Ministry for Inter-Community Relations

For the Ministry

In order to implement the Ohrid Framework Agreement, a document that ended the conflict in 2001, bringing peace and establishing a democratic, multi-ethnic Macedonia with equal citizens, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia created the Sector for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement in 2004. In 2008, this sector was transformed into the Secretariat for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement.

The Secretariat for Implementation of the Framework Agreement of the Government of The Republic of Macedonia was assigned with fully implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement, as well as with providing administrative and technical support to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia responsible for the implementation of the Framework Agreement. The Secretariat for the implementation of the Framework Agreement was initially led by Imer Selmani, a member of the government coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE. After Selmani, the position was taken over by Imer Aliu, also a member of the DPA.

After the early parliamentary elections in 2008, Abdilaqim Ademi was appointed to head the Secretariat, having been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister at the proposal of DUI. He held this position until 2011, when, after the early parliamentary elections, DUI, in coalition with VMRO-DPMNE, appointed Musa Xhaferi as Deputy Prime Minister for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement. Xhaferi held this position for about five years, until April 2016, when DUI replaced some of its officials. Festim Halili succeeded Musa Xhaferi. After the formation of the new government, led by the leader of SDSM, Zoran Zaev, Hazbi Lika was appointed to this position.

In March 2019, the Secretariat for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement was abolished. The Assembly adopted two laws establishing the Ministry of Political System and Inter-Community Relations, which was initially led by Sadula Duraki from DUI. He was succeeded in this position by the fellow member of the party, Artan Grubi, who held the position until 2024.

With the recent amendments to the Law on the Organization of State Administration Bodies, the Ministry of Political System and Inter-Community Relations was transformed into the Ministry for Inter-Community Relations, which has been led by Ivan Stoilković since June 24, 2024. Stoilković also holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia.

The Ministry for Inter-Community Relations includes the following departments:

- The Directorate for the Development and Advancement of Education in the Languages of Community Members, and

- The Directorate for the Promotion and Advancement of the Culture of Community Members in the Republic of North Macedonia

Objectives and competences:

Providing and coordinating support to the Government in the implementation of the strategic priority related to the obligations arising from the Framework Agreement

Securing and implementing the financial resources necessary for the successful implementation of the obligations arising from the Framework Agreement within the Budget of the Republic of North Macedonia and from donors

Ensuring coordination and harmonization of the work of state administration bodies for the implementation of the Framework Agreement

Promoting and protecting the rights of community members as a group of citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia, who traditionally live on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia, and whose members have different ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious, or other characteristics, with the desire to protect and nurture these characteristics

Monitoring the implementation of the right to use the languages and scripts of the communities

Guaranteeing the protection of the ethnic, cultural, and linguistic identity of the communities

Other issues related to inter-community relations

International cooperation on issues related to inter-community relations

Promoting and taking measures to enhance the use of the language spoken by at least 20% of the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia

Monitoring the situation regarding inter-community relations in the Republic of North Macedonia at the national level, by regions, and in local government units, and preparing reports and recommendations for the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, as well as for the Committee for Inter-Community Relations

Providing expert opinions on materials related to the implementation and promotion of the use of the language spoken by at least 20% of the citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia

Supporting the Government in ensuring fair and adequate representation of citizens belonging to all communities in state administration bodies

Providing support in preparing the methodology of adoption of action plans of the Government in the area of fair representation in employment and performing other tasks laid down by law.

MISSION

Creating policies to ensure the unhindered implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, guaranteeing and protecting the rights of ethnic communities, promoting inter-ethnic relations, strengthening multicultural cohesion, as well as fostering multicultural values, raising awareness of the importance and need to respect the diversity of cultural expressions.

VISION

An effectively and fully implemented Ohrid Framework Agreement as a foundation for guaranteeing the stability of the state, where peaceful and harmonious development of society is promoted, with respect for the ethnic identity and interests of all its citizens, committed to building and strengthening multicultural cohesion and promoting multicultural values.