As of 16 March 2013, Macedonian nationals will be allowed to enter or transit through the territory of Ukraine without a visa within a period of no more than 90 days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release on Monday.

Upon the adoption of this decision, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara held a press conference Monday, accompanied by Macedonian Ambassador to Ukraine Aleksandar Spasenovski.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has passed a Decree allowing Macedonian nationals visa-free travelling to Ukraine until 15 March 2015.

The adoption of this decision by Ukraine comes as a reply to the unilateral Decision of Macedonia's Government under which Ukrainian nationals will be allowed to conduct a short-term stay in the country from 16 March 2013 until 15 March 2018 without being in the possession of a Macedonian visa, which has been arranged under the Article 8 of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the Conditions of Mutual Travel of Citizens.

These decisions of Macedonia and Ukraine have come as a result of their strong desire to further advance the friendly relations while remaining focused on developing tourism and strengthening the bilateral economic cooperation, the press release reads.