The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Membership status
Candidate country
Background
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – along with other Western Balkans countries – was identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council
summit in 2003.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia applied for EU membership in March 2004. The Commission issued a favourable opinion in November 2005, and the Council decided in December 2005 to grant the country candidate status. In October 2009, the Commission recommended that accession negotiations be opened.
More information on the country's relations with the EU
Interactive timeline
01-01-1997
Council sets political and economic conditions for bilateral relations
01-06-2000
Feira Summit states that all SAP countries are "potential candidates" for EU membership
09-04-2001
Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) is signed.
01-06-2001
Agreement on trade and trade-related matters enters into force
22-03-2004
Application for EU membership
01-04-2004
Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) enters into force
17-05-2004
Council asks Commission to give opinion on application
14-02-2005
The country replies to EU questionnaire
16-12-2005
Council grants candidate status to the country
30-01-2006
Council adopts European Partnership
01-01-2008
Visa facilitation and readmission agreements enter into force
15-07-2009
Commission proposes to grant visa liberalisation to the country
01-10-2009
Commission recommends opening of accession negotiations
29-03-2012
European Commission launches a High Level Accession Dialogue with Skopje