Skopje, 14 February 2023 (MIA) – The Government welcomed the adoption of the Law on Ratification of the Agreement between North Macedonia and the European Union on operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in North Macedonia. 

“The Frontex agreement, ratified at Monday’s session of Parliament, was signed on 26 October 2022, and is the first agreement signed with the EU in Macedonian, without any footnotes or asterisks, and is proof of the protection of the Macedonian language and identity, which are elevated to a European level with this document, alongside all the other languages and identities of the EU member states,” said the Government in a press release on Tuesday.

With the signing and ratification of this document, reads the press release, the status of the official use of the Macedonian standard language is elevated to the highest level and it makes us all, the citizens of North Macedonia, exceptionally proud of our culture, language and identity, which are recognized internationally.

“The Macedonian language and identity are safeguarded and embedded in the European legislation. This act is the crowning of the commitments to preserve and promote the Macedonian language on our Euro-integration path,” said the Government.

The ratification of the Frontex Agreement, signed between the EU and North Macedonia, is an expression of our common commitment to defining lasting solutions in dealing with illegal migration and cross-border crime, with respect for human rights and the democratic principles being the fundamental principles governing mutual cooperation.

The implementation of this Agreement will contribute to an efficient management and tackling of the challenges of migration and potential future threats, and also with the tackling of serious crime of a cross-border dimension.

The Agreement establishes all elements necessary for the deployment of border management teams from the permanent corps of the European Border and Coast Guard on the territory of North Macedonia, allowing team members to exercise executive powers.

According to the Agreement, the cooperation is based on the principles of partnership and mutual respect, whereby an operational plan will be agreed between the Agency and North Macedonia for each operational activity.

The Agreement obliges all persons participating in an operational activity to maintain the highest standards of integrity, ethical conduct, professionalism, as well as respect for fundamental rights and to meet obligations imposed upon them by the provisions of the operational plan.

“After 17 years of waiting before the gates of the EU, the Government of North Macedonia is fulfilling the hopes of the citizens for full protection of the Macedonian language, culture and identity. We will continue to promote and nurture our values, as well as maintain peace, security and stability in our country,” said the Government in the press release. ad/nn/