AGP Executive Report

Bulgaria Ties: North Macedonia summoned Bulgaria’s chargé d’affaires over remarks about Iva Mihaylova, intensifying a dispute over her reported flight to Bulgaria and Skopje’s extradition request. In a separate move, the countries’ health ministers signed a 2026–28 plan for joint initiatives and medical expertise-sharing. Young People: More than 76% of surveyed students are considering emigration, citing quality of life and a lack of suitable jobs. Connectivity: Work on a new Prespa border crossing is underway on the Greek side, raising hopes for more tourism and local business. North Macedonia has also put its railway link to Bulgaria out to tender. Digital Life: 93.7% of people aged 15–74 used the internet in early 2026; voice and video calls were the most common activity.

Bulgaria Ties: North Macedonia and Bulgaria signed a 2026–28 healthcare cooperation plan covering joint initiatives and exchanges of medical expertise. But tensions over Iva Mihaylova continued: Skopje summoned Bulgaria’s chargé d’affaires over remarks it called provocative and interference in its affairs. Youth and Emigration: More than 76% of North Macedonian students say they are considering leaving, citing quality of life and a lack of suitable jobs, according to a 2026 survey. Digital Life: 93.7% of people aged 15–74 used the internet in the first quarter of 2026; voice and video calls were the most common activity. Prespa Crossing: Work is underway on a new border crossing between Greece and North Macedonia, expected to revive a route closed since 1967 and boost tourism and local business.

Mihaylova Dispute: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says North Macedonia will raise Iva Mihaylova’s case with NATO and the EU, accusing Bulgaria of sheltering wanted people and alleging she was transferred illegally. Bulgarian officials say there is no border-system record of her crossing at an official checkpoint. Rail Link: North Macedonia has tendered construction of its railway corridor to Bulgaria, backed by a €149 million EU grant, but a cross-border tunnel and unresolved Bulgarian funding mean a continuous connection is unlikely before the early 2030s. Prespa Cooperation: Work is underway on a new Greece–North Macedonia border crossing, closed since 1967, with local businesses hoping it will boost tourism. The two countries and Albania are also preparing a joint UNESCO bid for Prespa as a mixed natural and cultural heritage site. Film: Palestinian director Rakan Mayasi’s Yesterday the Eye Didn’t Sleep won Best Feature at Skopje’s KineNova festival. Regional Influence: A new analysis says China’s long-term education, cultural and media partnerships in the Western Balkans can help spread state-preferred narratives, while noting that such exchanges are not inherently interference.

Iva Mihaylova Case: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says North Macedonia will raise Bulgaria’s handling of the case at NATO and EU meetings, accusing Sofia of sheltering wanted convicts. Bulgaria’s border police says there is no record of Mihaylova crossing at an official checkpoint; an investigation is ongoing. Economy and Infrastructure: North Macedonia has opened a tender for its railway link to Bulgaria, though funding and a cross-border tunnel mean a through connection may not be ready until the early 2030s. Eurostat says 15.9% of people in North Macedonia cannot afford regular leisure activities, above the EU average of 12.1%. Justice and Security: Police arrested an alleged administrator of the OLVX cybercrime marketplace. Culture and Sport: North Macedonia joined Greece and Albania in preparing a joint UNESCO bid for the Prespa region. Chess club Alkaloid opened the European Club Cup with a 6–0 win.

Bulgaria Dispute: North Macedonia is seeking Iva Mihaylova’s extradition after Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski accused Bulgaria of transferring her illegally and said he would raise the case with NATO and the EU. Bulgarian border police say there is no record of her crossing at an official checkpoint; an investigation is ongoing. Rail Links: North Macedonia has tendered construction of its railway corridor toward Bulgaria, backed by a €149 million EU grant, but funding gaps and a cross-border tunnel could delay a continuous connection until the early 2030s. Prespa Heritage: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia have agreed to prepare a joint UNESCO bid for the Prespa region, targeting a decision in 2031. Diaspora Funding: A BIRN investigation says Serbia’s Foreign Ministry gave grants to groups in North Macedonia, including associations whose leaders have publicly backed Serbia’s ruling party.

Mihaylova Dispute: North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says Iva Mihaylova was transferred to Bulgaria illegally and plans to raise her case at NATO and EU meetings. Bulgarian Border Police says there is no record of her crossing at an official checkpoint and reports no violations by its officers; an investigation is ongoing. Skopje is seeking her arrest and extradition. Transport Links: North Macedonia has tendered construction of its railway toward Bulgaria, backed by a €149 million EU grant, but a continuous cross-border link is unlikely before the early 2030s because of outstanding funding and tunnel work. A Strabag-led consortium also won a $245 million motorway project. EU Recognition: A North Macedonian project was among 13 winners of the European Commission’s 2026 New European Bauhaus Prizes, which honour sustainable and inclusive design.

Bulgaria Dispute: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says Iva Mihaylova was taken out of North Macedonia illegally and accuses Bulgaria of sheltering convicted criminals. He says Skopje will raise the case with NATO and the EU; Bulgaria says it will not extradite Mihaylova, who is receiving medical treatment there. North Macedonian authorities are investigating how she left. Cybercrime: Police arrested an alleged administrator of the OLVX cybercrime marketplace in North Macedonia. Rail Link: North Macedonia has tendered construction of its railway corridor to Bulgaria, backed by a €149 million EU grant. A cross-border tunnel and funding gaps mean a continuous connection is unlikely before the early 2030s. EU Recognition: A North Macedonian project is among the 13 laureates of the 2026 New European Bauhaus prizes, which recognize sustainable and inclusive design.

Rail Link to Bulgaria: North Macedonia has tendered construction of its railway corridor to Bulgaria, backed by a €149 million EU grant. But funding gaps and a cross-border tunnel mean a continuous connection is unlikely before the early 2030s. Mihaylova Dispute: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says Iva Mihaylova left the country illegally and will face justice over a fatal crash. A Kočani court ordered her detained for 30 days; Bulgaria says its constitution allows it to refuse extradition of Bulgarian citizens. Cybercrime Charges: North Macedonian authorities charged the alleged administrator of OLVX, a marketplace for stolen data and cybercrime tools. The joint investigation with the FBI marks the first cyber operation coordinated between the two countries. Road Investment: A Strabag consortium won a $245 million motorway project in North Macedonia.

Mihaylova Dispute: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says Iva Mihaylova left North Macedonia illegally and that she and her father will face justice. She is on trial over a fatal road crash; a Kočani court ordered her detention and an international search. Bulgaria says it may refuse extradition of its citizens without a ratified treaty and notes there is no Interpol Red Notice. Cybercrime: North Macedonia has charged a 20-year-old alleged administrator of OLVX, a marketplace accused of selling stolen data and hacking tools. The case followed a joint operation with the FBI. Infrastructure: A Strabag-led consortium has won a $245 million contract for the E65 motorway project in North Macedonia. Culture Abroad: Macedonian folkloric ensemble Sloboda is helping pass the language, dance and traditions to a new generation in Adelaide.

Cybercrime: North Macedonia has charged a 20-year-old accused of running OLVX, an online marketplace for stolen data and hacking tools. The FBI says the operation was its first joint cybercrime action with North Macedonia. Mihaylova Case: Kočani’s court ordered 30 days’ detention for Iva Mihaylova and an international search as Skopje seeks her return from Bulgaria. Sofia says it can refuse to extradite Bulgarian citizens without a ratified treaty, deepening tensions between the neighbours. Transport: A Strabag-led consortium won a €219 million contract to build an 11.5-kilometre stretch of the E65 motorway, part of Corridor VIII. Construction is expected to take four years. EU Enlargement: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is listed among leaders attending the EU Enlargement Forum in Brussels on November 15–16, as candidate countries discuss the bloc’s future.

Cybercrime: North Macedonia has charged the alleged administrator of OLVX, a marketplace accused of selling stolen data and tools for cyberattacks. The investigation involved the FBI; prosecutors also allege the suspect possessed child sexual abuse material. Mihaylova Case: A Kočani court ordered 30 days’ detention for Iva Mihaylova and an international search as North Macedonia seeks her return over a fatal 2025 road crash. Bulgaria says it may refuse to extradite its dual national, citing its constitution; no Interpol Red Notice has been issued. Skopje has summoned Bulgaria’s ambassador over her reception in Sofia. EU Enlargement: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski is listed among leaders attending the EU Enlargement Forum in Brussels in November, alongside officials from other candidate countries. Roads: A Strabag-led consortium won a €219 million contract to build an 11.5-kilometre section of the E65 motorway on Corridor VIII, linking the Skopje–Ohrid route toward Albania.

Mihaylova Case: A Kočani court has ordered 30 days’ detention and an international search for Iva Mihaylova, who is in Bulgaria for medical treatment after a fatal 2025 crash. Skopje has protested her arrival and sought her return; Bulgaria says it may refuse to extradite its dual-national citizen. The case has deepened tensions between the neighbours. Transport: A Strabag-led consortium won a €219 million contract to build an 11.5-kilometre section of the E65 motorway between Bukojčani and Kičevo, part of Corridor VIII. Construction is expected to take four years. EU Path: North Macedonia is among the EU candidate countries invited to cooperate with the bloc’s new democratic-resilience centre on issues including disinformation and protection of journalists. Regional Culture: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia are pursuing closer cultural ties and a joint UNESCO bid for the Prespa region.

Mihaylova Case: A court in Kočani ordered 30 days’ detention for Iva Mihaylova and an international wanted notice after she failed to report to police. She is in Bulgaria while facing charges over a fatal 2025 crash. Skopje summoned Bulgaria’s ambassador over her reception in Sofia; the ambassador said the case should remain humanitarian, not political. EU Integration: North Macedonia is among EU candidate countries invited to work with the European Centre for Democratic Resilience on countering disinformation and foreign interference. Regional Culture: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia are pursuing closer cultural ties and a joint UNESCO bid for the Prespa region. Greece-backed restoration of the frescoes at Kurbinovo’s 12th-century Church of St George has also been completed.

Mihaylova Case: Prosecutors in Kočani are seeking Iva Mihaylova’s remand in custody, saying she breached court restrictions by leaving North Macedonia for Bulgaria. Skopje says there is no record of her crossing the border and has criticized her reception in Sofia; Bulgaria’s ambassador said the humanitarian case should not be politicized. Regional Ties: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia are pursuing cultural cooperation and a joint UNESCO bid for the Prespa region. Greece also funded restoration of the Byzantine frescoes at St George’s Church in Kurbinovo. Diplomatic Tensions: Greece formally protested a banner displayed by basketball fans in Skopje that depicted neighbouring territories as part of “Greater Macedonia,” saying it violates the spirit of the Prespa Agreement.

Mihaylova Case: Iva Mihaylova, who is on trial in North Macedonia over a fatal 2025 crash, is receiving treatment at Sofia’s Pirogov hospital. She says she crossed the border legally using her identity documents; Skopje says its system has no record of her departure and plans to inform the EU and Council of Europe, criticizing Bulgarian officials’ reception of her. Greek Relations: Greece has formally protested a nationalist banner shown at a Skopje basketball game depicting Greek territory as part of North Macedonia, saying it violates the spirit of the Prespa Agreement. Cultural Ties: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia plan joint heritage and arts initiatives and are pursuing UNESCO status for the Prespa region. Greece also funded the restoration of frescoes at the Byzantine church in Kurbinovo, now handed back to North Macedonia. EU Path: Bulgaria says it will not renegotiate North Macedonia’s EU accession commitments and urges Skopje to meet the terms agreed in 2022.

Mihaylova Case: Iva Mihaylova is receiving medical examinations at Sofia’s Pirogov Hospital after leaving North Macedonia for Bulgaria. She says she crossed using her identity documents; North Macedonia’s Interior Ministry says its border system has no record of her departure, and her lawyer says she had no court authorisation. She faces charges over a fatal 2025 crash, which she denies causing. Greek Protest: Greece has formally protested a map shown by basketball fans in Skopje that depicted parts of Greece and three other neighbours as North Macedonian territory, saying it violates the spirit of the Prespa Agreement. EU Accession: Bulgaria says it will not renegotiate North Macedonia’s EU commitments and insists constitutional changes recognising Bulgarians are required for progress. Regional Ties: Greece, Albania and North Macedonia are pursuing UNESCO status for the Prespa region; Greece-backed restoration of the 12th-century Kurbinovo church frescoes has also been completed. Serbia says work on its gas interconnector with North Macedonia is due to begin.