AGP Executive Report

Border & Courts: North Macedonia denied entry to Bulgarian MP Angel Georgiev for Iva Mihaylova’s Kočani hearing, as Mihaylova says her health is deteriorating and she can’t get needed treatment in North Macedonia. EU Politics: The EU is drafting membership roadmaps with indicative timelines for Montenegro, Ukraine, Moldova and Albania, while not initially extending them to North Macedonia. Regional Energy: Western Balkans leaders are set for Energy Week Western Balkans in Budva (Oct 6–7), aiming for 20 GW of new renewables by 2040. Film & Festivals: Bitola’s Manaki Brothers cinematography awards went to Fatherland (Golden Camera 300) and Until the Day Ends (Bronze), while Bulgaria’s Golden Rose crowned Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure. Arts & Culture: Sofia’s Urban Art festival turned a pedestrian underpass near Ivan Vazov Market into a live mural project with 30+ artists, including from North Macedonia. Sports (Nations League): Switzerland opened with a 3-0 win over North Macedonia; Scotland’s new coach Sébastien Pocognoli began with a 0-0 draw in Slovenia, with Scotland set to host Switzerland next.

Manaki Brothers Film Festival: Bitola’s 47th International Cinematographers’ Film Festival Manaki Brothers crowned Fatherland (Golden Camera 300) and honored A Girl Unknown (Silver) plus Until the Day Ends (Bronze), with documentary cinematography prizes shared for Krakatoa and The Beauty of the Donkey; the Golden Camera 300 for contribution went to Danish legend Dan Laustsen. Regional Film Spotlight: Germany’s The Dreamed Adventure won Best Film at Bulgaria’s 44th Golden Rose National Film Festival in Varna, while Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov took Best Director for Black Money for White Nights. Fashion & History: A new art-history feature explores how imported fabrics and elite status signals shaped women’s dress across 18th-century Dalmatia. Urban Arts: Sofia’s seventh Urban Art festival turned a pedestrian underpass near Ivan Vazov Market into a live canvas with 30+ artists, workshops, and music—featuring creators including North Macedonia’s Djo Venci’s calligraphy concept. Local Culture Lens: Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski presented Good People, a documentary on the Kochani Pulse nightclub tragedy focused on survivors’ and rescuers’ firsthand stories. Tech & Commerce (Local angle): Iute Group launched iuteMarket inside its Myiute app in Albania and North Macedonia, letting users browse and buy partner products with financing—spanning electronics, home goods, beauty and fitness.

Macedonia in the spotlight (sports): Switzerland opened its UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-0 win over North Macedonia in Skopje, with Remo Freuler scoring and Zeki Amdouni netting twice, leaving North Macedonia at the bottom after one match. Scotland-Nations League (sports): Scotland began a new era under Sébastien Pocognoli with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Ljubljana, with both sides failing to break through despite Scotland’s stronger second half. Swiss squad shake-up (sports): Switzerland also lost Breel Embolo from the Nations League squad after fresh reporting tied to forged COVID-19 test certificates, following captain Granit Xhaka’s earlier withdrawal over a similar scandal. Arts & film (culture): Acclaimed Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski presented his documentary Good People, focused on the Kochani Pulse nightclub tragedy, saying he wanted to hear stories from those directly affected. Urban art (culture): Sofia’s Urban Art festival transformed a pedestrian underpass near Ivan Vazov Market with 30+ artists, including participation from North Macedonia. Local arts industry (culture): CinEast Festival 2026 announced its selection, adding more momentum for regional screen culture.

North Macedonia in the spotlight: Switzerland’s Nations League campaign kicks off in Skopje, with North Macedonia set to host the first match of the window as Breel Embolo is ruled out after fresh reports tied to forged COVID-19 test documents. Scotland’s new era: Sébastien Pocognoli begins his Scotland reign with a Nations League opener vs Slovenia in Ljubljana, promising a more front-foot approach and calling up several uncapped players. Nations League matchday buzz: England host world champions Spain at Wembley, while France start their campaign with a win over Türkiye and Belgium open with a 2-0 away victory against Italy. Arts & culture (Skopje): Macedonian animation pioneer Tonkica Mitrovska has died in Skopje, remembered for decades of work at Vardar Film’s animation studio. Film festival news: CinEast Festival 2026 announces its selection, including a Focus on Bulgaria strand and multiple international co-productions.

UEFA Nations League (TV/streaming): England host Spain at Wembley (Sept 26, 19:45 local). In the U.S., it’s on FS2 with streaming via fubo. Scotland’s Nations League opener: New boss Sébastien Pocognoli starts with Slovenia vs Scotland in Ljubljana (Stadion Stožice, 2pm BST). Coverage in the UK is on BBC One/BBC One Scotland, with BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport streaming. Sports-to-culture link: A local guide to Ljubljana spotlights the city’s “dragons” theme as Scotland’s Tartan Army arrives for the new era. Macedonian arts (loss): Macedonian animation pioneer Tonkica Mitrovska has died in Skopje at 78; she helped shape Vardar Film’s animation output and received major national honors. Film festival (region): CinEast Festival 2026 announces its selection, with a strong international and co-production presence and multiple sidebar programs. Human rights & politics (EU-North Macedonia): MEP Ivaylo Valchev says the EP’s next North Macedonia report should include the Iva Mihaylova case, following EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee discussions. Sports cooperation: North Macedonia and Azerbaijan sign an MoU on sports cooperation after a Skopje delegation visit to Baku.

Sports & Diplomacy: Switzerland’s Nations League plans take a hit as Breel Embolo is dropped from the squad over forged COVID-19 documents, days after captain Granit Xhaka withdrew after admitting a fake certificate—Switzerland still opens against North Macedonia. EU Human Rights: In Skopje, MEP Ivaylo Valchev says the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee conclusions include a cross-border cooperation clause for humanitarian cases, while he pushes to have the Iva Mihaylova case named in the EP’s next North Macedonia report. Film & Culture: Macedonian animation pioneer Tonkica Mitrovska has died in Skopje at 78, remembered for decades of work at Vardar Film’s Animation Studio and for directing the short “The End / Kraj.” Cinema Spotlight: The 44th Golden Rose Film Festival in Varna crowns Valeska Grisebach’s “The Dreamed Adventure” with the top Golden Rose Trophy. Sports Cooperation: North Macedonia and Azerbaijan sign an MoU on sports cooperation after a visit by Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski.

Golden Rose Film Festival: Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure won the top Golden Rose Trophy at the 44th Golden Rose Film Festival, also picking up the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers’ Award, with the jury praising its camera work, locations and non-professional performances. Macedonian Animation Legacy: Skopje lost pioneer Tonkica Mitrovska (78), one of North Macedonia’s first animation professionals, whose decades of work at Vardar Film helped shape the country’s animated-film output. CinEast 2026: CinEast Festival 2026 announced its selection, with a packed programme spanning main competition, young talents, and multiple sidebar sections, plus a Focus on Bulgaria spotlighting films and filmmakers. Nations League Culture-to-Sport Link: Scotland’s new era under Sebastien Pocognoli kicks off with Nations League matches that include a trip to face North Macedonia, while Hearts winger Josh McPake is tipped for a start and Scotland’s squad reshuffle keeps North Macedonia in the spotlight. Sports Diplomacy: North Macedonia and Azerbaijan signed an MoU on sports cooperation during a visit by Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski.

Obituary: Macedonian animation pioneer Tonkica Mitrovska has died in Skopje at 78. A Vardar Film/Skopje Animation School veteran, she worked on more than 20 animated films and helped shape the country’s animation standards, later receiving major honors including the Golden Frame Award (2021) and Golden Lens Award (2023). Film & Festivals: CinEast Festival 2026 has announced its selection, with a packed programme of 65+ feature films and 60+ shorts across 120+ screenings, plus concerts, debates, and exhibitions. This year’s spotlight is Bulgaria, with multiple Bulgarian films and filmmakers in attendance, alongside avant-premieres of two Luxembourg coproductions. Sports & Culture (Local relevance): UEFA Nations League 2026-27 kicks off this week, with North Macedonia in Group B1 against Scotland, Switzerland, and Slovenia—setting up a busy run of matches that also intersects with major public attention on the region’s football scene. Cinema Production: Slovenian director Lun Sevnik has wrapped shooting on The Healers, a Slovenian/Macedonian/Czech/Croatian/French coproduction, starring Matevž Sluga and featuring a “miracle healer” story set in Ljubljana’s spiritual circles.

Sports Diplomacy: North Macedonia’s Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski visited Azerbaijan and signed a sports cooperation MoU with host youth and sports officials, aiming to expand exchanges and joint initiatives. Football & Culture: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli is set to open his Nations League era in Ljubljana, with North Macedonia in the same group and the spotlight on a squad reshuffle; meanwhile, the wider Nations League schedule keeps North Macedonia’s matches in view. Film Production: Slovenian director Lun Sevnik has wrapped shooting on The Healers / Zdravilca, a Slovenian-Macedonian coproduction filmed in Slovenia and Croatia, following a debt-strapped healer pulled into a “miracle” story. Arts & Film Festivals: Storyland International Film Festival in Slovenia handed out Golden Pumpkins, with The Old Oak winning fiction and Trillion taking documentary honors. Weather & Season Mood: A cold spell brought the first snow of the season to parts of the Balkans, including high areas in the region.

UEFA Nations League Focus: Germany kick off the Jurgen Klopp era with a trip to the Netherlands, while the wider 2026-27 Nations League map puts North Macedonia in League B alongside Scotland, Switzerland and Slovenia—so the next fixtures are already shaping up as must-watch for regional fans. Local Diplomacy: North Macedonia’s future ambassador to Bulgaria, Krum Efremov, says Sofia must move toward “de-escalation” and a better climate, while EU talks and unresolved EU-accession obstacles remain the big test. Film & Culture: The Arab Critics’ Awards shortlist for European films is out, with titles from across Europe including Croatia’s Petty Thieves and Greece’s Hold Onto Me—a reminder of how Balkan stories keep crossing borders. Cinema Production: Slovenian director Lun Sevnik has wrapped The Healers/Zdravilca, a multi-country coproduction that includes Macedonian participation and is set in Ljubljana’s spiritual scene. Sports & Spotlight: Scotland’s new coach Sebastien Pocognoli names a fresh-look squad for Nations League matches that include a visit to North Macedonia. Weather: A cold spell brings the season’s first snow to parts of the Balkans, including reports from Bulgaria and Kosovo.

Scotland-Nations League build-up: New boss Sebastien Pocognoli says he feels “positive nervousness” ahead of the opener in Ljubljana, with a squad packed with fresh faces including 19-year-old James Wilson and uncapped players; North Macedonia spotlight: Scotland’s Nations League run also includes matches in North Macedonia, putting the country in the spotlight again as the group reshuffles; Hearts momentum: Ugandan winger Rogers Mato credits Hearts coach Wouter Vrancken for boosting his confidence and attacking freedom after limited early minutes at Tynecastle; Film production (regional): Slovenian director Lun Sevnik has wrapped shooting on The Healers / Zdravilca, a Slovenian/Macedonian/Czech/Croatian/French coproduction with a Ljubljana-set story about hope, debt, and a “miracle boy”; EU arts-adjacent policy: EU ministers debated the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework and discussed rule-of-law developments in candidate countries including North Macedonia; MMA culture: BRAVE CF marks its 10th anniversary and highlights its growing European footprint, with expansion into North Macedonia planned later in 2026.

Film & TV (Local/Regional): Slovenian director Lun Sevnik has wrapped shooting on The Healers / Zdravilca, a Slovenian–Macedonian–Czech–Croatian–French coproduction filmed in Slovenia and Croatia, following a debt-strapped “New Age healer” whose “miracle boy” story spirals through Ljubljana’s spiritual elite. Film Festivals: Storyland International Film Festival (Slovenia) crowned The Old Oak and Trillion with Golden Pumpkins, with A River’s Gaze also taking top honors as the inaugural edition screened 54 films. Sports (Scotland–North Macedonia link): Scotland’s new boss Sebastien Pocognoli says his first squad is only a starting point, with call-ups reshuffled by injuries ahead of Nations League matches that include fixtures versus North Macedonia. Sports (North Macedonia in the spotlight): Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted using a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate and will miss upcoming Nations League games, including clashes involving North Macedonia. MMA (North Macedonia market): BRAVE CF marks its 10th anniversary with the biggest European footprint among major MMA promotions, and notes expansion into North Macedonia later in 2026.

Football & National Teams: Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from Slovenia’s Nations League squad after a recurrence of a shin problem, ruling him out of matches that include North Macedonia. Sports Controversy: Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted he obtained a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022, and Swiss prosecutors have opened a case; he has stepped aside from upcoming Nations League games that also feature North Macedonia. Scotland Squad News: New Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli has added Blackburn midfielder Kristi Montgomery after injuries forced out Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean, with Scotland set to play Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia. Local Politics (Arts-adjacent): North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski says talks with Bulgaria are being discussed with EU partners, as Skopje seeks to “regain positions” through international political debate.

Football & Accountability: Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted he used a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, saying he was driven by fear and “deep mistrust” of vaccines. Sports Governance: Prosecutors in Lucerne are investigating; Switzerland’s federation says Xhaka will miss upcoming Nations League matches, including fixtures involving North Macedonia. Scotland Squad Shake-up: New Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli called up Blackburn midfielder Kristi Montgomery after Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean withdrew, with the squad training in La Manga ahead of Nations League games vs Slovenia, Switzerland, and North Macedonia. Local Politics & EU Context: North Macedonia’s PM Hristijan Mickoski said talks with Bulgaria are being pursued with European partners, stressing EU participation and a need to rebuild trust. Arts & Culture Spotlight: The Global Fred Award forum in Beijing highlighted international cultural cooperation, including recognition for North Macedonian scholar-artist Zoran Poposki.

Sports & Ethics: Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted he used a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate, apologized, and said he’s cooperating with authorities; prosecutors in Lucerne are investigating, and the Swiss FA has sidelined him from the upcoming Nations League camp and matches. North Macedonia–EU Dialogue: Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski says North Macedonia is ready to discuss a minorities plan with Bulgaria, but wants EU participation in the process. Football Injury Watch: Manchester United face uncertainty around Benjamin Šeško as he’s assessed for a recurring shin injury that could affect his availability for Slovenia’s Nations League games including vs North Macedonia. Arts & Culture (Local Spotlight): North Macedonia’s Zoran Poposki received a 2026 Global Fred Award for International Excellence Contribution, highlighting international art communication and cross-border cultural exchange. Media & Streaming: Apple is expanding iCloud+ bundles to include Apple TV and Apple Arcade in 100+ countries, including North Macedonia. Sports Media Access: EuroLeague TV added more domestic leagues to its live offering, with availability listed for North Macedonia among other territories.

Arts & Culture: North Macedonia’s Zoran Poposki, an internationally known interdisciplinary artist and educator, received the 2026 Global Fred Award for International Excellence Contribution, highlighting cross-border art communication and education. Film & TV: The 44th Golden Rose Bulgarian Feature Film Festival opens in Varna with “Nina Roza” and a competitive lineup including “She Who Remains” and “Black Money for White Nights,” plus tributes and a film roundtable on Bulgaria’s place in Europe. Sports (Regional): EuroLeague TV expands its live coverage with more domestic leagues for 2026-27, including availability in North Macedonia, while the EHF says 11 nations have expressed interest to host the 2034 European Handball Euros, with North Macedonia among the bidders. Music/Pop Culture: Tom Felton’s sci-fi “Altered” is finding a second life on streaming, climbing HBO Max’s global charts. Community & Heritage: A Mother Teresa anniversary Mass marked the 10th year since her canonization, with her Albanian roots traced back to Skopje.