Ireland-North Macedonia relations received fresh diplomatic attention on 30 October 2026, when Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne TD welcomed Bekim Sali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of European Affairs of the Republic of North Macedonia, to Iveagh House in Dublin.
The meeting highlighted Ireland’s continued support for North Macedonia’s European ambitions while examining opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation and engagement across the Western Balkans.
Ireland-North Macedonia Relations and EU Enlargement
Talks between Minister Byrne and Deputy Prime Minister Sali focused on three central areas:
- Bilateral relations between Ireland and North Macedonia
- North Macedonia’s EU accession journey
- Political and regional developments in the Western Balkans
Minister Byrne said EU enlargement remains a key priority of the Irish EU Presidency. He also reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to supporting North Macedonia’s efforts to advance its European integration process.
The discussion follows Minister Byrne’s visit to Skopje last year, during which he underlined Ireland’s support for North Macedonia’s EU integration efforts. The latest meeting therefore represents a continuation of diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
Growing Diplomatic Engagement Between Dublin and Skopje
The meeting comes after a series of high-level contacts designed to deepen Ireland-North Macedonia relations. In June, Timcho Mucunski, North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, visited Ireland.
According to Minister Byrne, those visits demonstrate the positive state of bilateral relations and provide a foundation for further cooperation. Ireland is also increasing its wider engagement throughout the Western Balkans, a region of strategic importance to European security, stability and enlargement policy.
For North Macedonia, continued support from EU member states remains important as it works through the requirements associated with membership. For Ireland, engagement reflects its broader interest in strengthening European cooperation and supporting credible enlargement pathways.
Read more
Latest Ireland government and public affairs news | Irish political and international news updates
Why the Western Balkans Matter to Ireland
Ireland’s engagement with the Western Balkans extends beyond individual diplomatic meetings. Cooperation in the region connects with wider European priorities, including democratic resilience, regional stability, economic development and closer relations between candidate countries and EU institutions.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is central to Ireland’s international diplomacy, while the Department of the Taoiseach helps coordinate national policy on European affairs. Together, Ireland’s diplomatic efforts contribute to the country’s role in EU discussions on enlargement and external relations.
Explore more
Explore international affairs, diplomacy and global news | Read more Ireland news and current affairs coverage
Key Takeaway
The meeting between Thomas Byrne and Bekim Sali confirms that Ireland-North Macedonia relations are developing through sustained political contact. With EU enlargement high on Ireland’s agenda, Dublin’s support for North Macedonia’s European path and broader Western Balkans engagement is likely to remain an important part of Ireland’s foreign policy.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie