AGP Executive Report

North Macedonia in the spotlight abroad: A 30-year-old woman from North Macedonia, Sara Luma, has been charged in Wisconsin federal court with unlawfully voting as a non-citizen in the Nov. 5, 2024 election in Sheboygan, after prosecutors say she registered and falsely certified U.S. citizenship; immigration records say she was later taken into custody while trying to re-enter the U.S. and allowed to self-deport to North Macedonia. Bulgarian community politics: Bulgarian organizations in North Macedonia protested a proposal to include Bulgarians in the constitution with delayed effect, warning the political climate is hitting the community hard and citing past obstacles to Bulgarian media. Regional culture and memory: Bulgaria and Greece agreed to return Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria, with a handover set for Oct. 3 in Thessaloniki—an event that also keeps the Samuel story tied to North Macedonia’s wider historical debates. Security and society: North Macedonia police arrested five in raids targeting an alleged ISIS-linked weapons-trafficking group, seizing rifles, ammunition, propaganda and cash. Film and arts: Cyprus cinemas will screen the gothic fantasy “Motherwitch,” while Thessaloniki’s Agora co-production forum selected 14 projects from 15 countries, spotlighting representation and folk-inspired stories.

Film & Culture: Tokyo International Film Festival revealed its Competition lineup, with world premieres including Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski’s Sister Brother Manhole Cover, alongside works by Garin Nugroho and Qiu Jiongjiong. Heritage & Identity: Greece and Bulgaria agreed to return Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria, with a reciprocal transfer of 48 religious and cultural objects—an exchange that still leaves Samuel’s legacy a sensitive thread between Skopje and the region. Education & Society: North Macedonia’s rural schools are shrinking fast as villages close or merge primary schools, leaving fewer children and fewer local learning hubs. Local Roma Governance: The initiative “Sherutnipe” in Skopje links elected Roma representatives with organizations to turn local-budget projects into real improvements in Roma communities. Security & Extremism: Macedonian authorities arrested five people in Skopje raids targeting an alleged ISIS-linked weapons-trafficking network. Arts & Community: Ithaca Theater Festival 2026 wrapped up by bringing generations and young artists together around performances inspired by Odyssey and the theme “Landscape – Body.”

EU Accession & Diplomacy: In Tirana, Albania’s Edi Rama says the country will start closing more EU negotiating chapters before the end of 2026, with Ursula von der Leyen calling the “objective” in sight as reforms accelerate. UN & Culture Communication: Karunamaya Vesna Blazhevska’s UN role shows how Sustainable Development Goals get translated for everyday audiences, from Skopje to global communications. Arts & Festivals: The Ithaca Theater Festival 2026 wraps up with original performances inspired by “Odyssey,” focusing on young artists meeting across generations and building lasting creative ties. Business & International Links: Macedonian entrepreneur Blazo Gjorev co-hosts a BCIU business roundtable at the Yale Club in New York during UN week, aiming to deepen US–North Macedonia market connections. Security & Extremism: North Macedonia arrests five in Skopje raids targeting an ISIS-linked weapons-trafficking group, seizing firearms, propaganda, cash, and digital materials. Heritage & Memory: Greece and Bulgaria agree to return Tsar Samuel’s remains to Bulgaria on Oct. 3, with reciprocal cultural and religious objects exchanged. Culture & Film: Cyprus gets a theatrical release for gothic film “Motherwitch” after a festival run across Europe and beyond. Local Education: North Macedonia’s rural schools keep closing as falling enrollment and emigration shrink student numbers, pushing children into larger nearby schools. Culture & Identity: Roma leaders in Skopje launch “Sherutnipe” to connect elected representatives with local-budget projects improving Roma community life. Arts & Media: A guide highlights 10 overlooked indie film gems worth catching before limited runs disappear.

EU–Western Balkans Integration: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen begins a Balkan tour in Albania, with talks also planned in Kosovo and Skopje, pushing “gradual integration” with tangible single-market access and cooperation in energy, digitalization, research, education and infrastructure. Counterterror Raids in Skopje: North Macedonia arrested five people in raids on a suspected ISIS-linked network tied to illegal weapons trafficking, seizing rifles, ammunition, extremist propaganda, cash, and devices. Film & Culture Spotlight: The Oscars’ International Feature Film race is nearing its Sept. 30 deadline with 88 submissions so far, while Cyprus prepares the theatrical release of gothic film “Motherwitch” by Emmy-winning director Minos Papas after a festival run. Local Education & Community Life: North Macedonia’s rural schools keep closing as shrinking student numbers and emigration force mergers, including closures near Struga. Roma Civic Participation: “Sherutnipe” in Skopje links elected Roma representatives with local-budget projects to improve Roma communities through infrastructure, education and housing. Publishing & Faith Culture: An Islamic Publishing Observatory launched in Istanbul aims to track publishing trends and translation rights across dozens of countries.

Rural Education & Community Life: North Macedonia’s shrinking school-age population is hitting hard, with rural primary schools in villages near Struga closing or merging and pupils sent to larger centers—an emotional loss for communities and a blow to local social life. Roma Civic Participation: The initiative “Sherutnipe” brings Roma elected representatives in Skopje together with organizations to push real change through locally funded public projects, with past efforts already channeling millions of euros into infrastructure, education, and housing. Education & Culture Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Jiang Xiaoyan visited a renovation project at the Primary School “Naim Fraseri” in Kičevo, supported by the Diplomatic Charity Bazaar—spotlighting international support for local education. Local Arts & Urban Space: Sofia’s Urban Art festival shows how street art can revive neglected areas, with a North Macedonia–linked artist presence among international crews transforming an underpass near Ivan Vazov Market. Heritage & Identity: Ohrid’s Archbishopric published a detailed canonical argument challenging Constantinople’s claims over autocephaly, keeping regional church identity debates in the spotlight.

Rural Education & Diplomacy: Chinese Ambassador Jiang Xiaoyan visited the renovated Primary School “Naim Fraseri” in Kičevo, supported by the Diplomatic Charity Bazaar, with local teachers, students, and parents taking part. Media & Culture: BGNES marks its 25th anniversary, reflecting on how journalism has evolved from early internet reporting to social media and AI—while stressing the agency’s focus on gathering, verifying, and preserving cultural and historical moments through its archive. Publishing & Faith Culture: In Istanbul, Islamic publishers launched a new observatory under the International Union of Islamic Book Publishers to track translation, rights, distribution, and digital change across dozens of countries. Education Access: A report highlights North Macedonia’s shrinking rural schools, with closures in areas like Struga affecting thousands of pupils and reshaping local community life. Roma Civic Participation: “Sherutnipe” in Skopje connects Roma elected representatives with organizations to turn local budget-funded projects into real improvements in infrastructure, education, and housing. Heritage & Travel: Ohrid’s UNESCO Old Town and museums get a spotlight, from the Bay of Bones to boat trips and lakeside experiences.

Islamic Publishing: Istanbul hosted the launch of a new Islamic Publishing Observatory under the International Union of Islamic Book Publishers, aiming to gather reliable data on translation, rights, distribution and digital change across dozens of countries. Culture & Film: “The Dreamed Adventure” won Best Film at Bulgaria’s Golden Rose National Film Festival, while North Macedonia’s presence also shows up in the wider regional festival circuit. Local Culture & Heritage: Ohrid’s UNESCO-listed streets, museums and Lake Ohrid experiences are highlighted in a travel guide focused on slow wandering, historic sites and family-friendly stops. Education & Community: North Macedonia’s rural schools continue to close as shrinking student numbers and emigration push pupils into larger nearby centers, reshaping local life. Roma Civic Life: The “Sherutnipe” initiative in Skopje links elected Roma representatives with organizations to turn local-budget projects into real improvements in infrastructure, education and housing. Church & Identity: The Ohrid Archbishopric publishes a canonical argument rejecting Constantinople’s claims to unilaterally grant autocephaly. Borders & Politics: Reports say former Albanian MP Azgan Haklaj was stopped at North Macedonia’s Bllatë border crossing, with a protest expected in Skopje tied to Kosovo-related court decisions.

Film & Festivals: “The Dreamed Adventure” won Best Film at Bulgaria’s Golden Rose National Film Festival in Varna, while Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov took Best Director for “Black Money for White Nights,” highlighting the region’s growing film scene. Urban Culture: Sofia’s seventh Urban Art festival transformed a pedestrian underpass near Ivan Vazov Market with 30+ artists, workshops, a graffiti competition, and an “United in Colors” theme that also includes artists from North Macedonia. Local Life & Education: North Macedonia’s shrinking schools continue as rural primary schools close or merge, with communities around Struga and the wider country losing classrooms and students. Roma Community & Civic Participation: The “Šerutnipe” initiative in Skopje links elected Roma representatives with organizations to turn local-budget public projects into real improvements in infrastructure, education, and housing. Heritage & Travel: Ohrid is promoted as a car-free UNESCO Old Town destination, with museums, lake experiences, and Bay of Bones attractions drawing visitors. Culture & Identity in the Region: A canonical response from the Ohrid Archbishopric challenges Constantinople’s claims over autocephaly, keeping Orthodox heritage debates in the spotlight.

Border & Politics: Former Albanian MP Azgan Haklaj was reportedly stopped at North Macedonia’s Bllatë border crossing near Dibër, with claims he was flagged by a security service linked to the prime minister’s office; he was traveling with journalist Ferdinand Samarxhiu as a Skopje protest is expected over Kosovo Specialist Chambers decisions. Education & Demography: North Macedonia’s shrinking schools continue to close—villages near Struga and elsewhere are losing primary classes as fewer children remain, pushing pupils into larger, centralized schools. Roma Civic Life: In Skopje, Roma leaders launched “Sherutnipe,” linking elected Roma representatives with local organizations to turn municipal budget projects into real improvements in infrastructure, education, and housing. Culture & Community: Sofia’s seventh Urban Art festival transformed a pedestrian underpass near Ivan Vazov Market with more than 30 artists, including participation from North Macedonia, plus workshops, music, and a graffiti competition. Heritage & Travel: A guide spotlights Ohrid’s UNESCO Old Town, museums like the Bay of Bones, and lake experiences—reinforcing the city’s cultural tourism appeal. Church Affairs: The Ohrid Archbishopric published a canonical analysis challenging Constantinople’s claims to grant autocephaly unilaterally.

Urban Art & Youth Workshops: Sofia’s seventh Urban Art festival turned the pedestrian underpass near Ivan Vazov Market into a live canvas, with 30+ Bulgarian and international artists painting under the theme “United in Colors,” plus a graffiti competition, educational workshops for young people, an art market, music, and artist meetings. Regional Culture & Film: CinEast Festival 2026 announced its selection, promising 65+ features and 60 shorts across 120+ screenings, with a Focus on Bulgaria and multiple special events. Local Heritage Travel: A guide spotlights Ohrid’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and museums, from the Bay of Bones to boat trips and beaches—an easy cultural itinerary for visitors. Roma Civic Participation: “Sherutnipe” brought Roma leaders to Skopje to connect elected representatives with groups delivering local-budget projects in areas like infrastructure, education, and housing. Education & Access: Coverage on North Macedonia’s shrinking schools highlights closures and mergers as rural communities face fewer pupils and fewer local learning options. Church Governance: The Ohrid Archbishopric published a canonical analysis challenging Constantinople’s claims to unilaterally grant autocephaly. Visa & Mobility (Lifestyle angle): Ireland released a 2026 list of 16 nationalities exempt from visa application fees, including North Macedonia.

Education & Demography: North Macedonia’s rural schools are shutting down or merging as birth rates and emigration shrink classrooms, with Struga municipality reporting multiple satellite primary closures and thousands fewer first-graders nationwide. Roma Community & Local Governance: The “Šerutnipe” initiative brings Roma elected representatives in Skopje together with partner organizations to push public projects funded through local budgets, highlighting infrastructure, education, and housing wins since 2019. Culture & Travel in Ohrid: A fresh lifestyle guide spotlights Ohrid’s UNESCO Old Town, car-free streets, museums like the Bay of Bones, and Lake Ohrid boat trips—plus beaches and local food stops. Church & Identity: The Ohrid Archbishopric publishes a canonical argument rejecting Constantinople’s right to unilaterally grant autocephaly, framing the dispute as a matter of established Orthodox procedure. Ethnic Rights & Human Stories: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova briefs the UN human rights chief on alleged discrimination against Bulgarians in North Macedonia, including job and university access concerns and the Iva Mihaylova medical-treatment case. Visa Policy & Mobility: Ireland lists 16 countries whose citizens are exempt from visa application fees in 2026, including North Macedonia—while still requiring the standard visa process. International Cultural Spotlight: CinEast Festival 2026 announces its selection, with a program spanning feature films, shorts, debates, concerts, and a Bulgaria focus.

Education & Demography: North Macedonia’s shrinking schools keep making headlines, with rural closures and mergers leaving villages like Dzepin and Poum near Struga without classrooms and communities without their school bell. Roma Civic Life: In Skopje, the initiative “Šerutnipe” brings together Roma leaders and local-budget project partners, aiming to turn mandates into real changes in infrastructure, education, and housing. Culture & Travel: Ohrid’s UNESCO Old Town and Lake Ohrid experiences are spotlighted in a practical guide, from the Bay of Bones Museum to boat trips and beaches. Film & Festivals: CinEast Festival 2026 has announced its selection, with a full programme spanning feature films, shorts, debates, concerts, and a Bulgaria focus. International Culture & Publishing: Istanbul hosts an Islamic publishing summit drawing 200+ publishers from 68 countries, with North Macedonia among the represented markets. Church & Identity: The Ohrid Archbishopric publishes a canonical analysis challenging Constantinople’s claims over autocephaly, arguing the process belongs to the mother church and pan-Orthodox consensus. Visa Policy (Regional Mobility): Ireland lists 16 nationalities exempt from visa application fees in 2026, including North Macedonia and Kosovo.

Roma Community Politics: In Skopje, the Roma initiative “Šerutnipe” brings together elected Roma representatives and local organizations to push Roma-focused public projects funded through municipal budgets, citing €42M secured since 2019 for infrastructure, education, and housing. Visa & Mobility Culture: Ireland published a 2026 list of 16 nationalities exempt from visa application fees, including North Macedonia and Kosovo—while still requiring the standard visa process. UN Diplomacy & Muslim Countries: At Netanyahu’s UNGA speech, dozens of delegations reportedly walked out; attention focused on which Muslim-majority states boycotted and which stayed, including UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Azerbaijan. Ohrid Heritage Tourism: A travel feature spotlights Ohrid’s UNESCO Old Town, car-free streets, museums, the Bay of Bones, Lake Ohrid boat trips to St Naum, and local food stops. Film & Publishing Culture: CinEast Festival 2026 announced its selections, while Istanbul hosts an International Summit on Islamic Publishing with 200+ publishers from 68 countries. Education & Access: EU reports say generative AI can both help and hinder learning, and that digital gaps persist—calling for stronger teacher training and school-level support. Local Education Reality: North Macedonia’s school “optimization” is closing 26 schools due to low enrollment and unsafe buildings, sparking parent protests over longer commutes.

Film & Culture: CinEast Festival 2026 has announced its selection, with a packed programme spanning main competitions and sidebar sections, plus concerts, debates, and a Focus on Bulgaria. Culture & Heritage: Ohrid keeps drawing visitors with UNESCO-listed Old Town strolls, museums like the Bay of Bones, and lake experiences—car-free streets and Byzantine-era charm included. Food Culture: London’s Napoli on the Road has been named the World’s Best Pizzeria for 2026 in the 50 Top Pizza ranking, beating top contenders from Italy and New York. Religion & Identity: The Ohrid Archbishopric’s Metropolitan Gregory of Kumanovo and Osogovo published a canonical analysis rejecting Constantinople’s right to unilaterally grant autocephaly. International Spotlight (North Macedonia angle): Ireland’s 2026 visa-fee exemptions include North Macedonia, while Denmark’s new 2027 work-permit route lists North Macedonia among eligible countries for employer-led hiring. Education & Society: North Macedonia’s school “optimization” is closing 26 schools due to declining student numbers, raising concerns for rural families.

Identity & Culture: The tiny Pacific island nation formerly known as Nauru officially renamed itself “Naoero” at the UN, restoring traditional pronunciation and identity. Migration & Mobility: Denmark is set to launch a new employer-driven work permit route for Indians from 1 January 2027, with a minimum pay threshold of about ₹47 lakh a year, while Ireland published a 2026 list of 16 nationalities exempt from visa application fees, including North Macedonia. Regional Europe: A guest commentary argues the EU should offer the Western Balkans a clear plan for joining Schengen to boost credibility and help settle border disputes. Religion & Church Affairs: The Ohrid Archbishopric rejected Constantinople’s unilateral autocephaly claims, citing canonical procedure, while UN talks also spotlighted rights concerns tied to Bulgarian origin in North Macedonia. Hate Speech & Rights: Kosovo women with public profiles face online smear campaigns and threats that can push self-censorship. Local Travel & Heritage: Ohrid’s UNESCO Old Town, museums, and Lake Ohrid experiences are highlighted as a car-free, culture-rich getaway. Food Culture: London’s “Napoli on the Road” was named the world’s best pizzeria for 2026. Education & Tech: EU reports say generative AI can help or hinder learning depending on responsible use, and that digital gaps still shape school experiences. Diplomacy: North Macedonia and Jordan signed an MoU on political consultations as ministers met in New York.

Ohrid Travel Guide: Ohrid is being pitched as a car-free, UNESCO Old Town escape, with visitors encouraged to wander the cobbled Byzantine and Ottoman streets, visit museums like the Bay of Bones, and enjoy Lake Ohrid boat trips to St Naum and its “heartbeat” tradition. Religious & Legal Tensions: The Ohrid Archbishopric’s hierarch published a canonical analysis rejecting Constantinople’s unilateral autocephaly claims, arguing the process belongs to the mother church and requires pan-Orthodox consensus. Ethnic Rights at UN: Bulgaria’s President Iliana Iotova briefed the UN human rights chief on alleged discrimination against people of Bulgarian origin in North Macedonia, including the Iva Mihaylova case. Education & Access: The EU Commission reports that generative AI can both help and hinder learning, stressing the need for teacher training and clearer rules as digital gaps persist. Local Education Restructuring: North Macedonia’s school “optimization” is closing 26 schools, sparking parent protests over safety and long commutes in rural areas. Diplomacy & Cooperation: Foreign ministers from North Macedonia and Jordan signed an MoU on political consultations, as bilateral talks also covered trade, investment, and education. Culture & Publishing: Istanbul is set to host an Islamic publishing summit bringing 200+ publishers from 68 countries, including North Macedonia, to boost copyright, translation, and international distribution. Sports Culture: BRAVE CF marks its 10th anniversary with a major European footprint, and North Macedonia is noted as a planned expansion market later in 2026.