In a significant milestone, North Macedonia has concluded a five-year transitional phase today, adhering to the terms of the Prespa Agreement. This marks the discontinuation of travel documents that bear the country’s previous designation, “Republic of Macedonia,” for international engagements.
Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, in a briefing to the press last week, assured that North Macedonian citizens stranded abroad with the old travel documents could secure their return via emergency travel documents available at diplomatic and consular offices.
This development follows the Prespa Agreement’s implementation on February 12, 2019, which set a five-year deadline for the phasing out of passports inscribed with the old country name, culminating on this day.
The Ministry of the Interior had previously informed that starting from February 13, only passports and driver’s licenses reflecting the nation’s updated title, “North Macedonia,” would be recognized. Identity cards, however, will continue to be valid post-February 13 and will be accepted within the country’s territory.
The name change to “North Macedonia” on February 12, 2019, was a pivotal outcome of the Prespa Agreement with Greece, aimed at resolving the prolonged naming dispute. This accord obligated North Macedonia to realign its official documents with the new constitutional name, symbolizing a key moment in the nation’s diplomatic evolution.