North Macedonia–United Arab Emirates relations

North Macedonia–United Arab Emirates relations
Map indicating locations of North Macedonia and United Arab Emirates

North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of North Macedonia, Abu DhabiRepresented
through the
Emirati Embassy, Rome, Italy

International relations exist between the nations of North Macedonia and the United Arab Emirates. North Macedonia has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates has a non-resident embassy in Rome.

In March 2023, the President of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, met with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.[1] Sheikh Mohamed expressed wishes for a further enhancement of relations between the UAE and North Macedonia. North Macedonia brought a delegation along to the meeting, and the UAE involved its ministers in the meeting.[2][3]

After the meeting in 2023, a memorandum of understanding was announced providing visa exemptions to holders of passports issued by either of the two nation's governments.[4][5][6][7] The MoU was described in the Khaleej Times as 'testament to the strengthening of bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of North Macedonia and aims to facilitate travel between the two nations.'[5]

Later that month, the UAE sent a delegation to Ohrid in North Macedonia, and announced its support of a European Union-sponsored plan to normalise relations between Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo.[8][9] Due to its geography, Balkan security issues are important to North Macedonia. This support from the UAE was re-iterated by the UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, after visiting Belgrade and Pristina.[10]

Other bilateral meetings between the leaders of the two nations include an October 2022 meeting between the Prime Minister of North Macedonia and the UAE's prime minister Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.[11] International flights between the two nations was discussed at that meeting.[12]

Some citizens of the United Arab Emirates have fled the state, and sought asylum in North Macedonia. These applications for asylum have in some cases been rejected. The rejection of Hind Mohammad Albolooki's asylum application in 2019 by North Macedonia made international headlines.[13] Her case was rejected by North Macedonia and she attempted to seek asylum elsewhere.[14]

The United Arab Emirates is a common destination for migrants from North Macedonia; particularly for those seeking work.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Saleh, Amjad; Aamir, Muhammad. "UAE President receives President of North Macedonia". www.zawya.com. WAM. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  2. ^ Saleh, Amjad; Aamir, Muhammad. "UAE President receives President of North Macedonia". www.zawya.com. WAM. Retrieved 2023-07-09. Present at the meeting were H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of the Presidential Court; Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

    The delegation accompanying North Macedonia's President included Fatmir Besimi, Minister of Finance of North Macedonia; Mile Boshnjakovski, Secretary-General of the Office of the President of North Macedonia; Goce Karajanov, Special Foreign Policy Adviser; Blerim Kolalli, Special National Security Adviser; and Abdul Qadir Mimidi, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia to the UAE.
  3. ^ "The Head of State and the President of North Macedonia discuss cooperation relations". Globe Echo. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  4. ^ Saleh, Amjad; Aamir, Muhammad. "UAE President receives President of North Macedonia". www.zawya.com. WAM. Retrieved 2023-07-09. The meeting saw the announcement of a memorandum of understanding providing visa exemptions to holders of passports issued by the governments of the UAE and North Macedonia.
  5. ^ a b "UAE visa: Free entry to North Macedonia announced for certain passport holders". Khaleej Times. Wam. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  6. ^ National, The (2023-03-15). "President Sheikh Mohamed meets the President of North Macedonia". The National. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  7. ^ "UAE and Republic of North Macedonia sign MoU on mutual visa exemption". wam. 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  8. ^ Aamir, Muhammad; Nashar, Khoder. "UAE welcomes Serbia-Kosovo agreement on plan to normalise relations". www.zawya.com. WAM. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  9. ^ "UAE calls for resumption of dialogue, de-escalation between Serbia and Kosovo". Khaleej Times. Wam. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  10. ^ "UAE calls for resumption of dialogue, de-escalation between Serbia and Kosovo". Khaleej Times. Wam. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  11. ^ "Sheikh Mohammed, PM of North Macedonia discuss bilateral ties". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  12. ^ "Macedonia eyes Abu Dhabi flights". 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  13. ^ Britton, Bianca (2019-02-11). "Emirati woman begs for asylum in Macedonia after fleeing family". CNN. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  14. ^ "Dubai Woman Begs for Asylum After Macedonia Rejects Her Case". Time. 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  15. ^ Samardjiev, Aleksandar. "North Macedonia and emigration, an eternal issue". Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (in Italian). Retrieved 2023-07-09. To cope with strict immigration laws, Macedonian are currently going to Malta, Croatia, and Bulgaria – countries with sea, where they work during the tourist season with easier criteria for obtaining a work permit. Other common destinations include the United Arab Emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, and wherever young people can work for a period of time.