Macedonian PM Gruevski meets Croatian President Josipovic

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and visiting Croatian President Ivo Josipovic expressed satisfaction Monday with Skopje-Zagreb bilateral relations and cooperation.

Gruevski extended gratitude for Croatia's continuous support of Macedonia's efforts for swift NATO and EU membership.

Croatian experience with the EU accession talks is rather significant for Macedonia, which expects same methodology of membership negotiations and thus great assistance from Croatia, Gruevski said.

Despite Greece's obstructions, Macedonian Government has been working hard on the society's modernization and meeting the EU membership standards, Gruevski said, reaffirming his Cabinet commitment to finding mutually acceptable solution to the name row imposed by Greece within the UN-sponsored process.

Gruevski and Josipovic also expressed satisfaction with the economic cooperation between the two countries, saying that there is a room for further bolstering.

They agreed that Macedonian-Croatian friendship should keep developing, considering their mutual commitment to the region's stability, prosperity and EU, NATO integration. Source; Governement

Macedonia announces an EUR 1,9 million e-registration system

E-registration of companies, e-applications for first employment and documents for deposit and leasing, networking of competent institutions is part of the second stage of the single window system project, which the Central Register of  Macedonia launched on Wednesday.

In the framework of the project, worth EUR 1,9 million, the first system will be put into use in August, whereas complete implementation is expected by the year-end.

"This is an extremely important project, which will enable e-registration of companies from abroad", said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at the presentation.

The project's objective is shortening and simplification of the procedure for registration of legal entities, meeting of European directives and e-registration of commercial companies, implementation of the Law on e-Signature and the concept of e-certificate, along with reduction of the administrative burden of the business community.

"Implementation of such operations confirm the Government's commitment for increase of the Macedonian market's appeal to foreign investors, growth in the range of e-services to the business community, its protection through introduction of so-called 'black list' of entities, increase of transparency of bankruptcy procedures and availability of loans through e-deposit and leasing", stated PM Gruevski. 

Athens receives signs from Skopje

Greece hopes that the process for solving the name issue could go forward in view of the signs it receives from the Macedonia government. This is what Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Drucas stated, cited by Macedonian Dnevnik daily. In Drucas’s words the pressure of the international community is currently directed to Skopje.


“Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski sends some shy signs that he understands he should change his position if he wants European future for his state. We are here at the negotiation table in UN”, Drucas said.

There is hope for name dispute solution, says Macedonian PM

UN Special Representative for the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece, Matthew Nimetz, intensified actions and contacts with the two countries, which raises hopes that the issue might be solved, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said, as cited by Macedonian Vecer daily.
Gruevski’s statement comes as a respond to the thesis of Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere, who believes that the name row will be solved in several weeks.
“We keep regular contact with Greek Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou so as to improve the situation and the relations between the two countries and to create favorable grounds for UN mediator Matthew Nimetz to make a proposal that is acceptable for both parties,” Gruevski remarked.

Gruevski expects proposal in May for surpassing name dispute, acceptable for both parties

PM Nikola Gruevski expects UN mediator Matthew Nimetz in May to give concrete proposal or set of ideas for surpassing the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia.


- We are ready for active participation in all preparations because as far as I know the mediator is listened with two negotiators and exchanges opinions and ideas. I hope that in May he will give proposal which will be acceptable for both parties and mainly for the Republic of Macedonia, the party which is mostly pressured and is in most unfavorable situation with this problem, PM Gruevski said in Krusevo at cornerstone laying ceremony of power transformer station for electrification of “St. Preobrazenie” monastery in Krusevo.


Asked to comment the latest public opinion poll conducted by “Societas Civilis” Institute for Democracy at Ministry of Defence’s request, which showed that over 80% of citizens oppose change of name for NATO membership, Gruevski said that he had no special comment and that the situation is not new because it was repeated several times so far.


- As government we remain fully committed in finding resolution to name dispute, which will unblock EU and NATO membership talks, but in a way, which will be acceptable for all citizens in the Republic of Macedonia and mainly for the Macedonians who are mostly concerned, Gruevski said.


- It means that it is about fundamental issue for the citizens and it is hard to sell something that endangers national and state interests. Because of this as government and as political party we are strongly focusing on finding solution that will not endanger national and state interests and citizens to be able to accept it on a referendum, Gruevski said.


He said that regardless if someone considers the solution acceptable or not, and whether it is good or bad, the citizens will have the final word at the referendum. That’s why in the negotiations and talks we are trying to obtain better proposal which will be acceptable and we are not looking for a solution at any price aimed at causing unnecessary expenses with the possible referendum, Gruevski said.

PM Gruevski Dislikes 'Republic of Northern Macedonia'

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has declared himself against renaming his state “Republic of Northern Macedonia.


Gruevski has expressed his position with respect to the latest solution put forth by Greece to the dispute between Greece and Macedonia about the name of the latter.


“If there is a proposal in favor of “Republic of Northern Macedonia,” if this name is presented to the UN envoy Matthew Nimetz, I am going to hold a referendum on it. If you are asking about my personal opinion, I am going to vote against it,” said Macedonian PM Gruevski in an interview for the Macedonian TV channel Sitel as cited by BTA.


The notorious name dispute between FYROM and Greece has pushed the latter to block Macedonia’s accession to NATO and the EU. Greece is uneasy about its northern neighbor using the name “Republic of Macedonia” because much of Northern Greece is an administrative region called Macedonia after the historic and geographic region where it is located.

Macedonian PM to pay unofficial visit to Athens

Prime Minister of Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski is expected to pay an unofficial visit to Athens in the end of the month, Greek Vima daily reports.
Gruevski will take part in the forum organized by Economist, which will be held in Athens on April 29.
Nikola Gruevski’s speech at the congress will be dedicated to the challenges in Southeast Europe.
The congress will be also attended by Greek Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou, as well as by his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov.
It is expected for Gruevski to meet with Papandreou, at the background of the unconfirmed information that UN mediator Matthew Nimetz plans to introduce new proposals for the name by the end of the month, the newspaper writes further.

Bombastic Skopje project attracts scorn

A bombastic government project to revamp Skopje, Macedonia's bland capital, has caused both ridicule and scorn among citizens of the small Balkan country.

A giant triumphal arch, a newly built multi-dome orthodox church, dozens of statues, and the reconstruction of buildings that had been destroyed by the 1963 earthquake will completely alter the look of Skopje's central square.

The project, known as Skopje 2014, is highly controversial. Plans for a huge statue of Alexander the Great are likely to deepen the dispute with Macedonia's southern neighbour Greece about names and history. Athens opposes Skopje's wish to call the country "Republic of Macedonia" and to portray it as the legitimate heir of Alexander's short-lived giant empire.

Macedonia's Albanian minority is upset as well. The plan does not include any monument dedicated to that ethnic group's history, despite the fact that they represent 25 percent of the population.

Idjet Memeti from DUI, the Albanian junior partner in the governing coalition, has described the project as "a political pamphlet that will deepen the ethnic rift between the two main communities."

Macedonian opposition parties call the concept ugly and say there should be a referendum on it. Meanwhile, the cost of "Skopje 2014" remains unclear. Leaked estimates point to a total amount of around €200 million. The mayor of Skopje claims the project will cost no more than €80 million. Macedonians earn an average €300 a month.

Nikola Naumoski, head of the "Freedom Square" NGO, believes the government is holding back confidential data indicating that total expenditure on the project will be much higher than current estimates. His organisation has already staged massive protests and promises to turn them into a steady campaign.

There is no logic early elections to be held in Macedonia: SDSM leader

According to the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) everything is possible, even early elections to be held in the spring, Alsat-M television informs. According to the leader of the party Branko Crvenkovski, the government of the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski generates an atmosphere of uncertainty and lack of vision on which path Macedonia should take as a country.
“We see lots of populist projects over which some analyzers assess early elections are prepared. However, I am convinced we all make mistakes-analyzers, intellectuals, media and the opposition because our logic is different from Gruevski’s. We cannot suppose what Gruevski is preparing. Macedonia has become a country in which everything is possible and impossible at the same time. There is no logic early elections to be held but they could be. Macedonia becomes a country of the uncertainty, without clear path,” Crvenkovski said further.

Greece's Papandreou accepts meeting with Macedonia's Gruevski

Prime Minister George Papandreou accepted an invitation to meet with Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski, Greek government spokesperson George Petalotis announced Thursday (February 4th). The date will be determined via diplomatic channels and require significant preparation. Gruevski phoned Papandreou on Wednesday to follow up on a written invitation sent the day before. Papandreou said he would meet Gruevski in Macedonia or any mutually acceptable location. Macedonia and Greece has been locked in a longstanding name dispute that has slowed Macedonia's EU bid.

Gruevski - Macedonia deserves Europe's solidarity

Macedonia demands the same rights as the countries that have been joining the European Union previously, prime minister Nikola Gruevski said today at the European People's Parties' Congress.

During his address at the second day of the Congress taking place in Warsaw, he asked for support of Macedonia's integration in EU, Alsat-M TV Station reported.

"The positive opinion and the wish of the Macedonian people for inclusion in EU are not sufficient. We have to show to our people that Europe is worthwhile for us to be a part of it," Gruevski said.

Macedonian prime minister said that denying Macedonia an invitation for membership in NATO, despite Alliance's commendations about the country's achievements, delivered a severe blow to the solidarity.

"We are still hoping we will become a member, because we believe in the principles of freedom. Our vision is mutual respect and inclusion of all citizens, communication among the European countries and regions, regardless of how different they are - Europe for all. We ask for no more, just solidarity," Gruevski said.

After the end of the Congress tonight, PM Gruevski is scheduled to meet with his Czech counterpart Jan Fischer in Prague.

Police use force against protesting farmers: opposition in Macedonia

Opposition Social Democratic Union of Macedonia /SDSM/ has accused the police of dispersing protesting farmers with force, Focus News Agency’s correspondent in Skopje reported.
“Five milk producers from Bitola have been admitted to a hospital. We have information that eight vans of police officers dispersed the farmers near the village of Miladinovce, Skopje. Let’s go to the hospital in Bitola now. If we find a hospitalized farmer, you will resign,” MP from SDSM Vesna Bendevska addressed Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.
For his part the Macedonian Prime Minister refuted the claims that the police used force against the farmers.

Macedonia PM ‘Nationalist, Provocative’ - Greece

The politics of Macedonia’s conservative Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski are sparking nationalism and provoking Greece, undermining efforts to resolve the two countries’ name dispute, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said on Monday.

Speaking at the think-tank Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, Bakoyannis criticized Skopje’s recent move to rename its main highway to ‘Alexander of Macedon’, after the ancient conqueror whose origin and heritage is claimed by both countries.

This move indicates that Gruevski “does not believe in the [United Nations sponsored] negotiations underway” on this issue, Bakoyiannis stressed and accused Gruevski of resorting to “short-sighted populism” in order to consolidate his political position.

“There must be a mutually acceptable solution that reflects the geographic reality without winners and losers,” she said. Bakoyiannis expressed concerns about Skopje’s attempts to “monopolise” use of the name “Macedonia’.

In April, Athens blocked Skopje’s NATO invitation arguing that Macedonia must change its name. Athens says that Skopje’s use of that name implies territorial claims over its own northern province also called Macedonia.

Since then, the UN sponsored talks on this issue have intensified but without a breakthrough.A new round of talks is set for February but few expect more than diplomatic pleasantries, as both sides battle it out at the International Court of Justice in Hague.

In November Macedonia sued Greece in the ICJ arguing that Athens broke its pledge in the UN sponsored Interim Accord not to block the country from entering international organizations under its provisional UN mane, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM.

Bakoyiannis stated that her country will endorse every effort for ensuring that the citizens of Skopje, as Athens usually refers to Macedonia, have better communication with the EU, something Macedonian media interpreted as a signal Athens will not obstruct the current visa liberalisation process.

Macedonian PM calls leader’s meeting over upcoming elections

Skopje. Macedonian Prime Minister and leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party, Nikola Gruevski, invited the chairpersons of the leading political parties in Macedonia to a meeting dedicated to the upcoming president and local elections, Makfax reports.
“The upcoming elections, as well as the development of the elections legislation and democratic practices during elections are highly important to the country and its European perspective”, states the invitation sent to the chairs of theo ther three leading political parties – Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, Democratic Union for Integration, Democratic Party of Albanians.
Leader’s meeting is scheduled for January 9.

Skopje, Athens to hold fresh round of talks

UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will conduct a fresh round of talks with representatives of Macedonia and Greece about the name issue.

In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.

On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.

President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.

"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.

He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.

"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.

Nikola Gruevski: We showed that Macedonia can survive

All Macedonia’s governments over the last 17 years, including the present one, have done everything to build a hard, independent and free country, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said after his visit to the Millenary Cross at the Vodno Mountain in Skopje from where he had greeted Macedonian citizens on occasion of the Independence Day, FOCUS News Agency correspondent in Skopje informed.
“17 years ago Macedonian citizens voted for independence without any hesitation. They voted for the formation of a country, which will survive and develop. We have shown as a country and nation that we can survive as we had passed through hard moments,” he added.

Gruevski stirs things up

Just days after United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz said he wants to step up name talks between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), the neighboring country’s prime minister, Nikola Gruevski, has sparked a new war of words.

Nimetz heralded a new round of more intense name talks during a visit to Thessaloniki on Friday. However, Gruevski’s comments yesterday seem to indicate that a solution to the name talks is as far away as ever.

“Greece has deep and serious problems,” he said. “You know that a serious scandal breaks out almost every two weeks. They need to focus on the name issue because the government is faced with early elections due to the scandals.

“They are structuring their policy in such a way that they can avoid finding a solution because… they believe it will damage them in the next elections.”

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis issued a terse response. “The intransigent and provocative comments by Mr Gruevski go beyond all reason,” she said. “It confirms the untenable position in which he has chosen to put himself.”

Gruevski went on to indicate that he had made it clear to Nimetz that FYROM is not willing to give up its constitutional name of “Republic of Macedonia” and is only willing to negotiate on a dual name that would be used only by Greece. Athens has already said it is opposed to this idea.

“I told Mr Nimetz that it would be best for him to think again and to press the other side over something that would be a compromise: a dual name,” said Gruevski. “One of the ideas Mr Nimetz expressed was the use of one name internationally. For us, this is not acceptable and that is where we left it.”

Greece vetoed FYROM’s bid to join NATO earlier this year and Bakoyannis pointed out that Gruevski’s stance was not helping his country’s cause. “He will be personally responsible for any complications in the negotiations and any consequences this has on the European and Euro-Atlantic course of his country.”

Double formula about the name is the only compromise fоr Macedonia

The double formula for the name has been the only compromise, which Macedonia can do in the name dispute with Greece, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said, Macedonian media reports. He said that this was the government’s position, which had been expressed before the international negotiator in the name dispute Mathew Nimitz at the meeting in Skopje on Thursday.
“We hadn’t reached an agreement and I had told Nimitz that it would be bet7ter for him to consider it one more time and to find a way to convinced the other site to point to thing, which contains a compromise and that is the double formula,” Gruevski said before journalists on Saturday, Makfax reports.

Macedonia rejects Nimitz’ latest proposal

The Macedonian PM Nikola Greuevski said that the latest proposal of the UN mediator in the naming dispute was unacceptable for Macedonia, B92 reports.
‘One of the ideas was to have a single name for international use. This is unacceptable for us. We agreed on certain issues, but this is something that we cannot accept and we said that there is no point of continuing the talks’, the PM said yesterday.

Gruevski’s letters

“Macedonian President Nikola Gruevski had sent letters to several international institutes but he hasn’t expect any answers. He had already known them or he had heard them many times. They were not so good, Georgi Spasov, former secretary of Macedonian Social Democratic Union and former ambassador of Macedonia in London had written in an article, published in Macedonian Dnevnik newspaper.
“These letter looks like the activity of the communists from Nikšić. When the forces of the Warsaw Pact, had occupied Czechoslovakia one organization of the Communists Union from Nikšić, Montenegro had organized a meeting of the management. There head been two points in the agenda: considering of the situation after the occupation of the Warsaw Pact forces in Czechoslovakia and the second one was about many different things. After the debate it had been decided that the Warsaw Pact forces would withdraw.