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Kosovo–North Macedonia relations

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Kosovo–North Macedonia
Map indicating locations of Kosovo and North Macedonia

Kosovo
North Macedonia
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Kosovo, SkopjeEmbassy of North Macedonia, Pristina
Envoy
Ambassador Gjergj DedajAmbassador Shpresa Jusufi

Kosovo–North Macedonia relations are diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia.

Diplomatic relations

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Informal relations started on 9 October 2008 when North Macedonia recognised Kosovo after its declaration of independence from Serbia on 17 February of the same year.[1][2] In October 2009, Kosovo signed an agreement to re-adjust its border with North Macedonia by exchanging some lands.[3][citation needed] On 17 October 2009, Skopje and Pristina officially established diplomatic relations.[4] On 12 November 2009, North Macedonia upgraded its Liaison Office in Pristina to an Embassy and an Ambassador was appointed.[5] Kosovan Embassy in Albania was initially accredited to North Macedonia [6] until an embassy was opened in Skopje.[7]

Travel

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North Macedonia recognised the Kosovan passport on 12 July 2008 prior to full diplomatic recognition of the Republic of Kosovo. Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo can stay 90 days visa free in North Macedonia. Citizens of North Macedonia can stay in the Republic of Kosovo for 90 days visa free also.[8]

History

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Before the recognition, the President Branko Crvenkovski said "The Republic of Macedonia will decide its view when we deem it most appropriate for our interests. [The Republic of Macedonia] would follow the position of NATO and the European Union on Kosovo, but nations in the two organisations have to yet to assume a common stance."[9][10] The Democratic Party of Albanians left the government coalition on 13 March 2008 after it failed to meet their six demands, recognising Kosovo's independence being one of them. However, it returned on 24 March 2008 after demanding the recognition of Kosovo.[11] On 27 March 2008, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia Antonio Milošoski issued the following statement: "In welcoming the constructive position of the Republic of Macedonia concerning Kosovo, the Commission on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament has expressed concern because of delay in the technical demarcation of the Republic of Macedonia-Kosovo borderline and has asked that this issue be solved in accordance with the Ahtisaari proposal."[12] This reiterated Macedonia's support for the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo, which was endorsed by the foreign affairs ministry a year earlier, on 30 March 2007.[13] On 10 July, Foreign Ministry spokesman Petar Culev announced that Macedonia will accept new Kosovan passports.[14] Ali Ahmeti, leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration party, said Macedonia would recognise Kosovo after problems over the border demarcation were resolved.[15] (The Democratic Union for Integration is a member of the governing coalition; however, Ahmeti has no role as minister in the government.) North Macedonia has 158.7 km (98.6 mi)-long border with Kosovo. On 12 May 2009 Gjorge Ivanov became the new president of Macedonia. Soon after his inauguration Ivanov invited the president of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu to be the first statesman to visit Macedonia in his mandate, but Sejdiu cancelled his visit to Macedonia, because the visit was planned to be a non-formal meeting. The Kosovan side expected a full official meeting between two statesmen. The following weeks saw something of a crisis in the relations of the two countries. There were even speculations that Macedonia might revert its decision to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. However, Skopje officially denied that it wants to revert the recognition of Kosovo. Relations were normalised soon at a regional meeting.

Bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries were assessed as good, while the Albanians living in North Macedonia are considered to be a strong connecting bridge with Kosovo. In December 2021, President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, visited Kosovo. It was the first time a president of this neighboring country visited Kosovo on an official visit.[16][17] In March 2022, Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi, stated at a meeting with President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, in Pristina, that North Macedonia unreservedly supports Kosovo's membership in NATO, the Council of Europe and other international organizations.[18][19]

According to a 2024 survey conducted by IRI Global, 10% of surveyed Macedonians view Kosovo as North Macedonia’s biggest threat, while Serbia is viewed as the biggest ally by 34% of the surveyed.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Macedonia recognizes Kosovo". MIA.com.mk. Skopje: Macedonian Information Agency. 2008-10-09. Archived from the original on 2008-10-15. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
  2. ^ "Earth Times | News and Information about Environmental Issues". earthtimes.org.
  3. ^ "Latest AP - World Headlines". CBS News. Archived from the original on 2019-08-21. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  4. ^ "Kosovo and FYR of Macedonia establish diplomatic relations". New Kosova Report. 2009-10-18. Archived from the original on 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  5. ^ "Maqedonia hapë ambasadën në Prishtinë". Telegrafi.com. 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  6. ^ "Kosovo Plans Diplomatic Offensive for '09" balkaninsight.com 26 December 2008 Link accessed 12/11/09
  7. ^ "Maqedoni - Ambasadat e Republikës së Kosovës". ambasadat.net. January 25, 2022.
  8. ^ "Visa Regime of the Republic of North Macedonia Towards Other Countries, Special Administrative Regions and Entities and Territorial Authorities that are not recognised as States" Archived 2008-11-16 at the Wayback Machine Official website (mfa.gov.mk) Link accessed January 13, 2009.
  9. ^ "Macedonia's president cautious on Kosovo, dispute with Greece". International Herald Tribune. 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  10. ^ "Kosovo Neighbours Wary Of Recognition". Balkan Insight. 2008-02-26. Archived from the original on 2008-03-01. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  11. ^ "Albanian party in Macedonia returns to government"[permanent dead link‍], Reuters, printed in Today's Zaman, 24 March 2008. Link accessed 2008-04-05.
  12. ^ "Press release: THE COMMISSION ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN BRUSSELS ADOPTS THE 2007 PROGRESS REPORT ON THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA" Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of the Foreign Affairs:Media Center, 27 March 2008. Link accessed 2008-04-05.
  13. ^ "Press release: INFORMAL MEETING OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER-STATES" Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia: Media Center, 30 March 2007. Link accessed 2008-04-05.
  14. ^ North Macedonia to Accept Kosovo Passports
  15. ^ "Recognition of Kosovo by Macedonia not far: DUI leader". Focus Information Agency. 2008-08-23. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
  16. ^ "President Pendarovski at the press conference with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani: We are ready to contribute to an infrastructure advanced and economically prosperous region". President of the Republic of North Macedonia. 15 December 2021.
  17. ^ SADRIU, President of the Republic of Kosovo-DR VJOSA OSMANI-. "President Osmani received the President of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski". President of the Republic of Kosovo - DR. VJOSA OSMANI - SADRIU.
  18. ^ SADRIU, President of the Republic of Kosovo-DR VJOSA OSMANI-. "President Osmani received the Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Mr. Talat Xhaferi". President of the Republic of Kosovo - DR. VJOSA OSMANI - SADRIU.
  19. ^ "Xhaferi: North Macedonia supports Kosovo's membership in international organizations". KosovaPress. 4 March 2022.
  20. ^ "IRI Western Balkans Poll: Strong Support for EU Membership, Russia's Attacks on Ukraine Unjustified". IRI. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
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