AGP Executive Report

Espionage Shock: North Macedonia’s prosecutors are investigating an IT administrator in the president’s office over claims he copied and encrypted secret data for a foreign intelligence service, with the alleged partner described as outside NATO—sparking fresh alarm in Skopje and demands from the opposition for a full probe. EU Politics & Identity: The fallout comes as Albanian law students’ bar-exam language protests keep widening political fault lines, with symbols and rhetoric turning a legal dispute into a broader fight over rights and state identity. Aviation & Connectivity: In practical fallout for travel, Lufthansa is ending its Frankfurt–Skopje route, pushing passengers toward Vienna connections, while Skopje says it rejected Ryanair’s demands during market-entry talks. Regional Diplomacy: At NATO foreign ministers in Sweden, Bulgaria’s Petrova-Chamova stressed unity and backed faster regional connectivity, including Corridor VIII and a cross-border rail tunnel. Culture Funding: Skopje approved a draft Games of Chance law that will redirect 3% of gambling levies to the Film Agency, restoring a funding stream for domestic production.

Presidency Spy Allegations: North Macedonia’s prosecutors are investigating an IT administrator in the President’s office accused of copying and encrypting secret data for a foreign intelligence service, with the President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova saying she was surprised and the PM Hristijan Mickoski downplaying it as tied to “old intelligence structures.” Opposition Escalates: SDSM leader Venko Filipče says the case points to Serbian and Russian influence and calls for a full investigation, while the wider political backdrop remains tense over foreign influence and Albanian community rights. EU Money, Uneven Progress: The EU Growth Plan released €65.7m to North Macedonia after reforms in education and digitalisation, but the same tranche left Serbia out over unmet conditions. Regional Pressure on Rights: Across the Balkans, trade barriers and new EU rules are rising even as integration deepens, while Skopje’s language-rights protests continue to ripple into broader identity and security politics.

EU Money Moves: The European Commission released Growth Plan funds—€49m to Albania, €44.2m to Montenegro, and €65.7m to North Macedonia—after positive reform checks, bringing totals to €212.8m, €89.3m, and €142.1m respectively. EU Leverage Under Pressure: Serbia was left out of this tranche for not meeting conditions, while Kosovo faces the risk of losing over €250m if reforms miss June deadlines. Skopje’s Flashpoint: North Macedonia’s latest domestic crisis is still tied to Albanian students demanding the bar exam in Albanian, with protests escalating into clashes and a wider debate over language rights and rising Albanophobia. Diplomatic Tension: Separately, an alleged espionage scandal around the President’s office is drawing scrutiny as prosecutors seek expert reports. Regional Politics: Montenegro marks 20 years of independence and pushes toward EU membership, while EU enlargement talk keeps shifting—Germany’s Merz floats faster “associate” options for candidates, including the Western Balkans.

Eurovision Return: North Macedonia is back next year after a four-year absence, with MRT confirming it will send an entry to the 2027 contest in Sofia. Language & Identity Clash: Skopje’s bar-exam fight over taking the professional law exam in Albanian has turned into wider political tension, with protests escalating into clashes and symbols tied to the 1990s UÇK appearing—fueling accusations of Albanophobia and political manipulation. EU Money, Uneven Access: The European Commission released Growth Plan funds to Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia, while Serbia (and Bosnia) were left out of this tranche over unmet reform conditions. EU Enlargement Pressure: Bulgaria says it won’t reopen the negotiating framework, while Germany’s Merz pushes a faster “associate” style path for Ukraine and broader momentum for the Western Balkans. Domestic Friction: A proposed referendum on constitutional amendments is gaining attention, and an alleged espionage scandal around the President’s office is drawing fresh scrutiny.

Presidential Espionage Storm: Allegations of spying and leaked data inside North Macedonia’s President’s Office are back in the spotlight after reports say an IT administrator copied, decrypted and stored confidential material, with pressure to stop a probe and delays awaiting Interior Ministry expert findings. Language Rights Clash: Albanian law students in Skopje escalated protests over the bar exam being offered only in Macedonian, with clashes reported and talks between PM Mickoski and VLEN leaders focused on making the exam comply with language laws. EU Money, Uneven Access: The European Commission released fresh reform-and-growth funds—€65.7m to North Macedonia—while Bosnia still can’t tap about €1bn due to unresolved coalition-level paperwork. Regional Politics: Serbia’s no-show at Montenegro’s independence celebrations underlines lingering Balkan tensions. EU Enlargement Push: Five EU states floated “step-by-step” single-market access for Western Balkans candidates, including North Macedonia, with access potentially pulled if reforms slip.

EU Enlargement Push: Austria, Czechia, Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia want Western Balkan candidates—including North Macedonia—to get step-by-step access to parts of the EU single market once they meet sector rules, with possible pullbacks if reforms stall. Domestic Politics: PM Hristijan Mickoski says the government won’t interfere in another country’s internal affairs after a Kumanovo rally supporting Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić was announced. Presidential Office Under Scrutiny: An alleged espionage scandal tied to the President’s office is drawing attention, with claims of copied and decrypted confidential data and pressure to stop a probe. Diplomacy & EU Path: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova says North Macedonia expects Slovenia to back its EU integration, warning against “bilateralizing” enlargement. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian students in Skopje escalated protests over the right to take professional exams in Albanian, with clashes reported. Regional Trade: Serbia and Ukraine are preparing a joint statement to continue free-trade talks, while EU prison data flags overcrowding pressures across Europe, including North Macedonia.

EU Enlargement Push: Austria, Italy, and four other EU states are floating a “step-by-step” model for Western Balkans candidates, aiming for sector-by-sector single market access once alignment is proven—an attempt to keep momentum and reduce the risk of drifting into Russia’s orbit. Skopje Language Flashpoint: In North Macedonia, Albanian students are escalating protests over the bar exam language—first demanding the professional law exam in Albanian, then broadening to full Albanian-language use across institutions—after clashes and renewed talks between PM Hristijan Mickoski and VLEN leaders. EU Integration Diplomacy: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova tells Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar that EU enlargement must not be “bilateralized” through identity politics, while EU support for North Macedonia’s path remains a key theme. Cross-border Crime: Two North Macedonian nationals face US charges tied to a “Trump Bucks” fraud scheme targeting Americans with fake pro-Trump collectibles.

Language Rights Clash: Albanian students in Skopje escalated protests over the bar exam language row into street clashes, with the Justice Ministry still saying the professional law exam can’t be taken in Albanian—students call it a constitutional right tied to the Ohrid Agreement. Diplomatic Push for EU: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova told Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar that EU enlargement shouldn’t be “bilateralized” through identity-linked conditions, while also signaling Slovenia’s support and noting North Macedonia will host this year’s Brdo-Brijuni Process summit. EU Security & Courts: Europe’s push for a special tribunal over the crime of aggression against Ukraine gained momentum, with many Council of Europe states backing the plan. Cross-Border Crime: Two North Macedonian nationals were charged in the U.S. over a “Trump Bucks” fraud scheme targeting elderly supporters. Human Rights Fallout Abroad: An Irish deportation flight to Muslim-majority Pakistan served pork sausages, prompting menu changes after a monitoring report.

EU Accession Diplomacy: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova told Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar in Ljubljana that North Macedonia expects support for EU integration, warning against “bilateralizing” enlargement through identity disputes and insisting on consistent EU law. Language Rights Protest: Skopje is bracing for another wave of student action over exam language—Albanian law students say professional exams must be available in Albanian, calling it a constitutional right tied to the Ohrid Agreement, after the Justice Ministry rejected the demand. Human Rights & Deportations: A rights monitor says Muslim passengers on an Irish deportation flight to Pakistan were served pork sausages, calling the meal “inappropriate,” though the monitor also said the overall operation was handled humanely and the provider later changed catering. Regional Security: In a wider European crackdown, the US DOJ charged an Iraqi national linked to Kata’ib Hizballah/IRGC over nearly 20 attacks across Europe, the US and Canada, with prosecutors citing an alleged arson attack on a synagogue in Skopje. Football & Timing: Türkiye named Vincenzo Montella’s 35-man World Cup provisional squad, with a warm-up against North Macedonia set for June 1 in Istanbul.

Terror Crackdown: The U.S. DOJ has arrested an Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, described as a senior Kata’ib Hizballah commander, charging him over nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe, the U.S., and Canada, with prosecutors saying he urged others to target Americans and Jews. EU Path: Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar told North Macedonia it “belongs in the EU” during an official visit, while also announcing Skopje will host this year’s Brdo-Brijuni Process summit. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian students are set to protest in Skopje today demanding the bar exam be offered in Albanian, reigniting the wider fight over language equality. EU Policy Pressure: A new EU-wide push on early education shows North Macedonia’s pre-primary enrolment remains far below the EU average, adding to the backdrop of uneven social services across the region. Energy Reality Check: CBAM’s carbon border tax is already disrupting electricity trading in the Western Balkans, with officials warning it can reduce cross-border trade and market liquidity.

EU Far-Right Tensions: EPP leader Manfred Weber says the “firewall” against far-right power in the European Parliament is wobbling, while his own party debates whether to quietly cooperate with the furthest-right—setting up fresh strain ahead of major elections next year. Skopje Language Flashpoint: Albanian students plan a May 18 Skopje protest over taking the bar exam in Albanian, arguing language rights won after the Ohrid Agreement are being undermined in practice. Bulgaria-North Macedonia Friction: North Macedonia’s foreign minister Timco Mucunski has requested a meeting with Bulgaria’s counterpart at the NATO foreign ministers’ gathering, citing “non-European conditions” tied to EU accession. Regional Energy Push: Energy ministers in Athens stress supply security and faster grid links, with gas interconnections between Greece–North Macedonia and North Macedonia–Serbia back in focus. Security Abroad, Local Links: A US case charges an Iraqi man tied to Iran-backed militias over alleged terror plots across Europe and North America, including an arson attack on a synagogue in North Macedonia.

Montenegro-Serbia Rift: Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić says he won’t attend Montenegro’s 20th independence anniversary, calling it “secession,” while Podgorica insists the 2006 referendum was democratic and not aimed at Serbia—fresh fuel for a long-running Balkan identity fight. North Macedonia-EU Friction: Skopje’s foreign minister Timco Mucunski has requested a formal meeting with Bulgaria’s Velislava Petrova at the NATO talks in Sweden, warning against “non-European conditions” tied to EU accession constitutional demands. Language Rights Protest: Albanian students plan a new bar exam protest on 18 May, pushing to take the test in Albanian and framing it as implementation of rights, not a privilege. Energy Security Push: Ministers in Athens stress regional gas and power interconnectors—Serbia says it’s building links with North Macedonia and Greece and targets major gas capacity growth. Regional Security Drills: Turkish rescue teams joined Balkan search-and-rescue exercises in Thessaloniki, testing cross-border emergency coordination. Terror Case Spillover: US charges an Iraqi man tied to Iran-backed groups over alleged antisemitic attacks across Europe and North America, including claims involving North Macedonia.

Terror Crackdown: An Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been arrested in the U.S. and charged over alleged Iran-backed plots targeting Jewish sites across Europe and North America, including claims tied to attacks in London and Toronto and even an arson case in Skopje. UK-Iran Tensions: The UK says it will deploy assets for future “freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz, but Washington’s anger grows after Trump criticized Britain for not joining an Iran strike. Energy Diplomacy: Energy ministers in Athens pushed faster regional grid and gas corridor links, with North Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia focusing on interconnectors and supply security. EU Accession Friction: Skopje’s foreign minister has requested a meeting with Bulgaria’s counterpart at NATO talks, amid renewed disputes over constitutional conditions for EU progress. Language Rights Protest: Albanian students in North Macedonia are backed by Kosovo and Montenegro figures as they plan a new bar exam protest on 18 May, demanding testing in Albanian.

Terror Case Hits the Region: A senior Iraqi militia commander, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, has been arrested and transferred to the US, accused of coordinating nearly 20 antisemitic attacks across Europe and North America, including a firebombing of a London synagogue and an alleged arson attack on a synagogue in North Macedonia. Energy Diplomacy: In Athens, Serbia pushed its “south-north” energy hub plan, while ministers from Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia and North Macedonia backed corridor projects and gas interconnections to protect supply. Skopje–Sofia Tensions: North Macedonia and Bulgaria remain locked in a fresh political fight over EU-linked constitutional demands and even the “North Macedonian” label, with foreign ministers seeking meetings at NATO talks. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian students in North Macedonia are set to protest again on 18 May over the bar exam being taken in Albanian, with Kosovo and Montenegro politicians backing them. Business & Culture: North Macedonia’s film agency heads to Cannes to promote new projects, while Skopje’s brutalist architecture trend keeps drawing visitors.

Terror crackdown with Balkan links: The US Justice Department has arrested and charged an Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, accused of coordinating nearly 20 terror attacks and attempted attacks across the US, Europe and Canada, including an alleged arson attack against a synagogue in Skopje—along with plots targeting Jewish institutions in New York and beyond. NATO threat backdrop: Coverage also warns that the risk of a Russian attack on NATO is rising as the Ukraine war turns worse for Putin, raising fears of longer, riskier escalation. EU accession friction: In North Macedonia, politics stays tangled with Bulgaria—VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM trade accusations over the “North Macedonian” wording and constitutional amendments tied to EU talks, while the foreign minister seeks an official meeting with Bulgaria’s counterpart at the NATO foreign ministers’ gathering. Energy diplomacy: Ministers in Athens push regional gas and electricity interconnections as the route to steadier supply, with North Macedonia and Serbia in the mix. Legal pressure on language rights: Albanian law students keep pressing for the bar exam in Albanian and plan further protests on 18 May.

Energy Security Talks: Deputy Energy Minister Kiril Temelkov says Southeast Europe’s energy safety hinges on faster regional grid and gas corridor coordination, pointing to the East-West electricity link and the Vertical Gas Corridor as supply-diversifiers. EU Accession Friction: Skopje escalated its dispute with Sofia after Bulgaria’s FM used the phrase “North Macedonian partners,” prompting a formal demarche; meanwhile, VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM traded fresh accusations over Bulgaria-related demands tied to EU talks. Albanian Language Rights: Albanian law students kept pressure on the bar exam in Albanian, with PM Mickoski saying a government proposal will be sent for Venice Commission review—students plan renewed protests on 18 May. Regional Security Cooperation: Police chiefs in Sarajevo backed tighter cross-border action against organized crime, illegal migration, trafficking and cybercrime through SEPCA. Broader Context: Serbia’s EU alignment remains selective on new sanctions, and regional energy ministers also pushed integration of local energy networks.