Foreign relations of North Macedonia

Politics of North Macedonia

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* President

Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
* Prime Minister

Hristijan Mickoski

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* Assembly

President: Afrim Gashi

Elections

* Recent elections

* Presidential: 2019
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* Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Timčo Mucunski

* * *

* Diplomatic missions of / in North Macedonia

* * *

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* * *

* EU accession
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* Naming issue

Negotiator: Nikola Dimitrov
Special Envoy: Vlado Bučkovski

North Macedonia portal

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The foreign relations of North Macedonia since its independence in 1991 have been characterized by the country's efforts to gain membership in international organizations such as NATO and the European Union and to gain international recognition under its previous constitutional name, overshadowed by a long-standing, dead-locked dispute with neighboring Greece. Greek objections to the country's name had led to it being admitted to the United Nations and several other international fora only under the provisional designation Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia until its official and erga omnes renaming to North Macedonia, a name under which it is now universally recognised.

## Diplomatic relations

[edit]

North Macedonia became a member state of the United Nations on April 8, 1993, eighteen months after its independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was referred within the UN as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", pending a resolution, to the long-running dispute about the country's name. Unusually, the country's flag was not raised at UN Headquarters when the state joined the UN.[1] It was not until after the country's flag was changed that it was raised at the UN Headquarters.[1] Other international bodies, such as the European Union,[2] European Broadcasting Union,[3] and the International Olympic Committee[4] had adopted the same naming convention. NATO also used that name in official documents but added an explanation on which member countries recognise the constitutional name.[5] A number of countries recognised the country by its former constitutional name – the Republic of Macedonia – rather than the UN reference, notably four of the five permanent UN Security Council members (the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Russia).[6] All UN member states currently recognise North Macedonia as a sovereign state.

### List of countries

[edit]

List of countries which North Macedonia maintains diplomatic relations with:

#  | Country  | Date[7]
1  |  Slovenia | 17 March 1992
2  |  Croatia | 30 March 1992
3  |  Turkey | 26 August 1992
4  |  Belarus | 20 January 1993
5  |  New Zealand | 8 April 1993
6  |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 12 May 1993
7  |  Pakistan | 12 May 1993
8  |  Indonesia | 23 May 1993[8]
9  |  Malaysia | 22 July 1993
10  |  China | 12 October 1993
11  |  North Korea | 2 November 1993
12  |  Angola | 10 November 1993
13  |  Denmark | 16 December 1993
14  |  Germany | 16 December 1993
15  |  Italy | 16 December 1993
16  |  Netherlands | 16 December 1993
17  |  United Kingdom | 16 December 1993
18  |  Norway | 20 December 1993
19  |  Sweden | 20 December 1993
20  |  Bulgaria | 22 December 1993
21  |  Albania | 24 December 1993
22  |  Finland | 27 December 1993
23  |  France | 27 December 1993
24  |  Iceland | 29 December 1993
25  |  Poland | 30 December 1993
26  |  Liechtenstein | 31 December 1993
27  |  Russia | 31 December 1993
28  |  Switzerland | 31 December 1993
29  |  Belgium | 14 February 1994
30  |  Japan | 1 March 1994
31  |  Czech Republic | 2 March 1994
32  |  Slovakia | 4 March 1994
33  |  Kyrgyzstan | 6 June 1994
34  |  Vietnam | 10 June 1994
35  |  Bolivia | 15 June 1994
36  |  Spain | 20 July 1994
37  |  Hungary | 29 August 1994
38  |  Luxembourg | 19 September 1994
39  |  Egypt | 14 November 1994
40  |  Portugal | 15 November 1994
41  |  Ireland | 13 December 1994
—  |  Holy See | 21 December 1994
42  |  Austria | 23 December 1994
43  |  Uzbekistan | 31 December 1994
44  |  Romania | 11 January 1995
45  |  Saudi Arabia | 11 January 1995
46  |  Moldova | 27 January 1995
47  |  India | 9 February 1995
48  |  Antigua and Barbuda | 21 February 1995
50  |  Estonia | 10 March 1995
49  |  Iran | 10 March 1995
51  |  Libya | 14 April 1995
52  |  Ukraine | 20 April 1995
53  |  Singapore | 8 May 1995
54  |  Kazakhstan | 1 June 1995
55  |  Mongolia | 27 June 1995
56  |  Azerbaijan | 28 June 1995
57  |  Lithuania | 17 July 1995
58  |  United States | 13 September 1995
59  |  Greece | 13 October 1995
60  |  Australia | 20 October 1995
61  |  Israel | 7 December 1995
62  |  Oman | 28 December 1995
63  |  Tajikistan | 4 January 1996
64  |  Belize | 25 January 1996
65  |  Ghana | 7 February 1996
66  |  Latvia | 13 February 1996
67  |  Bangladesh | 14 February 1996
68  |  Laos | 6 March 1996
69  |  Nicaragua | 28 March 1996
70  |  Serbia | 8 April 1996
71  |  Rwanda | 18 April 1996
72  |  Honduras | 25 April 1996
73  |  Sudan | 26 April 1996
74  |  United Arab Emirates | 27 May 1996
75  |  Turkmenistan | 21 June 1996
76  |  Qatar | 26 June 1996
77  |  Canada | 4 July 1996
—  |  Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 12 July 1996[9]
78  |  Afghanistan | 17 July 1996
79  |  Bahrain | 11 September 1996
80  |  Costa Rica | 15 October 1996
81  |  Dominica | 18 October 1996
82  |  El Salvador | 28 October 1996
83  |  Cambodia | 29 October 1996
84  |  Tanzania | 22 January 1997
85  |  Mozambique | 28 February 1997
86  |  Djibouti | 12 June 1997
87  |  Kuwait | 16 June 1997
88  |  Guinea | 28 November 1997
89  |  Nepal | 7 January 1998
90  |  Zambia | 30 March 1998
91  |  Sri Lanka | 10 April 1998
92  |  Togo | 14 April 1998
93  |  Sierra Leone | 17 July 1998
94  |  Lesotho | 3 September 1998
95  |  Gambia | 29 September 1998
96  |  Yemen | 6 October 1998
97  |  Brazil | 14 September 1998
98  |  Argentina | 24 September 1999
99  |  Democratic Republic of the Congo | 27 September 1999
100  |  Malawi | 27 September 1999
101  |  Chad | 13 October 1999
102  |  Burundi | 7 February 2000
103  |  Cuba | 5 May 2000
104  |  Colombia | 22 June 2000
105  |  Ecuador | 22 June 2000
106  |  Comoros | 29 June 2000
107  |  Guinea-Bissau | 29 June 2000
108  |  São Tomé and Príncipe | 11 July 2000
109  |  Ethiopia | 17 July 2000
110  |  Uganda | 26 July 2000
111  |  Saint Lucia | 24 August 2000
112  |  Eritrea | 13 September 2000
113  |  Ivory Coast | 14 September 2000
114  |  Jordan | 15 September 2000
115  |  Dominican Republic | 18 September 2000
116  |  Gabon | 13 November 2000
117  |  Maldives | 13 November 2000
118  |  Niger | 15 November 2000
119  |  Seychelles | 7 February 2001
120  |  Mauritius | 7 February 2001
121  |  Republic of the Congo | 7 February 2001
122  |  Cameroon | 6 April 2001
123  |  Haiti | 11 April 2001
124  |  Mexico | 4 October 2001
125  |  Guatemala | 16 November 2001
126  |  Vanuatu | 16 November 2001
127  |  Algeria | 21 March 2002
128  |  Panama | 18 April 2002
129  |  Venezuela | 18 April 2002
130  |  Uruguay | 17 May 2002
131  |  Equatorial Guinea | 9 July 2002
132  |  Morocco | 18 September 2002
133  |  Madagascar | 18 October 2002
134  |  Senegal | 20 October 2002
135  |  Central African Republic | 20 October 2002
136  |  Marshall Islands | 19 March 2003
137  |  East Timor | 25 March 2003
138  |  Jamaica | 1 April 2003
139  |  Nigeria | 24 April 2003
140  |  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 15 May 2003
141  |  Myanmar | 9 July 2003
142  |  Guyana | 22 September 2003
143  |  Benin | 26 September 2004
144  |  Burkina Faso | 27 November 2004
145  |  Federated States of Micronesia | 30 November 2004
146  |  Nauru | 2 December 2004
147  |  Cape Verde | 10 December 2004
148  |  Thailand | 23 January 2005
149  |  Somalia | 17 February 2005
150  |  Mauritania | 23 March 2005
151  |  Iraq | 10 June 2005
152  |  Peru | 29 June 2005
153  |  Samoa | 18 August 2005
154  |  Kenya | 1 February 2006
155  |  Montenegro | 14 June 2006[10]
156  |  Suriname | 12 April 2007
157  |  Eswatini | 6 July 2007
158  |  Brunei | 1 August 2007
159  |  Paraguay | 26 October 2007
160  |  Chile | 15 September 2008
161  |  Andorra | 31 July 2009
—  |  Kosovo | 17 October 2009
162  |  Fiji | 15 March 2010
163  |  Botswana | 4 September 2010
164  |  Syria | 23 September 2010
165  |  Zimbabwe | 13 January 2011
166  |  Tuvalu | 29 June 2011[11]
167  |  Namibia | 21 December 2011[11]
168  |  Malta | 25 January 2017[12]
169  |  Georgia | 16 February 2019[11]
170  |  South Korea | 18 July 2019[11]
171  |  Cyprus | 30 August 2019[11]
172  |  Saint Kitts and Nevis | 12 September 2019[13]
173  |  Monaco | 26 September 2019[11]
174  |  San Marino | 26 September 2019[14]
175  |  Armenia | 27 September 2019[11]
176  |  Tunisia | 27 September 2019[11]
177  |  Philippines | 22 September 2021[11]
178  |  South Africa | 18 September 2023[15]

North Macedonia does not maintain diplomatic relations with the following 13 UN member states:

Africa - 3 UN member states:

* Liberia
* Mali
* South Sudan

Americas - 3 UN member states:

* Barbados
* Grenada
* Trinidad and Tobago

Oceania - 5 UN member states:

* Kiribati
* Palau
* Papua New Guinea
* Solomon Islands
* Tonga

Asia - 2 UN member states:

* Bhutan
* Lebanon

## Bilateral relations

[edit]

### Multilateral

[edit]

Organization  | Formal Relations Began  | Notes

|
|

European Union |  | See Accession of North Macedonia to the European Union
NATO |  | See North Macedonia–NATO relations

North Macedonia joined in NATO on 27 March 2020.

### Africa

[edit]

Country  | Formal Relations Began  | Notes

|
|

Egypt | 14 November 1994 |

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Cairo.[16]

South Africa | 18 September 2023 |

South Africa is represented in North Macedonia by its embassy in Athens, Greece.[17]

### Americas

[edit]

Country  | Formal Relations Began  | Notes

|
|

Argentina | 24 September 1999 |

* Argentina is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[18]
* North Macedonia is accredited to Argentina from its embassy in Madrid, Spain.[19]

Brazil | 14 September 1998 |

* Brazil is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[20]
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Brasília.[21]

Canada | 4 July 1996 |

* Canada is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[22]
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Ottawa.[23]
* Canada has an honorary consulate in Skopje.

Mexico | 4 October 2001 |

* Mexico is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[24]
* North Macedonia is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[25]
* Mexico has an honorary consulate in Skopje.

United States | 13 September 1995 | See North Macedonia–United States relations Then US President George W. Bush with the political leaders of North Macedonia in 2008

The United States and North Macedonia enjoy excellent bilateral relations.[26] The United States formally recognized North Macedonia on February 8, 1994, and the two countries established full diplomatic relations on September 13, 1995. The U.S. Liaison Office was upgraded to an embassy in February 1996, and the first U.S. Ambassador to Skopje arrived in July 1996. The development of political relations between the United States and North Macedonia has ushered in a whole host of other contacts between the two states. In 2004, the United States recognized the country under its constitutional name of that time – Republic of Macedonia.

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Washington, D.C. and consulates-general in Chicago, Detroit and Ridgefield Park.
* United States has an embassy in Skopje.

### Asia

[edit]

Country  | Formal Relations Began  | Notes

|
|

Azerbaijan | 28 June 1995 | See Azerbaijan–North Macedonia relations

* The government of North Macedonia recognized the independence of Azerbaijan on June 25, 1995.[27]
* Diplomatic relations were established on June 28, 1995.[27]

China | 12 October 1993 |

On October 12, 1993, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) established diplomatic relations with North Macedonia expressly declaring that the Government of the PRC is the sole legal government of China, and Taiwan as an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. The Government of North Macedonia affirmed it would not establish any form of official relations with Taiwan.[28]

* China has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Beijing.

Georgia | 16 February 2019 | See Georgia–North Macedonia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 16, 2019.[29]

India | 1996 | See India–North Macedonia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1996.[30]

* North Macedonia has an embassy in New Delhi.

Indonesia |  |

Indonesia is represented in North Macedonia by its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[31]

* Indonesia has an honorary consulate in Skopje.

Iran | 10 March 1995 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 10, 1995.

* Iran has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia is accredited to Iran from its embassy in Ankara, Turkey.

Israel | 7 December 1995 | See Israel–North Macedonia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 7, 1995.

* Israel has an honorary consulate in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Tel Aviv.

Japan | March 1994 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations in March 1994. North Macedonia opened its first resident embassy in Tokyo in 2013 and the first resident ambassador of North Macedonia to Japan is H.E. Dr. Andrijana Cvetkovik[32]

* Japan has an embassy in Skopje.

Kazakhstan |  |

The two countries hold regular political consultations on subjects of political, economic, cultural, humanitarian issues.[33]

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Nur-Sultan.

North Korea | 11 October 1993 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 11, 1993. They enjoy friendly relations. DPRK is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Sofia.

South Korea | 18 July 2019 |

Due to the concern of Greece on Macedonia naming dispute, The Republic of Korea did not establish formal diplomatic relations with Macedonia until it renamed itself "Republic of North Macedonia". Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 18, 2019.[34] South Korea is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[35]

Qatar |  |

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Doha.[36]
* Qatar has an embassy in Skopje.

Taiwan | 27 January 1999 |

Notwithstanding the above, North Macedonia and the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC) established diplomatic relations on January 27, 1999.[37] This development increased the number of the ROC's diplomatic allies in Europe from one to two (the other being the Holy See). The PRC was opposed to this and in retaliation vetoed the UN resolution renewing the mandate of the UNPREDEP (a peacekeeping force) in North Macedonia. On April 28, 1999, North Macedonia opened an embassy in Taipei, ROC.[38] The Republic of North Macedonia and the PRC normalized their relations on June 18, 2001.[39] On the same day, the ROC severed diplomatic relations with North Macedonia.[38] In the joint communiqué between North Macedonia and People's Republic of China, North Macedonia recognized "emphatically that there is but one China in the world, that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory".[39]

Turkey |  | See North Macedonia–Turkey relations

Due to historical and cultural mutualities and human bonds North Macedonia and Turkey have very close and friendly relations.[40] Shortly after North Macedonia declared its independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, Turkey was among the first countries to recognise North Macedonia's sovereignty.[41] Bilateral relations were established on August 26, 1992.[42] North Macedonia has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate–general in Istanbul, while Turkey has an embassy in Skopje and a consulate-general in Bitola.

* Both countries are full members of NATO.

United Arab Emirates |  |

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi.[36]

Vietnam | 10 June 1994 |

* Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 10, 1994.[43]
* North Macedonia is represented in Vietnam through its embassy in Beijing, China.[44]
* Vietnam is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria.[44]

### Europe

[edit]

Country  | Formal Relations Began  | Notes

|
|

Albania |  | See Albania–North Macedonia relations

Recently (Aug. 2008) they signed a treaty enabling visa-free movement between the countries. Both countries support each other's ethnic minorities in cultural, political and educational aspects. During the ethnic conflict in 2001, the Albanian government did not interfere and supported peaceful resolution. Albania had recognized Skopje under the UN provisional reference of the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia",[45][46] abbreviated as FYROM.[47] Both countries are full members of the NATO and Council of Europe. On 26 November 2019, an earthquake struck Albania. North Macedonia sent €100,000 in financial aid,[48] drones with thermal cameras, rescue teams and mechanical equipment for relief operations.[49][50] Both countries EU Accession negotiations on 24 March 2020.

* Albania has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Tirana.

Austria | 23 December 1994 | See Austria–North Macedonia relations

* Austria has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Vienna.
* Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
* Austria is an EU member and North Macedonia is an EU candidate.

Bosnia and Herzegovina |  | See Bosnia and Herzegovina–North Macedonia relations

* Bosnia has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Sarajevo.

Bulgaria |  | See Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations

Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Rules for governing good neighbourly relations were agreed between Bulgaria and North Macedonia in the Joint Declaration of February 22, 1999 and reaffirmed by a joint memorandum signed on January 22, 2008 in Sofia.[51] The governments of Bulgaria and North Macedonia signed a friendship treaty to bolster the relations between the two Balkan states in August 2017.[52] The treaty was ratified by the parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia on the 15th of and of Bulgaria on 18 January 2018.[53]

* Bulgaria is the first country in the world to recognise Macedonia as an independent state.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* Bulgaria has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Sofia.

Croatia |  | See Croatia–North Macedonia relations

* Croatia has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Zagreb.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Cyprus | 29 August 2019 | See Cyprus–North Macedonia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on August 29, 2019.[54][55][56]
Czech Republic | 2 March 1994 | See Czech Republic–North Macedonia relations

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Prague.
* Czech Republic has a consular agency in Skopje.

Denmark |  | See Denmark–North Macedonia relations

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Copenhagen.
* Denmark has an honorary consulate-general in Skopje.

Estonia | 2 March 1995 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 2, 1995.[57]

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Tallinn.
* Estonia has an honorary consulate in Skopje.

Finland |  |

* Finland is an EU member and North Macedonia is an candidate.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

France |  |

* France has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Paris.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Germany |  | See Germany–North Macedonia relations

* Germany has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Berlin.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Greece |  | See Greece–North Macedonia relations

North Macedonia and Greece have excellent economic and business relations, with Greece being the largest investor in the country. Until the Prespa Agreement (2019), the indeterminate status of North Macedonia's former name arose from a long-running dispute with Greece. The main points of the dispute were:[58]

* The name: see Macedonia naming dispute, and the section Naming issue (resolved, below in this article).
* The flag: the use of Vergina Sun, a Greek state symbol, on the initial national flag used between 1992 and 1995 (resolved, see below)
* Constitutional issues: certain articles of the constitution that were seen as claims on Greek territory (resolved, see below).

The naming issue was "parked" in a compromise agreed at the United Nations in 1993. However, Greece refused to grant diplomatic recognition to the Republic and imposed an economic blockade that lasted until the flag and constitutional issues were resolved in 1995. The naming issue was resolved with the Prespa Agreement, signed in 2018, and entered into force in February 2019.

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* Greece has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Athens.

Iceland |  |

* Iceland is represented in North Macedonia through its embassy in Vienna, Austria.[59]
* North Macedonia is represented in Iceland through its embassy in London, United Kingdom,[60] and an honorary consulate in Reykjavík.[61]
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Kosovo |  | See Kosovo–North Macedonia relations

North Macedonia and Kosovo have very friendly and cordial neighbourly relations[citation needed] which mainly are due to the ethnic Albanian populations that live inside North Macedonia. In October 2008, North Macedonia recognized Kosovo as an independent state with plan to establish diplomatic relations. Kosovo recognized the neighbouring country under its former constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia.[62] Also in October 2008, a bilateral agreement was signed between the two countries after the border between the two was physically marked by a joint committee.[63] Kosovo and North Macedonia have signed a Free Trade Agreement in 2005 to facilitate trade opportunities, investment conditions and improve good-neighbourly relations. North Macedonia's investments are the largest in Kosovo since its independence on February 17, 2008 year.[64]

* Kosovo has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Pristina.

Lithuania | 18 July 1995 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 18, 1995.[65]

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* Lithuania has an honorary consulate in Skopje.

Montenegro | 14 June 2006 | See North Macedonia–Montenegro relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 14, 2006.[66]

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Podgorica.
* Montenegro has an embassy in Skopje.

Netherlands |  |

* the Netherlands has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in The Hague.
* Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and NATO.

Norway | 1993 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1993.[67]

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Oslo.
* Norway has an embassy in Skopje.

Poland |  |

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Warsaw.
* Poland has an embassy in Skopje.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Romania | 11 January 1995 |

Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 11, 1995.[68]

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Bucharest.
* Romania has an embassy in Skopje.

Russia |  | See North Macedonia–Russia relations

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Moscow.
* Russia has an embassy in Skopje.

Serbia |  | See North Macedonia–Serbia relations

North Macedonia and Serbia traditionally have friendly relations. Serbia is a main trading partner and recognized its neighbour under its former constitutional name – Republic of Macedonia. Macedonians in Serbia are a recognized national minority, same as Serbs in North Macedonia. However, the non-recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church by the Serbian Orthodox Church and North Macedonia's recognition of Kosovo as an independent state are disturbing the relations of these two countries.

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Belgrade.
* Serbia has an embassy in Skopje.

Slovenia | 12 February 1992 | See North Macedonia–Slovenia relations

North Macedonia and Slovenia have very close political and economic relations. Once part of SFR Yugoslavia, the two republics declared independence in 1991 (Slovenia in June, North Macedonia in September) and recognised each other's independence on February 12, 1992.[69] Diplomatic relations between both countries were established on March 17, 1992.[42] Slovenia supports North Macedonia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, its Euro-integration and visa liberalisation.[69][70] A significant number of Slovenian investments ended up in North Macedonia. In 2007, about 70 million euros were invested.[71] In January 2009, the Macedonian prime minister Nikola Gruevski announced, that he expects more Slovenian investments in infrastructure and energy projects.[71] Over 70 Slovenian companies are present on the Macedonian market.[69]

* Both countries are full members of NATO.
* Slovenia has an embassy in Skopje.
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Ljubljana.

Spain |  | See North Macedonia–Spain relations

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Madrid.
* Spain has an embassy in Skopje.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Sweden |  |

* Sweden is an EU member and North Macedonia is an candidate.
* Both countries are full members of NATO.

Ukraine |  | See North Macedonia–Ukraine relations

* North Macedonia has an embassy in Kyiv.
* Ukraine has an embassy in Skopje.

United Kingdom | 16 December 1993 | See North Macedonia–United Kingdom relations

North Macedonia established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 16 December 1993.

* North Macedonia maintains an embassy in London.[72]
* The United Kingdom is accredited to North Macedonia through its embassy in Skopje.[73]

Both countries share common membership of the Council of Europe, the International Criminal Court, NATO, OSCE, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement.[74]

### Oceania

[edit]

Country  | Formal Relations Began  | Notes

|
|

Australia | 15 February 1994 |

* Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1994.[75]
* Australia is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Belgrade, Serbia.[76]
* North Macedonia has an embassy in Canberra.[77]
* Australia has an honorary consulate in Skopje.

New Zealand |  |

* North Macedonia is accredited to New Zealand from its embassy in Canberra, Australia.[78]
* New Zealand is accredited to North Macedonia from its embassy in Rome, Italy.[79]

## Issues

[edit]

Main article: Macedonia naming dispute

### Flag issue

[edit]

The former flag of the former Republic of Macedonia (used from 1992 to 1995), bearing the Vergina Sun

North Macedonia's first post-independence flag caused a major controversy when it was unveiled. The use of the Vergina Sun on the flag was seen by Greece as territorial claim to the northern Greek region of Macedonia, where the golden larnax containing the symbol was unearthed in 1977 during excavations in Vergina by Greek archaeologist Manolis Andronikos.

The Vergina Sun, claimed by Greece as an exclusive state symbol, was removed from the flag under an agreement reached between the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece in September 1995. The Republic agreed to meet a number of Greek demands for changes to its national symbols and constitution, while Greece agreed to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic and end its economic blockade.[80]

Under the Prespa Agreement, North Macedonia recognised (among other Ancient Macedonian elements) the Vergina Sun as a Hellenic symbol and agreed to remove the Vergina Sun from public display in all State-owned organisations, products, logos, etc. The implementation of this clause started on August 12, 2019.[81]

> Within six months following the entry into force of this Agreement, the Second Party [i.e. North Macedonia] shall review the status of monuments, public buildings and infrastructures on its territory, and insofar as they refer in any way to ancient Hellenic history and civilization constituting an integral component of the historic or cultural patrimony of the First Party, shall take appropriate corrective action to effectively address the issue and ensure respect for the said patrimony.

> —Article 8, paragraph 2 of the Prespa agreement

> The Second Party [i.e. North Macedonia] shall not use again in any way and in all its forms the symbol formerly displayed on its former national flag [i.e. the Vergina Sun]. Within six months of the entry into force of this Agreement, the Second Party shall proceed to the removal of the symbol displayed on its former national flag from all public sites and public usages on its territory. Archaeological artefacts do not fall within the scope of this provision.

> —Article 8, paragraph 3 of the Prespa agreement

### Constitutional issue

[edit]

North Macedonia's first post-independence constitution, adopted on November 17, 1991 included a number of clauses that Greece interpreted as promoting secessionist sentiment among the Slavophone population of northern Greece, and making irredentist claims on Greek territory. Article 49 of the constitution caused particular concern. It read:

(1) The Republic cares for the status and rights of those persons belonging to the Macedonian people in neighboring countries, as well as Macedonian expatriates, assists their cultural development and promotes links with them. In the exercise of this concern the Republic will not interfere in the sovereign rights of other states or in their internal affairs.
(2) The Republic cares for the cultural, economic and social rights of the citizens of the Republic abroad.[82]

The Greek government interpreted this as a licence for North Macedonia to interfere in Greek internal affairs. Given long-standing Greek sensitivities over the position of the country's minority groups, the government saw this as being the most serious of the three main issues affecting relations between the two countries; the issue of the republic's symbols, by contrast, was seen as being of much less substantive importance, even though it aroused the loudest political controversy. The Greek prime minister at the time, Constantine Mitsotakis, later commented that

What concerned me from the very first moment was not the name of the state. The problem for me was that [we should not allow] the creation of a second minority problem in the area of western [Greek] Macedonia [the first minority being the Turkish-speaking Greeks of western Thrace]. My main aim was to convince the Republic to declare that there is no Slavomacedonian minority in Greece. This was the real key of our difference with Skopje.[83]

The offending articles were removed under the 1995 agreement between the two sides.

## See also

[edit]

* North Macedonia portal
* Politics portal

* List of diplomatic missions in North Macedonia
* List of diplomatic missions of North Macedonia
* List of state visits made by Gjorge Ivanov
* North Macedonian passport
* Foreign relations of Yugoslavia

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[edit]

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* This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.

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