The interoperability platform

Interconnection and data exchange between state bodies, institutions and businesses – Interoperability Platform

The interoperability platform enables the electronic exchange of data and documents between institutions/companies in a standardized, secure and unified manner. The exchange of data between two institutions takes place according to defined standards for security, protection, format and structure of the data.

The seamless flow of information through the interoperability platform reduces the time required to transfer information between institutions, facilitating the flow of electronic information needed to provide public services tailored to the needs of citizens and businesses. Such data exchange increases operational efficiency and increases satisfaction with the services offered.

The interoperability platform is based on the National Interoperability Framework which follows the European Interoperability Principles (EIF 2.0). The National Interoperability Framework covers all aspects of interoperability: legal, organizational, semantic and technical:

• Macedonian National Interoperability Framework - [Macedonian]  [English]
• Macedonian Interoperability Module IOP-L (Legal Interoperability) - [Macedonian]  [English]
• Macedonian Interoperability Module IOP-O (Organizational Interoperability) - [Macedonian]  [English]
• Macedonian Interoperability Module IOP-S (Semantic Interoperability) - [Macedonian]  [English]
• Macedonian Interoperability Module IOP-T (Technical Interoperability) - [Macedonian]  [English]
• Macedonian Interoperability Module IOP-T (Technical Interoperability) Annex: MIM Protocol - [Macedonian]  [English]

The following are connected to the interoperability platform:

1. CENTRAL COMMUNICATION CLIENT OF THE INTEROPERABILITY PLATFORM
2. MACEDONIA CIVIL REGISTRY ADMINISTRATION
3. BASIC COURT 1 SKOPJE
4. MACEDONIAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH NETWORK
5. EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
6. HEALTH INSURANCE FUND OF MACEDONIA
7. BASIC COURT 2 SKOPJE
8. CENTRAL REGISTRY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
9. STATE STATISTICAL OFFICE
10. MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS
11. MINISTRY OF SOCIAL POLICY, DEMOGRAPHY AND YOUTH
12. MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND FOREIGN TRADE
13. MINISTRY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
    • NATIONAL PORTAL FOR ELECTRONIC SERVICES
    • NATIONAL POPULATION REGISTER
    • SERVICE DELIVERY PLATFORM
    • COMMUNICATION CLIENT FOR SERVICES
14. STATE ELECTION COMMISSION
15. CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
16. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
17. NEXTSENSE LLC SKOPJE
18. STATE COMMISSION FOR THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION
19. MAKEDONSKI TELECOM AD - SKOPJE
20. PENSION AND DISABILITY INSURANCE FUND OF NORTH MACEDONIA
21. PUBLIC REVENUE ADMINISTRATION
22. PUBLIC PROSECUTORS OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
23. FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
24. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE - AGENCY FOR CONFISCATED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
25. OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
26. FINANCIAL POLICE DIRECTORATE
27. REAL ESTATE CADASTRE AGENCY
28. GENERAL SECRETARIAT
29. NATIONAL BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA
30. MINISTRY OF FINANCE
31. INSPECTION COUNCIL
32. MASTERCARD (EUROTRUST)
33. CLEARING HOUSE INTERBANKING SYSTEMS A.D.
34. MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
35. MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
36. AGENCY FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
37. A1
38. PE WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE SKOPJE
39. CRISIS MANAGEMENT CENTER
40. MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS
41. MINISTRY OF HEALTH
42. RSM IT MACEDONIA SERVICES COMPANY
43. REGULATORY COMMISSION FOR ENERGY AND WATER SERVICES
44. STATE INSPECTORATE OF AGRICULTURE
45. NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
46. MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS
47. MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND LABOR
48. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGEMENT
49. INSTITUTE FOR ACCREDITATION
50. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SPATIAL PLANNING
51. MUNICIPAL AERODROM
52. ENERGY AGENCY
53. FOOD AND VETERINARY AGENCY
54. MAPAS AGENCY FOR SUPERVISION OF CAPITAL-FUNDED PENSION INSURANCE
55. ELECTRONIC REGISTRY SYSTEM
56. MACEDONIAN CREDIT BUREAU
57. PHARMACEUTICAL CHAMBER OF MACEDONIA
58. NODE OF THE MACEDONIAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH NETWORK
59. MACEDONIAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH NETWORK
60. PUBLIC ENTERPRISE FOR STATE ROADS
61. UNIBANK - YOUR BANK
62. Ombudsman of the Republic of North Macedonia
63. MTEL LLC Skopje

Institutions/companies that wish to join the interoperability platform and exchange data through this platform are required to provide their own communication client, which acts as a mediator between their back-end systems and the central servers of the interoperability platform.

Each institution/company that joins the national interoperability platform must provide appropriate hardware and software for the communication client with the following minimum characteristics: The minimum technical prerequisites for a communication client.

To join the interoperability platform, companies should take into account the legal provisions of the Law on Electronic Governance and Electronic Documents and its by-laws.

With the Law on Electronic Governance and Electronic Services, the national interoperability platform - Macedonian Information Highway (MIM) is established as a single environment for the exchange of documents and data electronically (a managed environment for standardized exchange of documents and data between authorities).

Article 9 of the Law also stipulates the obligation to use MIM, whereby: Authorities and other entities are obliged to use MIM, managed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, when exchanging electronic documents and data. The MIM interoperability standards, on the basis of which the national interoperability platform is built, are prescribed by the Minister of Digital Transformation with a separate act.

In the Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services, interoperability is defined as the ability of two or more systems or their components to exchange data and facilitate the shared use of data and knowledge.

Laws, by-laws, strategic documents and other documents of importance for the audit:

Laws:

• Law on Electronic Governance and Electronic Services
• Law on Electronic Documents, Electronic Identification and Trust Services

Bylaws:

• Rulebook on the minimum technical requirements and standards for the provision of electronic services
• Rulebook on data quality standards in individual databases of competent authorities and data sources
• Rulebook on the manner and procedure for entry in the list of legal entities that perform interoperability checks of information systems, the form and content of interoperability certificates, the procedure for issuing interoperability certificates and the procedures for checking the security and interoperability of information systems
• Rulebook on the standards for interoperability of the Macedonian information highway and the standards and rules for security of information systems for processing data in electronic form and the standards and rules for security of information systems used by the bodies for electronic communication
• Rulebook on the manner of using information systems for processing data in electronic form by the authorities through the MIM and the form, content and manner of using, recording, accessing and storing the service register

List of web services contains all web services/data exchange methods that institutions/companies can reuse for their own needs.

General benefits of data exchange through the interoperability platform:

• Basic infrastructure for further digitalization and development of e-services that the state offers to citizens and businesses;
• Electronic, standardized and secure exchange of documents and data between institutions/companies;
• Fast and efficient communication between institutions/companies, which increases efficiency in the implementation of procedures;
• Increased efficiency and effectiveness in the operation of state administration bodies and companies;
• Faster and easier access for companies to the data they request from institutions;
• Increased quality of government electronic services;

Next activities

Increasing the number of institutions and the number of web services/methods for data exchange is a continuous process and the main goal of the Ministry of Digital Transformation. The Ministry of Digital Transformation continuously provides support to institutions/companies for their active participation in data exchange through the interoperability platform, in order to increase its utilization.