North Macedonia–Russia relations

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North Macedonia–Russia relations

North Macedonia	Russia

North Macedonia–Russia relations (

Also, some notable intellectuals and scholars from the region of Macedonia studied in the Russian Empire, such as:

During the war, Russian troops arrived on the territory of what is now North Macedonia to support their Serbian allies (see: Macedonian front, Monastir offensive and Battle of the Crna Bend).

After the

Russia recognized North Macedonia as an independent state on August 4, 1992, during president Yeltsin's tenure, about one year after the then Republic of Macedonia's declaration of independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.^[3] The Russian Federation by that move became the first major power in the world to recognize the country. The event was also significant because Russia recognized the country by its then constitutional name Republic of Macedonia that was a subject of a naming dispute.^[3][4][5] The establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two states took place on January 31, 1994.^[3]

Over 40 agreements were signed by North Macedonia and Russia in the first 15 years of their bilateral relations,^[3] among them the important Declaration of Friendship and Cooperation in 1998.^[6]

However, since proclaiming its independence, North Macedonia is pursuing a consistent pro-Western policy. It joined the NATO program

On March 27, 2014, North Macedonia approved the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/262 that condemned Russia's annexation of Crimea.^[11]

The bilateral relations dramatically worsened in the late 2010s, during the process of North Macedonia's accession to NATO. The former Russian ambassador

On April 2, 2018, North Macedonia expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal.^[15][16] On 18 May 2021, North Macedonia declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata, with the official reasoning being a prior investigation into the behavior of said diplomat and violation of the Vienna Convention. Days after, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia declared that that had been done in solidarity with Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.^{[citation needed]} This was criticised by the Russian Foreign Ministry, which declared the act "hostile".^[17] In retaliation, Russia expelled a Macedonian diplomat on 10 June 2021.^[18]

On March 2, 2022, North Macedonia approved the

As of 2022, there are few russophile political parties in North Macedonia, but their influence and their election results are negligible: Edinstvena Makedonija, led by Janko Bačev; Levica, led by Dimitar Apasiev;[11][12] and Rodina.[13]

North Macedonia has provided substantial military assistance to Ukraine since Russia started the war.^[24]

In September 2023 a further three Russian diplomats were expelled, making 14 in total since February 2022.^[25]

Conditional visa-waiver agreement

In 2008, North Macedonia and Russia signed a mutual and conditional visa-waiver agreement^[26] according to which, a visa was not required if the traveller possesses an original tourist voucher or an official letter of invitation, but if these conditions are not met, a visa is still required. Later, North Macedonia unilaterally lifted these special requirements, giving the Russians a real visa-free access to the country.[14] However, this friendly gesture was not met with reciprocity on the Russian side. For the citizens of North Macedonia, the agreement and its special requirements remained in force.^[27] After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine began, North Macedonia ended this visa liberalization for the russian citizens and went back to the 2008 agreement.[15]

Macedonian citizens now need a Russian eVisa to enter Russia^[28] and Russian citizens need a visa to enter North Macedonia.^[29]

Economic relations

The pharmaceutical company from North Macedonia,

Stroitransgaz is owned by Gennady Timchenko, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, who was among the first businessmen to be placed under sanctions by the United States in the Crimea crisis.^[31] A spokesman for Stroitransgaz said the sanctions would not hamper the project in North Macedonia, which is not a member of the European Union.^[31]

The 96.6 km (60.0 mi) Negotino-Klečovce gas pipeline will cross North Macedonia from near the Greek border in the south up to the vicinity of the Serbian border in the north.^[31] Stroitransgaz will build 61 km (38 mi) of the link by June 2016.^[31]

Moscow plans to build an undersea pipeline to Turkey, a replacement for the cancelled South Stream project via Bulgaria.^[31] The details of an onward route from Turkey through Greece have not been finalised.^[31]

Stroitransgaz said it will carry out its work as part of the repayment of the outstanding debt between the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslavia, of which North Macedonia was a member.^[31] The cost of the entire project stands at $75.7 million.^[31]

The project has added to tensions between the

After a meeting between officials from North Macedonia and Russia in March 2016, it was announced that the government of North Macedonia is interested in increasing Russian tourism in the country. The government of North Macedonia is working to create good conditions for Russian tourists and in establishing regular airfare between the two countries.[33]

In 2021 Russia exported goods worth $154m to North Macedonia, primarily gas, with North Macedonia exporting $74m of goods in the same year, mainly medication.^[34]

See also

• Foreign relations of North Macedonia
• Foreign relations of Russia
• Accession of North Macedonia to the European Union

References