EU Sanctions Alignment: The EU welcomed eight countries—including North Macedonia—agreeing to align with restrictive measures against Belarus tied to its role in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Energy Trade: Kosovo and North Macedonia’s state energy companies signed a three-year coal deal for about 3 million tonnes from Obiliq mine at €24.40 per tonne, aimed at boosting power generation once a contractor is selected. Power Sector Support: North Macedonia’s Rade Koncar delivered power transformers to Ukraine’s Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions to help restore infrastructure hit by Russian attacks. Agrifood Border Controls: Bulgaria’s Food Safety Agency returned an 11.6-tonne peppers shipment from North Macedonia after detecting formetanate residues above permitted levels, with intensified checks continuing at border points. Hydropower vs Nature: In Sar Mountain National Park, authorities dismantled and removed infrastructure tied to two planned small hydropower plants (Pena 84 and Pena 85) to restore the disturbed Leshnica Valley. Jobs & Industry Context: A new study flags workforce pressure across Central and Southeastern Europe, noting North Macedonia’s employment rate at 64.4% while Hungary saw the steepest decline. EU Market Access Pressure: A report says the EU is moving toward stricter pesticide rules that could hit agricultural exporters, including Brazil, with higher costs and potential price rises. Digital & Manufacturing Tech: Mikrosam (Prilep) showcased automated fiber placement and composites automation systems for industrial production, while a separate initiative highlights identity verification for “Universal Basic Compute” access.