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 Czech Republic |  North Macedonia |
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Czech Republic–North Macedonia relations refers to the bilateral political relations between theCzech Republic and theRepublic of North Macedonia. North Macedonia has an embassy inPrague, whilst the Czech Republic has a consular agency inSkopje. Both countries are members of theCouncil of Europe, andNATO. Also Czech Republic is anEU member and North Macedonia is anEU candidate.
Bilateral relations are excellent and besides the fact that North Macedonia became an independent country only in 1991, Czech Republic–North Macedonia relations have a long tradition.[1][2]
Before 1991, much of the relations occurred in the context betweenYugoslavia andCzechoslovakia.
Between the twoworld wars, from 1924 to 1938, theCzechoslovak Republic had aconsulate inSkopje, which in that period was (as was the whole of today's North Macedonia) a part of theKingdom of Yugoslavia.
The Czechoslovak consul in Skopje in 1928, Vladimír Znojemský, underlined in his reports the existence of aMacedonian nation in the region of Macedonia, which is "different from what the others are, whose people speak a different language and feel different".[2][3]
In the period between 1918 andWorld War II Czechoslovakia supported the several Macedonian initiatives on recognition of the Macedonian nation.[2] At that time, the Macedonian nation was not recognized by the authorities of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Instead, the Macedonians were regarded as (Southern)Serbs.
In 1968, when theWarsaw Pactinvaded Czechoslovakia, theSocialist Republic of Macedonia (at that time a republic within theSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) supported Czechoslovakia.[2] A lot of manifestations were held there in order to support Czechoslovakia and to protest against what was happening.[2]
The Czech Republic offers continuous support to North Macedonia considering the country's accession to theEuropean Union, which is among the top strategic priorities of North Macedonia.[1]
The cooperation in the field of economy between North Macedonia and the Czech Republic is good and improving. The level of trade exchange between the two countries shows a positive trend.[1] Many companies from the Czech Republic have so far invested in North Macedonia.[1]
Other spheres of good cooperation between the two states are tourism and education.[1]
The Czech Republic is also a country that recognized North Macedonia under its former constitutional nameRepublic of Macedonia,[4][5] before thePrespa Agreement.[6] The Czech Republic therefore was one of 131[7] states in total, which had recognized North Macedonia by its former constitutional name.
During2015 European migrant crisis Czech government supported Macedonian border protection and sent auxiliary Czech Police troops to the country. This was also subsequently stressed by PresidentMiloš Zeman's visit inSkopje in June 2016.
The embassy of the Czech Republic in Macedonia was opened in September 2006 and is located inSkopje.[8] North Macedonia's embassy in the Czech Republic, which was opened in January 2008, is in the capitalPrague.[2][8]
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see also:Foreign relations of Czechoslovakia | ||
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see also:Foreign relations of Yugoslavia | ||
