The new approach of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the work with and in respect of the Diaspora implies concentration of the thus far dispersed concept of Diaspora, introducing the definition of the term as a concept that involves the Macedonian National Minority (MNM), and emigrants (former nationals of the Republic of Macedonia), as well as all nationals of the Republic of Macedonia staying and working abroad regardless of the duration of their stay, and ethnic Macedonians that have never had Macedonian nationality. This has created the basic preconditions in order that the MFA could perform its functions, i.e. the strategic and political - analytical dimension of the activities in respect of the Diaspora.

Furthermore, according to the new concept of the Diaspora, in guiding the work of its diplomatic and consular missions, the MFA has started pursuing the multilateral principle or evaluation of the situation by application of international standards contained primarily in the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities, defining thus the positions towards the countries of stay based on these principles, while in respect of the Diaspora there has been a concept of legal counseling developed which facilitates encouragement of capacities and self-sustained positioning of the Diaspora vis-à-vis the resident country.

The following are the more important activities undertaken in the last period:

Immigration Coordination Body (ICB)
The key novelty can be seen in the application to the Government with project proposals, which the Government approved and allocated budget funds under the so called Program 40 (see enclosure IGB –Projects);

Government sponsored scholarships for persons belonging to the Macedonian National Minority
The procedure for the 2005/2006 academic year was conducted in February 2006 and thus these students were in a very unfavorable position. In respect of the 2006/2007 academic year there was a timely provisional procedure implemented in respect of the Government sponsored scholarships for persons belonging to the Macedonian national minority for studies at the Faculties in Macedonia, in excellent coordination and cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science.

The procedure itself envisaged dissemination through the Macedonian diplomatic and consular missions within the MNM communities and other forms of their organizations of the enrolment conditions for studies at the Universities in Macedonia, and the conditions candidates were to fulfill to acquire a scholarship. After the applications had been collected, the MFA and the Ministry of Education and Science made the selection, and informed the applicants and all interested parties. There were two complaints submitted and both were accepted. Hence, these two students were also granted government scholarships.

Considering the good outcome of the provisional procedure and taking into consideration the shortcomings established in the procedure for consideration of the complaints, the two Ministries plan to articulate the experiences in a written procedure proposed for endorsement by the Government, proposing as well to enlarge the number of scholarships for the 2007/2008 academic year.

The Macedonian National Minority
In the addition to the previously stated the MFA is also focused on application of international standards  and following and supporting decisions of relevant international bodies, especially of the European Court for Human rights.

There are also activities for the conclusion of bilateral agreements for national minorities’ protection. After the conclusion of such and Agreement with Serbia, the conclusion of this Agreement with Croatia is prepared.

Non-Governmental Organizations
The Diaspora related issues are also covered through the activities of a number of Macedonian non-governmental organizations. The MFA has undertaken specific measures to afford direct legal and material assistance for their activities on issues involving an international element. The best such examples are the support for the organization of the International Conference of Macedonian Gorani, as well as the support for submitting an application by the Association of Children-Refugees from the Aegean Macedonian with the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg for return of their seized properties in the Hellenic Republic.

Transparency in the work
In the context of the application of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Character the following databases have been prepared a) Address-Book of Macedonian Clubs and Associations Abroad; b) Review of the Number of Macedonians Abroad (estimates and statistical data); c) MARRI Questionnaire (explanation of operative procedures) d) Compilation of regulations (domestic provisions, ratified international treaties, international standards- non-binding international documents and not ratified international treaties).