The new government has reconstructed the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy to create the Ministry of Social Policy
While the new ministry’s scope includes the aspects of youth policy
its broader mandate includes many other areas
which may dilute the focus on youth if not properly balanced and prioritized
North Macedonia can leverage its demographic dividend by focusing on youth empowerment
and providing opportunities for meaningful participation
Even with the right support systems in place and its youth’s energy
and passion a significant transformation across all areas of society cannot occur without a clear political will
CSOs “continue to operate in an enabling environment” in North Macedonia
more needs to be done to integrate them into the government’s work and
to support the inclusion and the work of an independent civil society
The government of North Macedonia has a Department for Cooperation with Civil Society Organizations within its General Secretariat. This department follows the implementation of the strategy for cooperation with and development of the civic sector and its 2022-2024 Action Plan
which is ongoing and has seriously affected cooperation and trust between the government and the civil sector
It has also hampered the implementation of the abovementioned strategy
This conflict has exposed the need to make cooperation more organic and less dependent on the politics of the day
There needs to be a way to safeguard the environment of CSOs by establishing a secure budgetary framework that is only revised with their input
Regarding the visibility of CSOs and their work
political participation of marginalized groups
one persistent issue is the inclusiveness of these organizations
Many CSOs that receive and secure more funding are based in Skopje
They are generally organizations with a history of funding
making it harder for new players to come along
There is also the issue of outreach depending on the CSOs’ target audience
posts and publications are rarely translated into local languages other than Macedonian unless the organization’s primary work is on interethnic issues
The same goes for the inclusion of other marginalized groups or doubly marginalized groups
act as one of the main enablers of democracy in the country
An annual session between the government and CSOs should be instituted to assess the government’s priorities as well as the needs of the field arising from the work of CSOs
These annual sessions should resemble the government’s regular weekly sessions
where ministers provide updates on their ministries’ activities and set out the work envisioned ahead
it would be best to set a date and time for these meetings that coincide with the EU Progress Reports
CSOs are already included in the Program of the Government
but there needs to be more direct contact between ministers and CSO representatives
There needs to be more investment in creating an enabling environment for CSOs at the local level
This can be achieved by instituting local councils to foster better cooperation between CSOs and local government
financial support for the work of CSOs with public money must be based on the needs of CSOs and determined in a consultative process between the government and CSOs
the government should also secure a fund for inclusiveness for CSOs that want to reach out to marginalized groups but lack the resources
This may include language interpretation and translation or the installation of ramps and other supporting infrastructure
CSOs should be encouraged to cooperate by funding projects involving at least one partner from another city and community
This would ensure that CSOs connect and engage beyond Skopje
North Macedonia is once again at a crossroads
the country has the opportunity to move forward
It can serve as a success story for the region
unable to advance on EU accession and reluctant to implement domestic reforms
further becoming a cautionary tale for other countries in the region
The EU’s approach to the region and North Macedonia over the past decade or more is partly to blame for the present situation
ensure that bilateral issues remain outside of the accession process
The Union must regain its credibility in the region and North Macedonia
The enlargement process was and should remain based on merits
It is in the EU’s own interest that discussions around integration focus on European values and democratic standards
not debates about national identity and history
By focusing on democratic values and standards
from the fight against corruption to improving living standards
North Macedonia’s government and citizens will also be reinvigorated to make concrete
as described in this brief and outlined below
will serve to kickstart this process in North Macedonia and allow it to become the region’s success story
curating news on politics and society in North Macedonia
Biljana Ivanovska is an economist and currently an adviser at North Macedonia’s Audit Authority for IPA Funds
she served as the president of the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (2019–2024)
Ivanovska started her career in parliament
where she worked for six years in the parliamentary commissions for economic affairs
She then continued her work at the Ministry of Finance where she was head of the Budget and Funds Department
she spent thirteen years at the State Audit Office as a principal auditor carrying out audits of state bodies
Branimir Jovanović is an economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
focusing on the economies of the Western Balkans
His research primarily explores topics such as economic inequality
He served as an adviser to the minister of finance of North Macedonia from 2017 to 2019 and was a researcher at the National Bank of North Macedonia from 2007 to 2015
He also participated in the social protests in his native North Macedonia from 2014 to 2016
Sara Milenkovska is a researcher and co-founder of the Stella Network
and inequality from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a master in strategic communications from Institute for Communication Studies Skopje
Her research delves into youth and systemic inequality
Lura Pollozhani is a researcher at the University of Graz
researching social movements in the Western Balkans as well as EU enlargement
Her other research interests include radicalization
citizenship practices in divided societies
She completed her PhD in law and politics at the University of Graz and earned an MSc in European studies: ideas and identities at the London School of Economics
Pollozhani worked as an adviser to the prime minister of North Macedonia on cooperation with international organizations between 2019 and 2020
She is one of the co-founders of the Stella Network
and is a member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group
Malinka Ristevska Jordanova has been engaged in the EU integration process since the late nineties
holding high public administration positions in the Macedonian parliament and government
She made special contributions to the candidacy of the Republic of Macedonia for its accession to the EU and road map for visa liberalization
Ristevska Jordanova is a former director (from 2011 to February 2017) of the Macedonian think tank European Policy Institute
Jordanova has focused on the application of the EU policy of conditionality in the region
as well as on the transposition of the EU acquis
The Europe Center promotes leadership
and forward-looking transatlantic relationship
Image: North Macedonian opposition party VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski celebrates with his party members
following the parliamentary elections and second round of the presidential election in Skopje
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Luxembourg and Norway – made immediate offers of assistance via the mechanism
several patients have been evacuated to Hungary by Luxembourg and Romania is transporting patients to Lithuania
The EU is now coordinating the transportation of further patients to countries that have offered treatment
The EU remains in close contact with the national authorities in North Macedonia and stands ready to mobilise more assistance if needed
said: “We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected
The EU stands in solidarity with the people of North Macedonia at this difficult time
I thank European countries for quickly offering treatment and assistance to the victims via our Civil Protection Mechanism.”
North Macedonia abstained from two UN resolutions condemning Russia's aggression in Ukraine
a decision that reflected the country’s alignment with its key ally
amid complex geopolitical dynamics in Europe
the country's Foreign minister has told Euronews in an interview
because there was no alignment within the Common Foreign and Security Policy within the European Union
we chose to vote aligned with our strategic partner
adding: "This means that we do support Ukraine
and we do support the necessity of protecting Ukraine's integrity and territorial sovereignty
We also agree that there needs to be a path toward peace."
Mucunski justified North Macedonia's stance by highlighting the crucial role of the White House in the ongoing ceasefire talks while acknowledging Ukraine's sovereignty
"We absolutely support the process that is being led by the Trump administration
as well as the whole team in finding a peaceful solution as soon as possible
I think the United States has extremely capable diplomats," Mucunski stated
Ukraine is a sovereign nation that must make decisions for itself," he concluded
Despite his commitment to maintaining strong ties with the US
Mucunski said that North Macedonia remains aligned with European objectives
He said that there are three main constants and variables to North Macedonia's foreign policy that it seeks to uphold
"One of them is 100% alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy
And the third is our strategic partnership
We have a formal strategic partnership with the US," he said
20 years ago North Macedonia applied for EU membership and achieved candidate status
but the country’s accession has stalled due to ongoing disputes with Bulgaria over a constitutional change
"If we have confidence that there are institutional guarantees in place
is playing by the same rules we are when it comes to the protection of minority rights—specifically regarding the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria—then it's not about constitutional changes
but about finding a path forward," Mucunski said
Mucunski demanded clear answers: "Will this be the final compromise
Will we know that if these constitutional amendments are made
there will be no veto six months or a year down the road due to a bilateral issue?"
Skopje also faces renewed tensions with Greece concerning its name
with some ministers refusing to include the prefix 'North' for the country
despite the conclusion of the Prespa agreement that ended a three decades-long dispute over the naming
"I will never be able to say to you that I am happy with the Prespa Agreement
that I believe the Prespa Agreement is good
or that I believe the changing of the name of a nation is fair
especially in the 21st century," the foreign minister said
I understand that the principle of pacta sunt servanda and that agreements must be kept
Mucunski stressed the importance of EU enlargement
particularly to counter Russia's growing influence in the Balkans
"I think enlargement is necessary for many reasons
one of the key reasons is to reduce Russia's malign influence in our region," he said
Beyond the bilateral problems with Greece and Bulgaria
the European Commission also points out limited progress on strengthening judicial independence and serious concerns on corruption
as obstacles to the start of accession negotiations
North Macedonia (AP) — A massive fire tore through a nightclub in North Macedonia ’s eastern town of Kocani early Sunday
local time during a concert by a local pop group at Club Pulse
Officials said 39 of the dead had so far been identified
adding that 18 of those injured were in critical condition
Toshkovski said following an initial assessment that pyrotechnics likely caused the roof to catch fire
Videos showed sparkling pyrotechnics on the stage hitting the ceiling followed by scenes of chaos inside the club
relatives gathered in front of hospitals and city offices in Kocani
Local resident Dragi Stojanov was informed that his 21-year-old son Tomce had died in the fire
I don’t need my life anymore… 150 families have been devastated,” he said
just corpses inside (the club).” Condolences poured in from leaders around Europe as well as from the office of Pope Francis who has been in hospital for the last month
Health Minister Arben Taravari said he had received offers of assistance from neighboring countries
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also sent messages of support
“I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery
Ukraine mourns alongside our (North) Macedonian friends on this sad day,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X
health officials said the injured have been taken to hospitals around the country
many being treated for severe burns and smoke inhalation
“All our capabilities have been put to use
in a maximum effort to save as many lives as possible of the young people involved in this tragedy,” Taravari told reporters
The fire is the worst tragedy in recent memory to befall the landlocked nation
and the latest in a slew of deadly nightclub fires around the world
READ MORE: Fire at Istanbul nightclub under renovation kills at least 29 people
“It’s terrible … hard to believe how this happened,” she said
“We must give these young people courage to continue.”
State prosecutor Ljubco Kocevski said several people were being questioned by police but gave no further details and stressed that the cause of the blaze was still being investigated
Interior ministry officials said authorities would investigate the venue’s licensing and safety provisions
adding that the government had a “moral responsibility” to help prosecute anyone responsible
but he didn’t provide details on the person’s involvement
Pyrotechnics have often been the cause of deadly fires in nightclubs
including the one at the Colectiv club in Bucharest
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As North Macedonia looks beyond a period of multiple overlapping shocks
it is timely for the country to take steps to achieve lasting fiscal consolidation
without a sustained and sufficient medium-term fiscal adjustment
fiscal and macroeconomic risks could escalate
with further rises in borrowing costs affecting private sector
and dragging on the overall economic recovery
Full Report | Press Release | Infographic
The report calls for restoring fiscal sustainability and rebuilding buffers through a set of policy measures
North Macedonia has a potential to improve its tax efficiency and increase the collections
The World Bank report argues a potential to raise tax revenues by 3.5 percentage points of GDP in the short term to support fiscal consolidation and sustainable growth
and increasing environmental and property taxation
the country should prioritize strengthening tax administration to improve compliance and revenue collection
Although North Macedonia spends less on public administration compared to its EU peers
the report highlights the need to enhance public administration effectiveness
The government should implement reforms to improve efficiency and professionalize public administration
Savings achieved over the medium term through staff rationalization
should be reinvested in promoting professional and high-performing personnel based on strengthened performance management
Numerous small local government units and significant regional disparities in North Macedonia affect the service delivery
and lead to high administrative costs and inefficiencies
it is essential to redefine spending responsibilities to avoid duplication
and achieve economies of scale through decentralization or territorial reorganization
To address the challenges of an aging society
North Macedonia needs to improve the efficiency of public spending and expand access to high-quality health care services
and coordination across healthcare providers
as well as developing a sustainable long-term care system and reorganizing the hospital sector
Increasing health taxes would contribute to lower incidence of non-communicable diseases and avert premature deaths
The social assistance reform in North Macedonia has improved coverage and benefit adequacy
but further efforts are needed to sustain and enhance poverty-targeted programs
The report recommends ensuring that the reform reaches all eligible individuals
expanding coverage to protect against new vulnerabilities
implementing "make-work-pay" benefit reforms
and intensifying activation measures for the long-term unemployed
North Macedonia's pension deficit is high and will increase further without reform
the report suggests several policy options
including reversing the recently introduced price-wage (so-called Swiss) pension indexation pattern back to previous CPI indexation
gradually increasing and equalizing retirement ages for men and women
North Macedonia's education spending decreased over the past twelve years
Key measures to enhance spending efficiency include optimizing the school network
reassessing student-teacher ratios and class sizes
reallocating resources to non-salary-related spending
Priorities should include implementing a new funding formula for primary education and gradually optimizing the primary school network
The government e-procurement portal enhanced the transparency and efficiency of the public procurement
allowing the analysis of non-competitive public procurement practices and corruption risks
The report indicates a moderate risk of corruption
with some institutions using high-risk procurement practices
such as increasing the number of bidders and reducing market concentration
Implementing efficiency-enhancing measures within the existing legal framework could save the government 1.6 percent of GDP
North Macedonia has to improve the efficiency of agricultural subsidies for the country's economic transition and resilience
By aligning agricultural policies with the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and implementing targeted reforms
the country can enhance the productivity and competitiveness of its agricultural sector
This would also mean abolishing the tobacco growing subsidies
and reallocating funding to food production and greening practices
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hold a sign reading ‘Your system murdered an entire generation of the future
This commentary by Goran Rizaov was first published by Meta.mk
An edited version is republished here under a content-sharing agreement between Global Voices and Metamorphosis Foundation
In the early morning hours of March 16, fire engulfed a discotheque called Club Pulse in Kočani, North Macedonia, resulting in the deaths of 59 people and injuring over 150
While the country and the region are still attempting to come to grips with the enormity of the tragedy
the initial investigation indicated that systemic corruption prevented implementation of necessary safety procedures
The government declared a week of mourning; meanwhile
various political forces started a campaign of preemptive silencing of critical voices
targeting independent media and civil society activists
I decided to keep silent. Not to “piffle.” Not to ruffle feathers. To close myself at home, to lock the door, to turn off the lights and not to talk to anyone. To prevent myself from saying something wrong, otherwise they might drag me by the ears from my home
I decided not to disturb the public with our reporting
To avoid “emotionally charged narratives.” To transmit only the official announcements by the authorities
Because the government knows best what is ethical journalism
There’s someone assigned to do the thinking for us
I also decided not to read too much news to prevent harming my mental health
Especially by some so-called media outlets which are not media outlets
and by journalists who are not journalists
I decided not to call for citizen gatherings against the system
because the system already declared that it fights against the system
I decided to bury in deep silence that “thing unspoken that I carry,” a thing that weighs on me and pains me
and wait for “the silence itself will say it.” I await resignations in silence
Peaceful gathering at the main square in Skopje on March 18
My use of irony is not a sign of disrespect to the families of the victims and injured in the tragedy in the improvised discotheque
the goal is to point out the uninhibited attempts for censorship by the government against the independent and critical media
and the attempts to take control of the narrative and divert public attention
Since March 17, 2025, Macedonian authorities have shown their true authoritarian and censorious face, especially on the day of the funerals
the regulatory bodies and the associations bombarded the media with announcements trying to prevent them from publishing anything that might be disliked by the political parties in power
Under the guise of defending professional conduct
hidden among well known standards which are followed by any professional media anyway
the government educated the journalists what they should and what they shouldn’t photograph
what kind of video recordings they should or shouldn’t make
whether to have emotions or just copy their stark announcements and speeches
Under the guise of countering disinformation
In effect we got the result akin to those used by authoritarian regimes attempting to suppress freedom of speech
This led to a situation of an extremely high level of self-censorship among the Macedonian media
You would be hard pressed to find reporting on the lives of the victims
about their influence on their communities in most Macedonian media
You will not see the sorrow or hear the wailing
Journalism has rules on how to interview families of victims of huge tragedies
and the experienced journalists know these rules
with sensitivity and knowledge of what kind of questions are appropriate
Professional photojournalists also have their own special approach
the fact remains that it is extremely important to document such tragedies
to create a public record that would remain in media archives
to leave a trace written in the collective memory
A Meta.mk journalist suffered a brutal attack on social media
spreading vicious defamatory accusations that he was the organizer of student gatherings
His photograph was posted in tens of Facebook and Twitter posts alongside calls for his arrest or physical assault on him
The assault campaign took place following the publication on social media of a recording of the Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska giving a speech to students on the campus of the Sts. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM), when they interrupted her with boos
They reacted to her continuing her already long speеch while some students were fainting and those around them were crying out for help and an ambulance
Several thousand university students and high school pupils had gathered on March 17 to pay respects to the victims of the Kočani tragedy
the event turned into a badly managed PR event which spun out of control
Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje on March 17
Only one TV station and several online media outlets published the news that the students booed the minister. Meanwhile, the reactions on social media were a different story. The video clip was published on social media and soon became viral
a network of political party trolls (called “bots” in the Balkans) activated and started a witch-hunt via anonymous profiles and groups
when the minister finally appeared in public again
not one media outlet asked her how come she appeared at the podium together with the rector to speak at a student gathering
Nobody asked if she would submit her resignation because of the disrespect shown to the students at their moment of grief for their deceased colleagues
for the many young people who lost their lives and the hundreds of injured who still struggle to survive
In her speech, the minister said many things, and also recited the lyrics from the poem “In Silence” by Aco Šopov
silence can sometimes be louder than words in pointing out the truth
But when the government is calling upon the students to keep silent
one can suspect that this is about singing a completely different kind of song
The ministers’ speechwriter could have chosen some other poem by Šopov, something more appropriate for a student gathering about the biggest tragedy that has struck the youth of this country. “The last prayer for my body” from the poetry collection Not-Being from 1963 would have sounded more realistic on that day
The Bridge features personal essays, commentary, and creative non-fiction that illuminate differences in perception between local and international coverage of news events, from the unique perspective of members of the Global Voices community. Views expressed do not necessarily represent the opinion of the community as a whole. All Posts
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Demonstrators call for change and justice for 59 victims after tragedy blamed on multiple safety violations
With flags still flying at half mast in North Macedonia, grief over a fire that tore through a nightclub killing dozens of people turned to anger as thousands took to the streets in protest
the town where the fire destroyed the Pulse venue early on Sunday
demonstrators demanded justice for the 59 mostly young Macedonians who lost their lives and called for an end to the corrupt practices blamed for the tragedy
“I want everyone who helped this place carry on with its business to be jailed,” said 16-year-old Jovan
referring to the nightclub as he joined other protestors in Kočani’s central square
“We need change because this is a corrupt country.”
Minutes later the rally descended into violence as rock-throwing youths ransacked a cafe believed to belong to the owner of the nightclub
With more than 150 people injured and more than 50 transferred to specialist hospitals in Greece
there is almost no one in the Balkan nation of close-knit family bonds who has not been affected by the disaster
most victims were teenagers or young adults who had crammed into Pulse for an eagerly awaited night with DNK
More than 20 of those wounded and three of those killed were under the age of 18
View image in fullscreenMourners grieve during a protest following a fire at the Pulse nightclub that resulted in dozens of deaths in the town of Kočani
as relatives queued outside hospitals to give DNA samples as part of the grim procedure of identifying the dead
bulldozers and workers could be seen digging graves in Kočani
a town of fewer than 30,000 residents 60 miles east of the capita
“I will have no mercy,” the country’s prime minister
“There is no person in Macedonia who is not broken and with a destroyed spirit after this.”
Mickoski said preliminary investigations had revealed that the entertainment venue was operating illegally with an invalid licence obtained from the country’s economy ministry “in exchange for a bribe”
had refused to issue a permit for the nightclub because it failed to meet basic safety standards
The fire broke out at about 2.30am local time (0130 GMT) when sparks from pyrotechnic devices
described variously as fireworks and flares
Many of the victims died in the ensuing crowd crush as panic-stricken people attempted to escape
View image in fullscreenSome demonstrators damaged an establishment that was said to belong to the owner of the nightclub
the scale of the security violations were laid bare by the country’s state prosecutor
only two fire extinguishers and a ceiling made of highly flammable material
but only one single improvised metal door at the back of the building
which was locked and without a handle on the inside,” Kocevski said
“There was no access for fire engines from either side in accordance with the fire safety regulations
The interior of the building was lined with plasterboard
Local media outlets described the former warehouse as an “improvised nightclub”
Among the 20 people detained in connection with the disaster is a former economy minister
under whose watch the club’s licence is thought to have been issued; his top aide who allegedly signed the document
officials of various state agencies and the venue’s manager
“The detainees will be questioned since there are grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption linked to the fire,” the interior minister
“The number of people inside the club was at least double its official capacity of 250.”
View image in fullscreenThe Pulse nightclub was said to have multiple safety violations
Photograph: Georgi Licovski/EPAInitial reports suggested as many as 1,500 were at the venue when the blaze broke out
On Monday as authorities stepped up inspections of nightclubs across the country
Mickoski said he had been astounded to discover that licences for only 12 cabarets had been issued last year despite the number of such venues nationwide
“The situation on this issue is shocking,” he said
while visiting some of the wounded in the Mother Teresa hospital in Skopje
has declared a seven-day period of national mourning in honour of the dead
Thousands of students gathered on Monday at Skopje University in a silent protest that they have vowed to repeat daily over the course of the next week
More rallies are expected on Tuesday after a civic group called for people to rally in city centres around North Macedonia to place further pressure on the government to stop the corruption that has now cost the 1.8-million strong nation so many young lives
North Macedonia has made a clear warning of growing Russian influence in the Western Balkans if the EU does not commit quickly and clearly to enlargement
All with the promise of a window of opportunity that we've been told existed if we do these changes for our path towards the European Union," Foreign Minister Timcho Mucunski told Euronews
Mucunski warned that the EU’s credibility is at stake
and that enlargement is necessary to prevent weaponising Russian propaganda
"There are malign actors out there who like to point the finger and say
do you really believe that the EU is honest in its intention for enlargement
Look at what they're doing to the Macedonians," he said
It has been 20 years since North Macedonia applied for EU membership and achieved candidate status
its accession has stalled due to disputes with Bulgaria over the status of the Bulgarian minority in country
Skopjie wants institutional guarantees to make sure that no new demands will arise in the future
there will not be a veto because of a bilateral issue?" he asked
"I will never be able to say to you that I am happy with the Prespa Agreement
I understand that the principle of pacta sunt servanda and that agreements must be kept
the European Commission also pointed out limited progress on strengthening judicial independence and serious concerns on corruption
"Our government was formed less than a year ago and it has taken very direct steps towards fighting corruption
both high-level corruption but also corruption that exists in mid-level and low-level service
establishing a system of rule of law," Mucunski said
adding: "But this is not something that we can do overnight."