BELGRADE, March 16 (RIA Novosti) - Macedonia has extended the visa-free regime with Russia until March 15, 2014, the Macedonian government said.

Citizens of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan will also enjoy visa-free travel to Macedonia during the same period, as the Balkan country is seeking to boost tourist flows from these countries, the government’s press service announced late on Friday.

The current visa-free regime, which was introduced by Macedonia in March last year, allows the citizens from the four ex-Soviet states to stay in the country without visas for a period of 90 days.

Those who plan to conduct business or study in the country must still acquire respective visas, the press service said.

Macedonia is a member of the United Nations and the Council of Europe. Since December 2005, it has also been a candidate for joining the European Union and has applied for NATO membership.

In the Balkans, Russians also enjoy visa-free travel regimes with Serbia, Montenegro and Croatia.