Foreign policy of the Republic of Macedonia (1991-2019): A study from the perspective of liberal institutionalism

The Republic of Macedonia declared its independence on September 8, 1991 and took its place as a new actor in the international system during the dissolution of Yugoslavia. The constitution adopted on 17 November 1991 caused ethnic tensions and conflicts, and at the end of this process, the Ohrid Framework Agreement was signed on 13 July 2001. Although the constitutional changes and social, cultural, administrative and other reforms in the areas following the Ohrid Treaty attempted to end national conflicts, tensions continued. Foreign policy, influenced by these internal problems, has been shaped by the goals of strengthening the state's sovereignty, strengthening its international recognition and ensuring regional security since its founding years. The civil conflict in 2001 led to security-based approaches becoming more prominent in foreign policy as well as domestic policy. Within the framework of this foreign policy, which is also in line with Liberal Institutionalism, a theory that emphasizes cooperation between states and the importance of international order, Macedonia has given priority to the process of integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions in particular and has taken various steps to strengthen its relations with multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union and NATO. However, the long-term dispute with Greece regarding the country's name has constituted a significant obstacle in the field of foreign policy and has directly affected Macedonia's position in international platforms.