Skip to main content
Opposed

North Macedonia

Umbrella state (NATO)

North Macedonia participated in the negotiations on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2017, but did not cast a vote on the adoption of the Treaty. It has consistently voted against the annual UN General Assembly resolutions on the TPNW, including in 2024. North Macedonia may sign and ratify or accede to the TPNW, but will have to make changes to its policies and practices to become compliant.

TPNW Status

SIGNATURE
DEPOSIT WITH UNSG
ENTRY INTO FORCE
DECLARATION
Key weapons of mass destruction treaties
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Party to the TPNW No
Party to the NPT Yes (Acceded 1995)
Ratified the CTBT Yes (Ratified 2000)
Party to an NWFZ No
CSA with the IAEA Yes (In force 2002)
AP with the IAEA Yes (In force 2007)
BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Party to the BWC Yes (Acceded 1996)
Party to the CWC Yes (Acceded 1997)
TPNW Art. 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2024
(a) Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire Compatible
Possess or stockpile Compatible
Test Compatible
(b) Transfer Compatible
(c) Receive transfer or control Compatible
(d) Use Compatible
Threaten to use Compatible
(e) Assist, encourage or induce Non-compatible
(f) Seek or receive assistance Compatible
(g) Allow stationing, installation, deployment Compatible
TPNW voting and participation
UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) Voted no (2024)
Participated in 2MSP (2023) No
Participated in 1MSP (2022) No
Average MSP delegation size (% women) N/A
Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) Did not vote
Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) Yes
Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) Voted yes
Fissile material
Nuclear facilities No
Fissile material production No
HEU stocks No
Plutonium stocks No
SQP with the IAEA Yes (Modified)

Latest developments

In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2024, North Macedonia pledged to ‘continue to respect, protect and strengthen the multilateral framework for disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control’, which it said is being ‘continuously eroded due to violations of its norms’.1

In the same statement, North Macedonia asserted that ‘nuclear deterrence has been a core component of NATO’s collective security’ since the military alliance was formed in 1949.

Recommendations

  • North Macedonia should renounce the possession and potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf, and ensure that nuclear weapons do not have a role in its defence posture.

  • North Macedonia should comply with its existing obligation under Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and pursue negotiations in good faith on nuclear disarmament.

  • North Macedonia should urgently adhere to the TPNW. Until it is in a position to do so, it should welcome the TPNW as a valuable component in the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, work with the Treaty's states parties on practical steps towards disarmament, and attend the meetings of states parties as an observer.

Can you help us update this state profile? Send e-mail
Did you find this interesting?
Print state profile