The beginnings of the Department for Public Relations and Strategic Affairs date back to 2003, formed as the Public Relations Division, and later on 05.12.2006 it was expanded into a larger organizational unit called the Sector for Public Relations and Information of Public Character. Since 15.10.2015 it has functioned as the current organizational unit named the Department for Public Relations and Strategic Affairs within the Cabinet of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Department for Public Relations and Strategic Affairs coordinates and manages the functioning of the public relations offices within the eight Sectors of Internal Affairs.
The Department for Public Relations and Strategic Affairs is headed by the Minister’s Assistant. Within the Department operates the Sector for Public Relations and Protocol, led by a Sector Chief.
The Sector consists of three divisions led by division chiefs, namely:
- Division for Public Relations
The Division for Public Relations, besides continuous communication with domestic and foreign media, regularly communicates with citizens regarding various issues of their interest through the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (www.moi.gov.mk). Besides regularly distributing various types of information about the activities of the Ministry and its Internal Affairs sectors, the division is almost a permanent participant in various projects, campaigns, and other activities of public interest within the scope of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
- Division for Information of Public Character
The Division for Information of Public Character, according to the legal provisions of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Character and other regulations at the Ministry level regarding this matter, maintains constant regular communication with all organizational units within the ministry to timely respond to all requests for information of public character.
- Division for Protocol Events and Activities
The Division for Protocol Events and Activities at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for providing full support to the activities of the minister, deputy minister, state secretary, and director of the Bureau for pubic security as well as accompanying the minister during protocol, work, and official meetings with international and domestic institutions. It organizes various events, forums, conferences, and public relations activities—briefing and informing persons or institutions with whom meetings are to be held, preparing presentations, work agendas, speeches, organizing work trips for the minister outside the Ministry’s premises, receiving high representatives and officials from abroad, their accommodation, and organizing tours. It is also responsible for organizing international forums and conferences under the patronage of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as conferences organized in coordination with other ministries and foreign embassies in the Republic of Macedonia. This includes preparing and sending official invitations to international visitors, selecting event locations, preparing event programs, ensuring conditions and coordination for smooth running of the event, and preemptive security measures for the quick resolution of unpleasant and unwanted situations.