CONSULAR AFFAIRS

• Searching for missing persons abroad
  For the purpose of searching for missing persons abroad, an application in written should be submitted to the Sector for Consular Affairs at the MFA whereby detailed information are presented about the missing person: name and surname, date of birth, most recent place and address of residence abroad, as well as other relevant information that could be useful in locating and searching for the missing person.
  
  
• Information and advice about traveling and staying abroad
  When traveling and staying abroad, nationals of the Republic of Macedonia should find information about the country of stay, be familiar with its laws and customs, and take responsibility for their actions. They should also have understanding about the practical legal limitations in respect of what they could expect from consular officers in terms of assistance and services, especially in cases of double nationality. When traveling or staying abroad, nationals of the Republic of Macedonia are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they stay. Consular officers cannot circumvent local regulations, which in some countries may be very different from standard practice. In case of need for any kind of assistance or service, nationals of the Republic of Macedonia should address the nearest diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Macedonia.
  
  
• Assistance to detained or imprisoned persons abroad
  Information should be submitted in written about the imprisoned person, if such information has not been received from the competent authorities of the country in which the person is imprisoned, with all relevant facts and information about the person.
  
  
• Transfer/extradition/repatriation of persons from abroad
  Deportation/extradition from abroad of nationals of the Republic of Macedonia is conducted as part of the official duties of the competent state authorities. However, in certain cases entities in the country may inform the Sector for Consular Affairs at the MFA and request assistance. For that purpose, a request in written should be submitted together with all relevant information about the person to be transferred to the country.
  

MACEDONIA AND NATO

• What does NATO do?
  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an Alliance of 26 countries from North America and Europe established for pursuing the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty signed on 4 April 1949. According to the Treaty, the fundamental goal of NATO is to protect the freedom and security of the member states by political and military means. NATO plays a major and important role in maintaining peace and crisis management.
  
  
• Does NATO have its own armed forces?
  All member states that participate in the military aspect of the Alliance contribute with military forces and equipment, thus jointly establishing the integrated military structure of the Alliance. These forces and means remain under national command and control until a need arises for their concrete use by NATO (for example, a conflict or crisis, peacekeeping missions etc.). NATO does, however, have certain general competences in terms of ownership and control of the Alliance, such as AWACS – an early warning aircraft system.
  
  
• What are the conditions for joining NATO? Which countries are prepared for NATO membership?
  NATO has a policy of open doors regarding its enlargement. Any European State in a position to further the principles of the Washington Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area may accede to the Alliance upon invitation by the North Atlantic Council. NATO aspiring countries are expected to attain certain political, economic and military standards in order to ensure they will become contributors to the security of the Alliance as well its facilitators. The NATO Membership Action Plan is designed to assist aspiring countries in their preparations, offering a frame that enables NATO to channel assistance and practical support to aspiring countries in all aspects on their way to NATO membership.
  
  
• What is the position of NATO on Iraq?
  The campaign in Iraq in 2003 was conducted by a coalition of forces from various countries. Some were, and some were not NATO members. As an organization, NATO did not play a role in the campaign, but undertook measures in accordance with Article IV of the North Atlantic Treaty to ensure the security of one its member states, Turkey, as a result of potential threats arising from the war in Iraq. On 21 May 2003 NATO agreed to support Poland, NATO member state, in leading the stabilization forces sector in Iraq. In August 2004, in response to the requests from the Iraqi Interim Government, NATO established a Training Mission in Iraq. NATO is participates in the training and technical support, but it is not involved militarily. The goal of this mission is to assist the Iraqi Government in building a capacity for responding to the security needs of the Iraqi people.
  
  
• What is the role of NATO in the fight against terrorism?
  On 12 September 2001, less than 24 hours after the terrorist attack on the USA, NATO announced that the attack on the United States was an attack on all 19 NATO member states, in accordance with Article V of the North Atlantic Treaty. The main decision was followed by practical measures aimed at assisting the USA in various areas, in the context of its campaign against terrorism.
  
  
• Is NATO involved in Afghanistan?
  Yes, it is. Through the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Mission, NATO assists in creating conditions in Afghanistan for establishing democratic government and self-sustainable peace and security. NATO assumed control and coordination over ISAF in August 2003. This is the first mission conducted outside the Euro-Atlantic area in the history of NATO. Initially, the mission of the Alliance was to enforce security in and around Kabul, whereas now it is in process of expanding its mandate to the other parts of the country.
  
  
• What is the status of Russia – is it a partner country?
  Yes, it is. In 1997, NATO and Russia made a reciprocal commitment to work together to build a stable, secure and undivided continent on the basis of partnership and common interest. In May 2002, this commitment was strengthened with the establishment of the NATO-Russia Council, which brings together the 26 NATO members and the Russian Federation. The purpose of this council is to identify and pursue opportunities for joint action with the 27 participants as equal partners.
  
  
• What are the official languages in NATO?
  The two official languages are the English language and the French language.
  
  
• How much does NATO cost and who finances it?
  NATO is an intergovernmental organization in which member states allocate resources required for the functioning of the Alliance on basis of daily assessments. NATO has three budgets: one civilian and two military. Each NATO member state pays a certain sum into the budgets in accordance with previously agreed formula. These budgets altogether represent less than half percent of the total budget assets of the member states.
  

INTERNATIONAL LAW

• What international agreements are legally binding for the Republic of Macedonia?
  Only the international agreements (bilateral or multilateral) that, in compliance with the legal procedure, have been ratified by the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia are legally binding for the Republic of Macedonia. There are other forms of agreement which are not subject to ratification. Information about such forms can be obtained from the Directorate for International Law at the MFA.
  
  
• How and where can information be obtained on the international agreements to which the Republic of Macedonia is a contractual party?
  Information on the international agreements to which the Republic of Macedonia is a contractual party can be obtained on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the foreign policy section.
  
  
• Where can the texts of the international agreements be found?
  The texts of the international agreements to which the Republic of Macedonia is a contractual party are published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia.