Tetovo, 23 February 2024 (MIA) – SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski said any legal amendments extending the validity of passports bearing the country’s old name would be in vain, since it would have to be agreed with Greece and the European Union. The Government would first need to secure approval from the EU member states and the other signatory of the Prespa Agreement – Greece, and only then discuss legal amendments, Kovachevski told reporters on Friday in response to VMRO-DPMNE’s calls for SDSM to support legal amendments extending the validity of the passports.

The validity of travel documents for international use is regulated by a law which is in line with the law on the ratification of the Agreement with Greece, Kovachevski said.

“However, so far I haven’t heard a statement from a single institution of the European Union nor from a single institution in Greece in which they say they are ready to annul the agreement in terms of the validity of travel documents. What I can say is that all resources in the Interior Ministry and the other institutions in charge of travel documents should be focused on a swifter conclusion of the process. I see that a new shipment of passport booklets has arrived, and that another one is expected to arrive soon. I believe that by increasing the capacities focused on the task, we should close this issue in the interest of the citizens,” said Kovachevski.

Photo: MIA