AZAS – Annual Report 2025

Association for the Protection of Audiovisual Copyright and Related Rights

Published: January 2026

1. Message from the Secretary General

 

The year 2025 marked a turning point for AZAS. Although the organization continues to face institutional obstacles preventing full activation of its legal mandate, this was also the year in which AZAS emerged as a visible regional and European partner, strengthened its international cooperation, built new alliances, and demonstrated professional readiness to operate as a modern collective management organization.

From high-level conferences to bilateral institutional meetings, from regional CMO platforms to international speaking appearances, AZAS positioned itself as a credible participant in the European copyright environment.
The culmination of these efforts was the organization of the Skopje Regional Seminar, which brought together leading CMOs, institutions, authors and diplomats – ultimately resulting in the adoption of the Skopje Call, the strongest regional declaration ever issued in support of audiovisual authors’ rights in North Macedonia.

“AZAS is fully prepared – operationally, legally and organizationally – to begin collecting and distributing royalties the moment the Government approves its tariff. Our work in 2025 made that readiness visible across Europe.”
– Kiril Gjozev, Secretary General

2. Key Achievements in 2025

 

2.1 Strengthening International and Regional Representation

Throughout 2025, AZAS participated in major gatherings of CMOs, authors and copyright institutions, reinforcing North Macedonia’s presence in European copyright dialogue.

Major Events Attended

  • Regional CMO Coordination Meeting – Ljubljana, Slovenia (January 2025)
    Strengthening cooperation frameworks and aligning positions on Balkan copyright challenges.
  • 3SAN (Three Seas AV Network) Regional Meeting – Ljubljana (March 2025)
    Participation by Supervisory Board President Dejan Iliev.
  • Actors Summit – Zagreb (March 2025)
    Participation in a high-level gathering of performers’ organizations, sharing perspectives on regional copyright obstacles.
  • SCAPR General Assembly – Opening Panel Speaker (June 2025)
    AZAS presented the Macedonian situation to the global performers’ rights community, marking an important institutional recognition.
  • Regional CMO Meeting – Belgrade, Serbia (September 2025)
    Advanced discussions on reciprocity, tariffs and Balkan collective management harmonization.
  • SCAPR Working Groups Session – Athens (30 September – 3 October 2025)
    Technical participation in governance, distribution and transparency working groups.
  • SAA Council of General Policy (Brussels)
    Engagement on European copyright policy, authors’ remuneration and implementation of the DSM Directive.

 

2.2 Institutional Engagement and Advocacy

AZAS strengthened its dialogue with national and international institutions to resolve the long-standing barrier preventing tariff approval.

Key Meetings in 2025

  • Ministry of Culture – multiple consultations on tariff procedure and copyright alignment.
  • Creative Europe Desk – cooperation on capacity building and cultural sector development.
  • Cabinet of the Prime Minister – presentation of the Macedonian and regional implications of delayed tariff approval.
  • Ministry of European Affairs – analysis of EU alignment gaps (DSM, SatCab II) as reflected in Enlargement Reports 2023–2025.
  • President of the Parliament & Parliamentary Committees – discussions on legislative clarity and institutional responsibilities.
  • EU Delegation in Skopje – regular briefings on European reciprocity, cultural impact and authors’ rights obligations.
  • Embassies: France, Slovenia, Spain, Montenegro – diplomatic support efforts and information exchanges.
  • Association for Creative Industries (Economic Chamber of Commerce) – cooperation on cultural economy and creative sector visibility.
  • UNESCO Regional Office – exploration of potential cultural-rights initiatives.
  • British Council – discussions on cultural policy and international partnerships.

These meetings formed a coordinated year-long advocacy effort demanding that the Government place the AZAS tariff on its agenda – a step still pending.

 

2.3 Participation in Film Festivals, Public Events and Media Appearances

AZAS strengthened its visibility among authors, filmmakers and the broader cultural community.

Festivals and Industry Events

  • Málaga Film Festival 2025 – engagement in professional industry events, meetings with European authors’ organizations and stakeholders, and promotion of strategic cooperation on audiovisual authors’ rights.
  • Sarajevo Film Festival 2025 – participation in professional programme for authors’ rights and regional co-production.
  • ROME Euro-Balkan Film Festival – networking and visibility for Macedonian and regional creators.

Media Presence

  • National TV ALSAT-M – interview on authors’ rights, European alignment and AZAS’s role.
  • National TV TELMA – interview on the significance of collective management for Macedonian culture.
  • More than ten PR articles and media publications about AZAS’s activities, advocacy efforts and the Regional Seminar were published across national and online media outlets throughout 2025, significantly increasing public visibility and awareness of authors’ rights.

Through these appearances, AZAS communicated clearly that functioning copyright structures are essential to the economic sustainability of audiovisual creation.

 

2.4 Organisation of the Regional Seminar in Skopje (18–19 November 2025)

The Skopje Regional Seminar was the largest event ever organized by AZAS and a milestone for the region.

Highlights

  • Co-organised with SAA, AIPA Slovenia, and ZAPA Poland
  • Supported by WIPO
  • Attended by authors, CMOs, diplomats, institutions and policymakers from over 12 countries
  • Panels featuring experts from Spain, Slovakia, Estonia, Serbia, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia
  • Strong diplomatic participation and support, including the French and Slovenian Ambassadors
  • Public discussion on regional copyright challenges and the Macedonian situation

Adoption of the “Skopje Call”

The seminar concluded with a joint declaration calling for:

  • Immediate approval of the AZAS tariff
  • Strengthened coordination among national institutions
  • Active involvement of the EU Delegation and EU Member State embassies
  • Regional solidarity, reciprocity and transparency
  • Recognition that tariff approval is a legal obligation not dependent on the adoption of a new copyright law

The Skopje Call marked the first time the region spoke with one clear voice in support of Macedonian audiovisual authors.

 

2.5 Organizational Development

Despite being prevented from operating fully, AZAS invested in building internal capacity.

Internal Progress in 2025

  • Development of distribution methodologies
  • Strengthening of administrative capacity
  • Preparations for reciprocity agreements with EU and regional CMOs
  • Governance and transparency improvements
  • Growth of institutional partnerships and cooperation networks

AZAS ended 2025 fully prepared to begin collecting and distributing royalties immediately upon tariff approval.

3. Challenges and Outlook for 2026

Challenges

  • The Government has not yet placed the AZAS tariff on the agenda for approval.
  • Authors, performers and producers in North Macedonia – and the foreign ones whose works are used locally – remain without remuneration for over seven years.
  • EU reports continue to highlight alignment gaps in copyright law and enforcement.

Outlook

AZAS aims in 2026 to:

  • Intensify institutional advocacy
  • Expand technical cooperation with European CMOs
  • Advance public awareness campaigns
  • Prepare implementation systems for tariff-based collective management
  • Continue regional collaboration within 3SAN and Balkan CMOs Network
  • Continue European and global cooperation with SAA, SCAPR, AEPO-ARTIS, GAVA, AVACI and all individual CMOs.

Upon tariff approval, AZAS will immediately activate collection, distribution and reciprocal payments to both Macedonian and foreign rightsholders.

4. Conclusion

In 2025, AZAS proved that it is not only prepared to operate – it is already an active, respected and necessary part of the regional copyright landscape.
Under the leadership of Secretary General Kiril Gjozev and his team, the organization strengthened its visibility, credibility and partnerships, ensuring that Macedonian authors are represented at the European table even before the national system is operational.

2026 can – and must – be the year in which AZAS finally begins fulfilling its legal mandate.


AZAS stands ready; the institutional step now lies with the Government.