Bilateral Talks: Serbia’s PM Djuro Macut is set to visit North Macedonia on Friday for meetings with PM Hristijan Mickoski in Ohrid, with a delegation covering mining/energy, transport, construction and agriculture. Transport & Connectivity: Bulgaria and North Macedonia held the first joint committee meeting in Sofia on the cross-border railway tunnel under Corridor 8, agreeing on rules of procedure, a preliminary timetable and next steps on financing. Energy Update: North Macedonia’s gasification push is moving forward as the Greece interconnector nears completion, aiming to diversify supply and expand the domestic gas distribution network. Digital Payments: Nayax has launched its cashless payment services in North Macedonia, letting merchants accept card payments via its commerce platform, with a focus on unattended retail. EU/Regional Integration: Austria’s S3 presidency has adopted a work program prioritizing Western Balkans EU integration, energy security and cross-border connectivity. Local Society & Culture: Skopje is highlighted among Europe’s cheapest destinations for a pint, while Lake Ohrid has avoided UNESCO’s danger list—though experts warn environmental and urban pressures remain. Politics & Governance: Opposition in the region continues to challenge election-roll transparency, with claims of refusal to provide voting roll data.