Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani today at a press conference presented the M-CARD project, intended for persons who originate from the Republic of North Macedonia as a symbolic acknowledgement for their selfless engagement aimed at promoting the country abroad.
The M-CARD is an acknowledgement and a recognition for eminent persons or individuals from the country who have shown exceptional success with their work and professionalism, and thus truly promoted North Macedonia abroad, Osmani emphasised. “As their motherland, we want to express our gratitude to them, I would say, in a symbolic manner – to pay them back, to compensate their role as promotors of the country, representing us as a country of successful and quality people”, he added.
“During a longer past period, a large number of people have not only left the country, but they have achieved particular exceptional professional and social success where they are. They are successful doctors, scientists, businessmen, culture workers etc. that we want to attract to the country, strengthen their ties and create a potential for their closer involvement in our social flows”, Osmani emphasised.
The idea is for such individuals to be included in a wider network that would be involved deeper in the social flows in the country. The whole process regarding the M-CARD will be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The card will provide certain benefits such as free entrance at cultural events, museums and galleries, it would offer an advantage when applying for projects in the framework of programs for cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with individuals and associations abroad, facilitate regulating the stay in the country and support in the case of new businesses opening etc. The list of benefits is being expanded in cooperation with other Government departments.
The detection of such persons is planned to be started by the diplomatic missions and consular posts of North Macedonia abroad, and the awarding will be realized in a strictly determined procedure conducted within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.