Renewable Energy Deal: EBRD approved a €175m loan for Greece’s PPC to build about 400 MW of wind and solar across Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, boosting clean output and energy security. Power Storage Milestone: YESS Power commissioned a 30 MW battery storage system in North Macedonia, co-located with Mey Energy’s Novaci solar park, aiming to stabilize renewables on the grid. EU Enlargement & Governance: EU member states agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, while a separate push from EU heavyweights seeks faster safeguards against “democratic and legal breaches” by future members—an issue that matters for the Western Balkans’ integration path. Skopje-Türkiye Business Push: North Macedonia’s PM Mickoski invited Turkish investors in Istanbul, pitching Skopje as a gateway to European supply chains, while trade officials said bilateral trade is moving toward a $2bn target. Investment Climate Pressure: A report warns North Macedonia’s push for higher-quality FDI is increasingly tied to EU accession progress, as net FDI fell sharply in 2025. Industry & Materials: Vipul Organics signed an exclusive European distribution deal with Omya for pigment dispersions and powders, including North Macedonia and other Balkan markets. Environment & Compliance Risk: With the EU Deforestation Regulation delayed to late 2026, illegal logging networks are accelerating in the region, including forests shared by Albania and North Macedonia. Regional Cyber Cooperation: North Macedonia joined a major Adriatic cyber exercise (CACE 2026) with regional partners and U.S. National Guard teams.