NORTH MACEDONIA TOWARD THE EUROPEAN UNION THROUGH GOOD NEIGHBORLINESS

After declaring independence in January 1991, North Macedonia decided that its future would be in the family of democratic peoples of Europe. North Macedonia has clearly expressed its priority for membership in the European Union as one of its strategic and vital interests. With the realization of this determination, the Republic of North Macedonia was legitimized as a reliable partner and ally of the European Union, but it still went through a series of different stages in the development of relations, rapprochement, and integration in the EU. We all know that reforms are required within the states that seek and want to be members of the European Union. There are several important steps through which the state of North Macedonia, a candidate country, has shown its goodwill in the long path of integration and contribution. The key points and changes necessary to achieve the goal of being part of the European Union that have been realized so far are the following: the Prespa Agreement between North Macedonia and Greece, the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and the Union of Cooperation, between Macedonia North and Bulgaria. This paper analyzes North Macedonia's approach to the European Union, the transition, its difficulties and challenges on this path, and the Constitution's changes. In the end, conclusions and suggestions are given to make North Macedonia's path towards the European Union a little easier.