Skopje, 12 February 2024 (MIA) - The parliamentary groups of VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM and the Democratic Union have proposed legal amendments to overcome the problems related to the use of driving licenses and passports, which expire tonight at midnight in accordance with the Prespa Agreement. The amendments refer to the law on travel documents and the law on road traffic safety, in terms of a provision extending the validity of personal documents.

Parliament Speaker Mitreski said earlier on Monday that MP groups have announced they would submit various motions for law amendments, noting they should coordinate in reaching the fastest and best solution in the people's interest, and one not contrary to international agreements that are binding for the country, the Parliament said in a press release.

The Speaker also urged whips to inform lawmakers that he would schedule, if necessary, an urgent Parliament session over the course of the day.

Also, caretaker Prime Minister Talat Xhaferi said earlier that possible solutions to overcome the problems will be discussed during the day.

"A deadline will be extended where possible, decisions will be implemented in other subject matters," noted Xhaferi.

The validity of citizens' passports and driving licenses bearing the name "Republic of Macedonia" expires on Feb. 13, 2024, at 00:00h in accordance with the Prespa Agreement. Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told a press briefing on Friday that old passport holders stranded abroad after the Feb. 12 deadline will be allowed re-entry with an Emergency Travel Document issued with diplomatic-consular offices.

The Prespa Agreement entered into force on Feb. 12, 2019, and the validity of passports bearing the country's old name expires five years later, i.e. on Feb. 12, 2024.

The Ministry of Interior said in a press release on Sunday that in line with the adopted legal amendments related to the Prespa Agreement, travel documents with the name "Republic of Macedonia" cease to be valid on Feb. 13, 2024, and only travel documents with the name "Republic of North Macedonia" will be valid. Identity cards, however, will remain valid on the territory of North Macedonia after Feb. 13, regardless of whether they say "Republic of Macedonia" or "Republic of North Macedonia".

Photo: MIA archive