Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska Thursday visited administrative departments within Ministry of Interior and was briefed on procedure for replacement of old identity cards with new ones, which deadline expires on Feb. 27, 2012.

Jankuloska met employees in administrative departments and was informed about the increased submissions by citizens aimed at organising on time reaction of competent authorities.

- Despite increased interest of the citizens, the service is completed in reasonable deadline, fast and simple procedure. The number of requests by emigrants from diaspora, who are visiting the country for the holidays, is increased in this period.

Jankuloska said that so far, 1.342.729 biometric passports of which 200.163 are of the so-called second generation were issued. Total of 1.306.038 ID cards and more than 400.000 driving licences were issued.

According to changes and supplements to the Law on Identity Cards, the issued ID cards prior to entering into force of this law, will be valid until expiry date issued in the ID card but longest to five years from the day of entering the law into force.

In accordance with the Law on Travel Documents, the passports issued prior to entering of this law into force, will continue to be valid until expiry date issued in the passport but longest to five years from the day of entering the law into force, i.e. non-biometric passports are valid until February 27, Ministry of Interior informs.