In accordance with the activities and commitments of our NATO membership, the Republic of Macedonia has provided temporary accommodation to 68 Afghans, our allies, who were previously engaged by NATO during the mission in Afghanistan. The group is part of a larger group of Afghans stationed at the Bechtel Facility in Kosovo, from where all Afghans evacuated from Kabul have been temporarily deployed among NATO member states. The persons in the country have been provided with temporary accommodation, until their documentation is provided for reference to the final destinations where their permanent residence has been determined, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed.

With this step, Macedonia as a credible partner of NATO once again demonstrated solidarity in protecting our allies from Afghanistan, who due to the risk to their lives and the safety of their families cannot return to Afghanistan. By providing temporary shelter for this group of Afghans, the total number of Afghan civilians to whom Macedonia has provided temporary residence in the country is just over 800 people, more than half of whom have already left Macedonia, heading to their final destination. During their temporary stay in Macedonia, the Afghans were provided with assistance and support by state institutions and non-governmental organizations, making the country part of a global humanitarian action to help Afghans who have worked hard to advance the democratic process in Afghanistan or have been engaged by international organizations and agencies, reads the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.