>>News Homepage

31.01.2003

Macedonian Alliance Statement

Macedonian Alliance Condemns New Visa Regime

To : Macedonian Media

CC : President Boris Trajkovski Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva

The Macedonian Alliance condemns the new visa regime for Australian citizens traveling to Macedonia. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia effectively implemented this on the 15th of January 2003. In contrast to this there is no official representation in Australia where Australian citizens and Macedonian compatriots can apply for travel visas to Macedonia.

The Macedonian Alliance is urging the Government of Macedonia to withdraw this regulation until such a structure is implemented where visa's can be attained from Australia. The Macedonian Alliance is apprehensive that the new visa rules will have a negative impact on Macedonian tourism, its economy and direct foreign investment from abroad.

The Macedonian Alliance is alarmed, as we continue with our struggle to encourage and promulgate Macedonian culture, language and religion. We fear many Australian born "Macedonian's" will avoid traveling too Macedonia due to the difficulties of attaining a visa to the country of their heritage, Macedonia.

I urge the Government of Macedonia to reassess this new regulation for Australian Citizens. The matter is of an utmost concern, as it will have a negative influence on Australian citizens, in particular the thousands of Australians with Macedonian backgrounds and will no doubt detract from Australian travelers visiting Macedonia.

Yours sincerely
Zoran Milenkovski
Chairman
Macedonian Alliance
mail@macedonianalliance.com