EUFOR Exercise: EUFOR troops continued Exercise Quick Response 2026 across Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Mostar Airport coordination and a long-range patrol in Rudo with Greek, Italian, Albanian and North Macedonian forces. Court Ruling: North Macedonia’s Court of Appeal confirmed Nikola Gruevski’s acquittal in the “Talir 2” case tied to VMRO-DPMNE’s “White Palace,” blocking confiscation of the headquarters and about 30 other properties. Presidential Election Prep: The Council of Ministers will consider the spending plan for the October 25 presidential and vice-presidential elections, alongside EU-funds estimates and other legislative and budget items. Energy Connectivity: Skopje and Belgrade signed a gas pipeline agreement enabling a link as early as 2028, with a 67-kilometre pipeline targeted for completion by 2027, boosting regional diversification beyond Russian supplies. Healthcare Cooperation: Bulgaria’s government approved a 2026–2028 healthcare cooperation plan with North Macedonia covering care delivery, disease control, surveillance, emergency management, and eHealth. Infrastructure: Construction has started on a 10.5-kilometre motorway between Skopje and the Kosovo border, with tunnels, bridges and galleries planned over four years to strengthen regional transport links. Demographics & Schools: Education Minister Vesna Janevska reported first-grade enrolment for 2026–27 is already sharply down, with expectations of more class reductions and rural school closures. Foreign Policy: Foreign Minister Timco Mucunski visited Jerusalem and signed cooperation agreements with Israel spanning agriculture, water, security, innovation, tourism, health and education, with defense-industry investment also discussed.