{
  "title": "Republic of North Macedonia: Selected Issues",
  "publication": "IMF Staff Country Reports, January 27, 2020",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2020/01/24/republic-of-north-macedonia-selected-issues-48983",
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  "summary": "This Selected Issues paper on the Republic of North Macedonia focuses on income convergence and integration of North Macedonia with the European Union (EU).",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Summary",
      "content": "- This Selected Issues paper focuses on income convergence and integration of North Macedonia with the European Union (EU).\n- Joining the EU has the potential to strengthen growth prospects based on the experience of other countries.\n- The macroeconomic indicators of North Macedonia appear aligned with other countries at the time they started EU accession negotiations.\n- The EU accession process constitutes a fundamental anchor for institutional reform momentum.\n- Significant efforts to improve institutional quality in new member states took place in the years prior to EU accession to comply with Copenhagen criteria on:\n  - stability of institutions, guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law;\n  - the existence of a functioning market economy;\n  - the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU.\n- The analysis shows evidence that opening of EU accession negotiations and better quality of institutions, rule of law, and control of corruption can improve growth prospects."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Key Findings",
      "content": "- EU accession can strengthen growth prospects for aspiring countries, including North Macedonia.\n- North Macedonia’s macroeconomic indicators are aligned with those of countries at the start of EU accession negotiations.\n- Institutional improvements driven by the accession process (including rule of law and control of corruption) are important channels for enhancing growth."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Policy Implications and Recommendations",
      "content": "- Pursue EU accession negotiations as an anchor for sustained institutional reform momentum.\n- Prioritize improvements in institutional quality, rule of law, and control of corruption to enhance growth prospects and better position North Macedonia for integration into the EU.\n- Ensure compliance with Copenhagen criteria to meet democratic, market economy, and competitiveness requirements ahead of membership.\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- Republic of North Macedonia: Selected Issues; IMF Country Report No. 20/25; December 27, 2019\n  - Republic of North Macedonia: Selected Issues; IMF Country Report No. 20/25; December 27, 2019 (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - Republic of North Macedonia: Selected Issues; IMF Country Report No. 20/25; December 27, 2019 (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}"
    }
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    "Published: January 27, 2020",
    "Series: IMF Staff Country Reports",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513527932.002",
    "This Selected Issues paper focuses on income convergence and integration of North Macedonia with the European Union (EU).",
    "Joining the EU has the potential to strengthen growth prospects based on the experience of other countries.",
    "The macroeconomic indicators of North Macedonia appear aligned with other countries at the time they started EU accession negotiations.",
    "The EU accession process constitutes a fundamental anchor for institutional reform momentum.",
    "Significant efforts to improve institutional quality in new member states took place in the years prior to EU accession to comply with Copenhagen criteria on:",
    "The analysis shows evidence that opening of EU accession negotiations and better quality of institutions, rule of law, and control of corruption can improve growth prospects.",
    "EU accession can strengthen growth prospects for aspiring countries, including North Macedonia.",
    "North Macedonia’s macroeconomic indicators are aligned with those of countries at the start of EU accession negotiations.",
    "Institutional improvements driven by the accession process (including rule of law and control of corruption) are important channels for enhancing growth.",
    "Pursue EU accession negotiations as an anchor for sustained institutional reform momentum.",
    "Prioritize improvements in institutional quality, rule of law, and control of corruption to enhance growth prospects and better position North Macedonia for integration into the EU.",
    "Ensure compliance with Copenhagen criteria to meet democratic, market economy, and competitiveness requirements ahead of membership.",
    "**Republic of North Macedonia: Selected Issues; IMF Country Report No. 20/25; December 27, 2019**"
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