AGP Executive Report

Bulgarian-Vatican Cultural Diplomacy: Bulgaria’s National Assembly chair Mihaela Dotsova led a delegation in Rome to honor Saints Cyril and Methodius at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary the Great, with meetings including Pope Leo XIV—who urged Bulgaria to build “bridges for peace”—and a promise to visit Bulgaria. North Macedonia Political Tensions: In Skopje, opposition leader Venko Filipče accused Deputy PM Ivan Stoilković of links to Serbian intelligence, amid a wider espionage scandal involving the President’s office and claims of pressure to halt investigations. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian law students’ push to take the bar exam in Albanian has sparked protests and clashes, with the Justice Ministry insisting the exam can only be in Macedonian—while talks with Albanian coalition leaders point to “solutions” within constitutional limits. EU Money, Uneven Progress: The European Commission released Growth Plan funds—€65.7m to North Macedonia—while Serbia was left out for not meeting reform conditions.

Espionage Accusations: North Macedonia’s opposition leader Venko Filipče has accused Deputy PM Ivan Stoilković of links to Serbian intelligence tied to President Aleksandar Vučić, as an escalating security scandal keeps attention on alleged breaches around President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova’s office and pressure to stop an investigation. EU Money, Uneven Progress: The European Commission released €65.7m to North Macedonia under the Western Balkans Growth Plan, while Serbia was left out of this tranche for not meeting reform conditions—rule-of-law steps remain the sticking point. Language Rights Flashpoint: Albanian law students and supporters have been pushing to take the bar exam in Albanian, with protests in Skopje turning tense and raising wider questions about identity, the Ohrid framework, and how the state handles Albanian rights. Eurovision Watch: MRT says North Macedonia intends to return to Eurovision 2027, after restarting broadcasts and promising a more transparent selection process.

EU Money Moves: The European Commission released €49m to Albania, €44.2m to Montenegro, and €65.7m to North Macedonia under the Western Balkans Reform and Growth Facility, with the latest tranche tied to progress on business competitiveness and innovation (Albania/Montenegro) and education plus digitalisation (North Macedonia). Eurovision Comeback: North Macedonia’s public broadcaster MRT says the country is set to return to Eurovision in 2027, after talks with the EBU and renewed broadcasting of the contest. Language Rights Flashpoint: In Skopje, Albanian law students’ push to take the bar exam in Albanian has escalated into wider political tension, with protests, clashes, and arrests feeding a broader debate over Albanian language equality since the Ohrid framework. Diplomatic Friction: EU enlargement momentum remains under pressure as Germany’s Merz floats new “associate” options for Ukraine and urges faster EU movement for the Western Balkans.

Eurovision Return: North Macedonia is set to rejoin Eurovision next year after a four-year absence, with MRT confirming it will send an entry for the 2027 contest in Sofia following Dara’s recent win in Vienna. Language Rights at the Bar: Skopje’s Albanian law students are still pushing for the right to take the professional exam in Albanian, and the protests have turned political—complete with UÇK symbolism—while the government says experts are working on a solution. EU Money, EU Rules: The European Commission released €65.7m to North Macedonia under the Western Balkans Reform and Growth plan, while Serbia was left out for missing reform conditions. EU Enlargement Debate: Germany’s Merz is urging a faster EU path for Ukraine and other candidates via a new “associate membership” idea. Regional Tensions: Montenegro marks 20 years of independence and looks to EU membership, even as Serbia’s leadership keeps challenging the anniversary narrative. Culture & Books: Tony Jeton Selimi’s “Climb Greater Heights” won top prize at the Book Excellence Awards.

Bar Exam in Albanian Sparks Bigger Fight: Law students marched through Skopje demanding the right to take the bar exam in Albanian; the protest quickly turned political, with clashes reported and symbols tied to the 1990s Yugoslav wars appearing alongside language-rights banners. Language Rights vs. State Rules: The dispute centers on whether the exam can be taken in Albanian under the Constitution and the Law on Use of Languages—while the government says a legal-experts panel is needed first. EU Momentum: The European Commission released new Western Balkans funding, including €65.7 million for North Macedonia under the Reform and Growth Facility, tied to education and digitalization reforms. Regional Tensions: PM Mickoski reiterated the government won’t interfere in another country’s internal affairs after a rally supporting Serbia’s president was announced in Kumanovo. Governance Under Pressure: An alleged espionage probe involving the President’s office is drawing attention, with claims of copied and decrypted confidential data.

Diplomacy Under Pressure: PM Hristijan Mickoski says the government will not interfere in another country’s internal affairs after a Kumanovo rally planned for May 23 in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić sparked opposition backlash. Security Questions: An alleged espionage probe tied to the President’s Office has drawn fresh attention, with claims that confidential data was copied and decrypted and that pressure may have stalled parts of the investigation. EU Money for Reform: The European Commission released €158.9 million for Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia under its Western Balkans Growth plan, tied to progress in competitiveness, innovation, education and digitalisation. Language Rights Clash: Albanian law students in North Macedonia are pushing to take the professional bar exam in Albanian; protests in Skopje turned violent, and officials say a solution is being studied by legal experts. Culture Spotlight: Tony Jeton Selimi’s “Climb Greater Heights” won top prize at the Book Excellence Awards.

Language Rights Clash: Albanian law students in Skopje escalated protests into violence over a bar exam that’s only offered in Macedonian—now the education ministry says a commission of legal experts is working on allowing the professional law exam in Albanian. EU Path Pressure: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova told Slovenia North Macedonia expects support for EU integration, warning against identity-linked bilateral delays. Regional Security & Culture: Ministers in Athens backed faster energy-grid integration across the region, while in Skopje the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet celebrated Cyrillic heritage. Crime & Justice Watch: North Macedonia prosecutors are preparing charges in what’s described as the country’s first suspected serial femicide case. Elsewhere in the news: A deportation flight controversy in Ireland—pork sausages served to Muslim passengers—sparked a menu change after a human-rights monitor criticized the “inappropriate” catering.

Language Rights in Focus: Albanian students in Skopje are pushing back after authorities said the professional law exam can’t be taken in Albanian. Protest Turns Violent: clashes erupted during the latest demonstration, with reports of injuries and detentions. Government Response: Education officials say work has started on a solution, with a commission of legal experts reviewing how to make the exam available in Albanian and whether other professional exams should also be offered beyond Macedonian. EU Integration Politics: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova told Slovenia that North Macedonia expects support for EU talks, warning against identity-linked bilateral bargaining. Culture & Society: the week also carried a reminder of how language and education shape Europe—EU-wide pre-primary enrollment is high, while North Macedonia lags far behind.

EU Integration Diplomacy: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova met Slovenia’s Natasa Pirc Musar in Ljubljana, urging support for North Macedonia’s EU path while warning against “bilateralizing” enlargement through identity-linked demands. Human Rights at the Border: A deportation flight from Ireland to Pakistan drew outrage after Muslim passengers were served pork sausages; a human rights monitor called it “inappropriate,” and catering was later revised. Language Rights Protest: Thousands of Albanian students marched in Skopje after the Justice Ministry said the bar exam can’t be taken in Albanian, with protesters calling it a constitutional right tied to the Ohrid Agreement. Education Snapshot: Eurostat reports 95% of EU children are in pre-primary education, but North Macedonia sits far lower at 48.3%, underscoring a widening regional gap.

Voter-Roll Pressure in the US: A Maryland ballot mix-up—thousands of voters reportedly sent the wrong party’s mail-in primary ballot—has sparked fresh GOP demands for a federal audit of state voter rolls, with the dispute now drawing in the DOJ and raising alarms about “one vote, one person.” Early Education Gap in the Balkans: New EU data shows 95% of EU children are in pre-primary education, but the figure drops sharply for EU candidates and neighbors—North Macedonia at 48.3% and Turkey at 55%—while the EU targets 96% by 2030. Language Rights Protest Looms in Skopje: Albanian students are set to protest on 18 May over the bar exam being taken in Albanian, not Macedonian, as support grows from Kosovo and Montenegro officials and the wider debate over minority rights and implementation keeps heating up. Regional Tensions Over Independence Narratives: Montenegro’s 20-year independence anniversary has reignited friction with Serbia after Belgrade signaled it won’t attend, fueling a fresh round of nationalist messaging across the region.

Language Rights on the Move: Albanian students in Skopje are set to protest on May 18, demanding the bar exam be taken in Albanian—arguing it’s a test of professional knowledge, not language politics. EU Membership Pressure: The dispute is framed as bigger than one exam: critics say North Macedonia’s nationalist government is weakening the Albanian political factor, while others insist constitutional language equality is the only path to EU entry as equal citizens. Regional Tensions: Serbia’s rhetoric is also spilling into the neighborhood, with renewed friction tied to Kosovo narratives and Montenegro’s independence anniversary—where Belgrade says it won’t “celebrate secession.” Culture & Identity: Bulgaria marked 70 years since joining UNESCO, while Skopje hosted celebrations for the Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet, keeping cultural diplomacy in the spotlight. Justice Watch: North Macedonia prosecutors are preparing charges in what’s described as the country’s first suspected serial femicide case.

Football Fallout: Hearts and Celtic’s title-decider ended in “menacing and threatening” scenes, with players returning in tears and clubs promising police cooperation as questions pile up. Terror Crackdown: An Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, was arrested in the U.S. over alleged plots targeting Jews across Europe and North America, including Toronto. Regional Politics: In North Macedonia, parties traded fresh accusations tied to Bulgaria, while VLEN says it can mediate Skopje–Sofia talks over constitutional language demands. Language Rights: Albanian students are set to protest again on 18 May, pushing to take the bar exam in Albanian. Culture & Identity: Venice Biennale pavilions, including North Macedonia’s, partially shut in protest over Israel, as “Art Not Genocide” escalates pressure. Good News, Environment: In North Macedonia, conservationists removed a wartime concrete barrier on the Pčinja River, reopening 40 miles for fish and cleaner flow.

Terror Crackdown: An Iraqi man, Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, has been arrested in the U.S. and charged over alleged plans for nearly 20 attacks targeting Jews across Europe and North America, including two in Toronto, with prosecutors linking him to Iran-backed groups. UK-Iran Tensions: The UK says it will deploy military assets for a future mission in the Strait of Hormuz, but Washington is still irritated by Britain’s reluctance to join U.S. strikes against Iran. North Macedonia Language Rights: Albanian students are set to protest again on 18 May over the bar exam being offered in Albanian, and Kosovo and Montenegro officials have voiced support. EU-Bulgaria Dispute: Political parties in North Macedonia keep trading accusations over Bulgaria-related constitutional demands, while VLEN says it wants to act as a bridge between Sofia and Skopje. Crime Watch: Prosecutors are preparing charges in what’s described as North Macedonia’s first suspected serial femicide case.

Bar Exam Protest Escalates: Albanian students in North Macedonia are set to protest on 18 May, demanding they can take the bar exam in Albanian, with support now coming from political figures in Kosovo and Montenegro who say it’s a right to be tested in one’s mother tongue, not a privilege. Regional Security Anxiety: A new report argues the risk of a Russian attack on NATO is rising as the Ukraine war goes badly for Putin, painting a picture of mounting pressure and possible retaliation. Counterterror Crackdown: The U.S. Justice Department announced the arrest of an Iraqi senior figure linked to Kata’ib Hizballah, charged over alleged involvement in nearly 20 attacks across the U.S. and Europe. EU Friction Over Identity: North Macedonia’s political parties keep trading accusations tied to Bulgaria-related constitutional demands, while Albanian coalition leaders push for mediation to restore communication with Sofia. First Serial Femicide Case: Prosecutors say they are preparing charges in what is believed to be the country’s first serial femicide case, involving the deaths of four women.

Terror Crackdown: The U.S. Justice Department arrested an Iraqi senior figure of Kata’ib Hizballah, charging him over nearly 20 planned attacks across Europe and the U.S., and ordered detention in Manhattan. EU Identity Clash: In North Macedonia, parties traded fresh accusations tied to Bulgaria—VMRO-DPMNE hit back at SDSM over “Macedonian” vs “North Macedonian,” while opposition leaders argue constitutional inclusion is the path to EU membership. Language Rights on Trial: A North Macedonia bar exam protest is set to flare again, with Albanian students demanding the exam be taken in Albanian, not just Macedonian. First Serial Femicide Case: Prosecutors say they’re preparing charges in what they call the country’s first suspected serial femicide case, after links to multiple killings over a year. Regional Culture & Memory: Bulgaria’s Alphabet Day drew children’s art and Cyrillic-themed installations in Skopje, while North Macedonia’s neighbors marked anniversaries and religious heritage events.

Language Rights Clash: North Macedonia’s bar exam protest is back in the spotlight after ethnic Albanian law students demanded they be allowed to take the exam in Albanian, with another bridge demonstration planned for May 18. Justice & Safety: Prosecutors say they’re preparing charges in what’s believed to be the country’s first serial femicide case, after linking a suspect to the deaths of four women over 12 months. Regional Diplomacy: Energy ministers from Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Moldova and Georgia met in Athens to push faster integration of southeastern energy grids, framing it as both security and cooperation. Culture & Identity: Bulgaria’s Alphabet, Education and Culture Day was celebrated in Skopje with children’s art and Cyrillic-themed installations at the Bulgarian Cultural and Information Centre. Politics Watch: A week of debate continues around EU talks and constitutional demands, while VLEN signals it wants to mediate Sofia-Skopje communication.