21st EU – North Macedonia SAA Subcommittee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Representatives from the European Commission (“the Commission”) and North Macedonia held discussions on 4 December 2025 in the sub-committee on agriculture and fisheries, including also aquaculture, food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary matters, on the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and on the approximation of the country’s legislation to the EU acquis in the respective areas.
Violeta Mihajloska, Chief of Cabinet of the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy delivered opening remarks on the side of North Macedonia, followed by those of Sigrid Brettel, Head of the Albania and North Macedonia Unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General on Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood. The meeting was co-chaired by Nadica Dzerkovska, Head of Department in the Phytosanitary Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of North Macedonia. On the EU side, Adrien Bourgeois, Policy officer co-chaired the meeting for the Commission, in the presence of representatives from relevant Commission services.
Both sides discussed the developments in bilateral trade for basic and processed agricultural products, as well as fishery and aquaculture products and in the wine and spirit drinks protocol. The meeting allowed participants to take stock of the recent policy developments in the areas of agriculture and rural development; food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary aspects; and fisheries and aquaculture.
In the area of agriculture and rural development, the Commission expects North Macedonia to swiftly adopt the laws on agriculture and rural development, on organic production and on the agricultural census. The Commission encouraged North Macedonia to continue to develop all the components of the Integrated Administration and Control System and to build up administrative capacities to implemement the Common Agricultural Policy.
Regarding food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary aspects, the Commission encouraged North Macedonia to continue aligning its national legislation with the EU acquis, in particular in the areas of official controls, animal health and plant health. The Commission underlined the importance of taking concrete steps to ensure alignment with the EU standards on animal by-products. The Commission also highlighted the need for North Macedonia to develop the necessary administrative capacity to implement the EU acquis in these policy areas.
On fisheries and aquaculture, the Commission invited North Macedonia to consider the new developments in the Common Fishery Policy, but also to step up efforts to align with the EU acquis on fisheries and aquaculture. The Commission also received additional information on data collection system and reporting from North Macedonia.
The Commission and North Macedonia will continue working closely together in order for North Macedonia to implement all the recommendations set out in the 2025 country report.