Key engagement

Strong community ties and cooperation in international forums. Growing Australian business investment.

Bilateral relations

Australia and the Republic of North Macedonia enjoy close and cooperative diplomatic relations underpinned by strong people-to-people links and shared democratic values. We cooperate in international organisations on matters of mutual interest and international security and have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding on Counter Terrorism. Australian business has increased its presence in North Macedonia, including in the resources sector.

Australia recognised the then-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in February 1994 and established diplomatic relations on 20 October 1995. Australia welcomed the implementation of the Prespa Agreement in February 2019, under which the Republic of North Macedonia agreed with Greece (among other things) to adopt its current name, with the short form being North Macedonia. The nationality of its citizens is ‘Macedonian' or ‘citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia', while the language is known as the ‘Macedonian language'.

Through the Embassy in Belgrade, Australia supports direct aid projects with developmental benefits for local communities. The projects focus on gender equality and women's empowerment, democratic participation, support to vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities and support for an anti-tobacco campaign targeting school students.

Economic and trade information can be found in the Republic of North Macedonia Fact Sheet.

Foreign policy

The Republic of North Macedonia has identified membership of the EU and NATO as foreign policy priorities. It became the 30th member of NATO in March 2020.

Further information is available at Republic of North Macedonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Fast facts

• Visitors to Australia (September 2022): 700
• Australian visitors (September 2022): 6,330
• Resident Australian population claiming Macedonian ancestry (2021 census): 111,352
• Student enrolments in Australia (December 2022): 243

High level engagement

• 2017: Foreign Minister Bishop visited Skopje
• 2012: Assembly President Veljanoski visited Australia
• 2009: Prime Minister Gruevski and Foreign Minister Milososki visited Australia

Australian Embassy in Belgrade

8th floor, Vladimira Popovića 38-40,

11070, New Belgrade

• Email: belgrade.embassy@dfat.gov.au
• Website: Australian Embassy in Serbia
• Facebook: Australia in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro

Australian Consulate in Skopje

Motiva, Londonska 11B

Skopje 1000

+389 2 3061 114