Republic of Macedonia–Serbia relations

Republic of Macedonia–Serbian relations

Macedonia
Serbia

Republic of Macedonia–Serbia relations are foreign relations between Republic of Macedonia and Serbia.

Post-independence period

Until 1991, both countries were constituent republics within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Following the declarations of independence of Croatia and Slovenia in June 1991, the Republic of Macedonia declared its independence three months later in September 1991. The army of rump Yugoslavia peacefully left the Republic of Macedonia, therefore the Republic of Macedonia was the only former Yugoslav republic that gained independence without conflict or war. However, bilateral relations were not established immediately.

Establishment of bilateral relations

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed in 1992 by the remaining Yugoslav republics Montenegro and Serbia. It established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Macedonia on 8 April 1996.[1] The establishment of bilateral relations was conducted under Macedonia's constitutional name - Republic of Macedonia.[2] Serbia, therefore, is one of 131[3] countries in the world that recognize the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name. The Republic of Macedonia has an embassy in Serbia's capital city Belgrade, and Serbia likewise has an embassy In Macedonia's capital Skopje and an honorary consulate in the city of Bitola.

Break and reestablishment of bilateral relations

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev during a meeting of Balkan leaders held in Durrës

Following the establishment of bilateral relations, both countries maintained friendly relations, but following Macedonia's recognition of Kosovo's independence in October 2008, the ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia was expelled from Serbia.[4] The break in relation lasted a few months. However, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia agreed to reestablish bilateral relations. The new ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia took office in Serbia in May 2009. The new ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to Serbia is the former speaker of parliament and former ambassador to Bulgaria, Ljubisa Georgievski.[5]

Church row

A church row has burdened the relations in the past. The Serbian Orthodox Church does not recognize the Macedonian Orthodox Church , which declared autocephaly from the Serbian church in 1967. On a visit to the Republic of Macedonia in May 2009, the President of Serbia, Boris Tadić, pointed out that his country wishes a settlement to that issue.[6] The Serbian Orthodox Church in the past blocked the visit of the Republic of Macedonia state delegations to the Prohor Pčinjski Monastery in southern Serbia on the Macedonia's Day of the Republic, the place where the foundations of the Republic of Macedonia's statehood were laid during World War II at the first plenary session of ASNOM. In 2009, however, the Serbian Orthodox Church surprisingly allowed a visit by a Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia delegation.[7]

Kosovo dispute

In December 2017, it became known that Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, intended to support Kosovo's ascension to UNESCO. The Serbian government responded that they would no longer recognize Macedonia by the name Republic of Macedonia if they continued such efforts. Serbian foreign minister Ivica Dačić stated that it was an example of hypocrisy from Zoran Zaev's government.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Macedonia Archived 2011-09-30 at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ Republic of Serbia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  3. ↑ Bolivia is 131. country to use Macedonia's constitutional name Ekonom:east Media Group. 20-01-2011
  4. ↑ "Serbia Expels Macedonian, Montenegrin Envoys Over Kosovo". DW.COM. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "My Info Agent". Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "My Info Agent". Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "My Info Agent". Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Serbia could revoke recognition of 'Republic of Macedonia'". B92. Published 14 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
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