As of 19 December Macedonian citizens will be able to travel across Europe without visas. This decision was brought in Brussels by the Council of Ministers of Interior and Justice of the EU member-countries. The elimination of the visas is valid only for those who possess biometric passports. Annually, Macedonian citizens took out around 200,000 visas and spent over 10 million euros. President Gjorge Ivanov welcomed the decision for the visa liberalization and stressed that it presents a huge step closer to the EU. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski expressed his great satisfaction for this historical decision saying that it is recognition for Macedonia’s progress in the European integration. The Minister of Interior Gordana Jankulovska and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are satisfied by the visa abolition. SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski welcomed the decision for the visa liberalization and expressed hope that the Macedonian citizens will take advantage of it.
More than 100 citizens on Monday spontaneously gathered before the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia to show their satisfaction for the visa liberalization. Nikola Gruevski also appeared spontaneously accompanied by almost the entire government.