Saturday, November 04, 2006
Blic, Serbia: Greece to Block Macedonia’s EU, NATO Membership over Name Dispute
Athens. “Greece will block Macedonia’s EU and NATO membership, unless Skopje makes a compromise on the country’s name”, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said, the Serbian newspaper Blic reported. A mutually accepted solution is the condition for the ratification of Macedonia’s NATO and EU membership by the Greek Parliament. Since 1991 Greece has disputed Macedonia’s right to use its name because it thinks it belongs only to the Greek national and historic heritage. Besides, Greece is afraid of Macedonia’s possible claims to the Greek border district bearing the same name. In 1993 the UN recognized Macedonia as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Continuous talks between Greece and Macedonia held under the auspices of the UN have been unsuccessful by now, the newspaper comments.
Macedonia Expects Date for EU Talks in 2007, and Invitation for NATO in 2008: Foreign Minister
‘Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria achieved a lot at both bilateral and regional level. In their cooperation the two countries have been lead by the goal of achieving the main European and Euro-Atlantic values’, the Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said in his lecture on the topic ‘Macedonia and NATO’, organized by the Atlantic Club, a reporter of FOCUS News Agency informed.
The republic of Macedonia continues to make all the necessary efforts on the way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Milososki added.
The republic of Macedonia continues to make all the necessary efforts on the way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration, Milososki added.
Russia protests to Macedonia as diplomats attacked
Russia sent a protest note to Macedonia on Monday urging the Balkan state to conduct a fast and objective investigation into a violent attack on four Russian diplomats at the weekend, Russian media said.
Macedonian media speculated that the fight had been over a young woman, while the interior ministry said it was doing all it could "to find and apprehend the attackers".
The diplomats were just about to leave a central cafe in Macedonia's capital Skopje late on Saturday when an unknown man approached them and hit one of the Russians, Russian television channels said.
"Soon afterwards, between 10 and 12 people were taking part in the attack on the four diplomats," said Russia's ORT First Channel. "The attackers used glass bottles and brass knuckles."
The diplomats were badly hurt and taken to hospital. They have now left the hospital and are in a satisfactory condition, Russian media reported.
Macedonian police spokesman Borce Pesevski said that at around 1.30 a.m. (0030 GMT) on Sunday "there was an argument between a dozen people at a bar, an argument that continued outside on the pavement".
"Then six to seven still unknown assailants physically attacked four others, all employees in the Russian embassy," he said. "They were beaten up, sustained injuries, and after receiving medical treatment they were released home."
Moscow expects Macedonia to give an official explanation once the incident has been investigated, Interfax news agency quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying.
Bitola's exotic locations to be offered to Hollywood
Video footages of locations in the city of Bitola will be offered to US film producers, Makfax's correspondent reported.
Macedonian director Darko Mitrevski began today shooting of the exotic locations and cultural landmarks in the city and its surrounding.
In addition to Bitola, Mitrevski will also make video recordings of sites in Mariovo, Prespa and Ohrid.
Bitola's local authorities have covered the costs of the shooting, while Macedonian Minister in charge of attracting foreign investments, Gligor Taskovic, is responsible for contacts with US producers.
Macedonian director Darko Mitrevski began today shooting of the exotic locations and cultural landmarks in the city and its surrounding.
In addition to Bitola, Mitrevski will also make video recordings of sites in Mariovo, Prespa and Ohrid.
Bitola's local authorities have covered the costs of the shooting, while Macedonian Minister in charge of attracting foreign investments, Gligor Taskovic, is responsible for contacts with US producers.
SILMAK cut off from power supply system
Ferro-alloy production plant SILMAK from Jegunovce near Tetovo, has been cut off from the electric power network by MEPSO, the public enterprise engaged in power distribution.
MEPSO, which announced SILMAK's disconnection yesterday, explained that the move was prompted by long-overdue bills.
The government claims that recently incurred debts of SILMAK total 700.000 euros in addition to the previous 5 million euros worth of debts.
On the other hand, SILMAK claims its "financial commitments total 26.998.000 denars", and considers MEPSO's move to have been caused by the overall shortage of electricity supply the country is facing.
SILMAK's representatives said that halted operation will result in reduced foreign currency influx amounting 34 million euros on the basis of power production sold in advance, in addition to about 1.000 jobless workers.
MEPSO, which announced SILMAK's disconnection yesterday, explained that the move was prompted by long-overdue bills.
The government claims that recently incurred debts of SILMAK total 700.000 euros in addition to the previous 5 million euros worth of debts.
On the other hand, SILMAK claims its "financial commitments total 26.998.000 denars", and considers MEPSO's move to have been caused by the overall shortage of electricity supply the country is facing.
SILMAK's representatives said that halted operation will result in reduced foreign currency influx amounting 34 million euros on the basis of power production sold in advance, in addition to about 1.000 jobless workers.
Ambassador Solotsinsky says there is no diplomatic scandal
The late Saturday's incident outside Skopje's Trend cafe, where Russian diplomats were beaten up, is neither a diplomatic scandal nor a political case, Makfax correspondent quotes the Russian Ambassador to Macedonia Vladimir Solotsinsky as saying in Ohrid.
Ambassador Solotsinsky, who paid a visit to safety-belts manufacturing plant in Ohrid's nearby village of Belcista, said this was an isolated case which has no impact on Macedonian-Russian relations.
Russian Ambassador added that the Macedonian government is not involved in the incident, nonetheless, the diplomatic rules foresee that in such cases a note of protest be handed in to the Foreign Ministry of the country concerned.
"Our diplomats were attacked by intoxicated hooligans, who exist everywhere, and therefore, the same thing can happen in Paris, London, New York or any other place," Russian Ambassador said.
He added that the fight outside Trend cafe seems to have upset the diplomats in Skopje.
Not only the Russian Embassy but also the entire diplomatic chorus expect the authorities in Macedonia to track down and punish the perpetrators, Ambassador Solotsinsky said, adding that Macedonia will demonstrate that it could fulfill its obligations and guarantee the safety of foreign diplomats in the country.
Referring to blood test results, Ambassador Solotsinsky confirmed that no alcohol was found in blood samples of Russian diplomats. One of Russian diplomats does not consume alcohol because he suffers from hepatitis, and the other one is sportsman, the Ambassador added.
Ambassador Solotsinsky, who paid a visit to safety-belts manufacturing plant in Ohrid's nearby village of Belcista, said this was an isolated case which has no impact on Macedonian-Russian relations.
Russian Ambassador added that the Macedonian government is not involved in the incident, nonetheless, the diplomatic rules foresee that in such cases a note of protest be handed in to the Foreign Ministry of the country concerned.
"Our diplomats were attacked by intoxicated hooligans, who exist everywhere, and therefore, the same thing can happen in Paris, London, New York or any other place," Russian Ambassador said.
He added that the fight outside Trend cafe seems to have upset the diplomats in Skopje.
Not only the Russian Embassy but also the entire diplomatic chorus expect the authorities in Macedonia to track down and punish the perpetrators, Ambassador Solotsinsky said, adding that Macedonia will demonstrate that it could fulfill its obligations and guarantee the safety of foreign diplomats in the country.
Referring to blood test results, Ambassador Solotsinsky confirmed that no alcohol was found in blood samples of Russian diplomats. One of Russian diplomats does not consume alcohol because he suffers from hepatitis, and the other one is sportsman, the Ambassador added.
Mediation law comes into effect
The law on mediation comes into effect on November 1st. Mediation, a form of alternative dispute resolution which means dispute-solving by means other than going to court. The main advantage of mediation is that is saves time and money.
With mediation, both parties agree to appoint a trained mediator who assists them to clarify the issues and reach a compromise solution. It is the mediator's job to establish the common ground between the two parties, looking at each of their needs, and to act as a neutral channel of communication between them.
Most types of dispute are suitable for mediation, from commercial disagreements to workplace disputes and divorce proceedings.
"We expect that mediation facilitates settlement and help the courts with stockpiled paperwork. Mediaton will also help the citizens reach settlement within a reasonable deadline," Deputy Justice Minister Sash Vasilevski said.
He added that mediation law is in the framework of comprehensive judiciary reform, which will assist Macedonia's rapprochement to European legislation.
Practical implementation of the law will start on 15 November.
The first Mediation Center will open at the Chamber of Commerce in the coming days. Meanwhile, the mediators' remuneration tariff will be specified.
A team of 60 mediators have completed the training course thus far. Mediators are tasked to facilitate settlement, not to sway decisions. Initially, mediation will be implemented in the Skopje District Court only, later in other courts in Strumica and Gostivar.
Domestic experts expect the mediation to facilitate a wide range of disputes - family dispute, commercial disagreements, corporate dispute, consumer dispute etc. The outmost objective of mediation is to ensure a low-cost settlement.
Justice Ministry unveiled an educational media campaign to inform the citizens about mediation and the positive effects.
"Implementation of this law will greatly depend on how much we will educate the citizens to make them comprehend that mediation saves time and money," Justice Ministry officials said.
Till opening of Mediation Center, where the clients will meet with mediators, the citizens can obtain information by dialing 3223306.
With mediation, both parties agree to appoint a trained mediator who assists them to clarify the issues and reach a compromise solution. It is the mediator's job to establish the common ground between the two parties, looking at each of their needs, and to act as a neutral channel of communication between them.
Most types of dispute are suitable for mediation, from commercial disagreements to workplace disputes and divorce proceedings.
"We expect that mediation facilitates settlement and help the courts with stockpiled paperwork. Mediaton will also help the citizens reach settlement within a reasonable deadline," Deputy Justice Minister Sash Vasilevski said.
He added that mediation law is in the framework of comprehensive judiciary reform, which will assist Macedonia's rapprochement to European legislation.
Practical implementation of the law will start on 15 November.
The first Mediation Center will open at the Chamber of Commerce in the coming days. Meanwhile, the mediators' remuneration tariff will be specified.
A team of 60 mediators have completed the training course thus far. Mediators are tasked to facilitate settlement, not to sway decisions. Initially, mediation will be implemented in the Skopje District Court only, later in other courts in Strumica and Gostivar.
Domestic experts expect the mediation to facilitate a wide range of disputes - family dispute, commercial disagreements, corporate dispute, consumer dispute etc. The outmost objective of mediation is to ensure a low-cost settlement.
Justice Ministry unveiled an educational media campaign to inform the citizens about mediation and the positive effects.
"Implementation of this law will greatly depend on how much we will educate the citizens to make them comprehend that mediation saves time and money," Justice Ministry officials said.
Till opening of Mediation Center, where the clients will meet with mediators, the citizens can obtain information by dialing 3223306.
MEPSO to cut power supply to Silmak
The Public Enterprise for power distribution MEPSO announced another halting of electricity supply to the ferroalloy production plant Silmak from Jegunovce.
MEPSO's move was prompted by Silmak's failure to hold out to its commitment to gradually repay the debt owned to MEPSO.
MEPSO has already halted power supply to Silmak in early October, due to Silmak's debt incurred by unsettled electricity bills totaling 6 million euros. However, the plant managed to persuade the power distribution company to resume electricity supply after working out a deal for gradual payment.
Part of reasons for Silmak's disconnection from power supply system is the imminent power shortage Macedonia is facing during the winter period.
Some of the Macedonian media reported that electricity supply might be reduced to other big power consumers as well.
MEPSO's move was prompted by Silmak's failure to hold out to its commitment to gradually repay the debt owned to MEPSO.
MEPSO has already halted power supply to Silmak in early October, due to Silmak's debt incurred by unsettled electricity bills totaling 6 million euros. However, the plant managed to persuade the power distribution company to resume electricity supply after working out a deal for gradual payment.
Part of reasons for Silmak's disconnection from power supply system is the imminent power shortage Macedonia is facing during the winter period.
Some of the Macedonian media reported that electricity supply might be reduced to other big power consumers as well.
Executives say ELEM faces tough time
JSC Electric Power Plants Macedonia (ELEM) finds itself in a poor situation in terms of technical equipping and finances, but will put all effortс to fulfill its share of obligations in power production.
Vlatko Cingovski, the general manager of ELEM, said this today at a press conference, at which he presented the new executives and the situation they found company to be in.
The company will request from the Government to allow selling of 30 percent stake of the company in order to overcome the financial problems.
Presenting the company's balance sheet, Cingovski said it indicates a positive balance totaling 9 million euros, at least on paper, since ELEM's debts amount to 128 million euros, compared to 137 million euros owed to the company.
The company's director singled out lack of a clearing house for settling accounts among all companies involved in power related operations on a daily basis, lack of competition and depressed prices, as the main reasons for the week financial situation of the company.
Cingovski accused the previous managerial team for the poor situation of the power production company.
He confirmed press reports that coal stock in REK Bitola is depleted. Moreover, the existing coal supplies are of very poor quality, which might result in damaged turbines.
"The situation in the coal mines is disastrous. It will take months to put them in order", Cingovski warned.
On the other hand, he pointed out that the situation with the hydro electric plants is much better, primarily due to the favorable weather conditions, which resulted in exceeding of the planned production by 153 percent.
Vlatko Cingovski, the general manager of ELEM, said this today at a press conference, at which he presented the new executives and the situation they found company to be in.
The company will request from the Government to allow selling of 30 percent stake of the company in order to overcome the financial problems.
Presenting the company's balance sheet, Cingovski said it indicates a positive balance totaling 9 million euros, at least on paper, since ELEM's debts amount to 128 million euros, compared to 137 million euros owed to the company.
The company's director singled out lack of a clearing house for settling accounts among all companies involved in power related operations on a daily basis, lack of competition and depressed prices, as the main reasons for the week financial situation of the company.
Cingovski accused the previous managerial team for the poor situation of the power production company.
He confirmed press reports that coal stock in REK Bitola is depleted. Moreover, the existing coal supplies are of very poor quality, which might result in damaged turbines.
"The situation in the coal mines is disastrous. It will take months to put them in order", Cingovski warned.
On the other hand, he pointed out that the situation with the hydro electric plants is much better, primarily due to the favorable weather conditions, which resulted in exceeding of the planned production by 153 percent.
Kumanovo's public utility workers go on strike
The employees of the Kumanovo's public enterprise "Cistota i Zelenilo" halted working activities and went to strike today, Makfax's correspondent reported.
"We demand for payment of three overdue salaries, health insurance contributions and food money", the president of the enterprise's syndicate Slagjan Mihajlovski said, adding that the strike will go on as long as their demands are met.
According to Mihajlovski, the syndicate is due to decide today which departments will continue their activities, as prescribed by the law.
The Mayor of Kumanovo announced a meeting in Thursday, among representatives of the Finance Ministry, Cistota i Zelenilo's managerial team and local authorities, aimed at reaching an agreement on modality of settling 40 million denars worth of VAT taxes, owned by the enterprise.
The account of the public enterprise Cistota i Zelenilo has been blocked for 40 days. The company refused to collect garbage in Kumanovo for 20 days, which prompted local authorities to hire a Bitola-based company to do the job.
"We demand for payment of three overdue salaries, health insurance contributions and food money", the president of the enterprise's syndicate Slagjan Mihajlovski said, adding that the strike will go on as long as their demands are met.
According to Mihajlovski, the syndicate is due to decide today which departments will continue their activities, as prescribed by the law.
The Mayor of Kumanovo announced a meeting in Thursday, among representatives of the Finance Ministry, Cistota i Zelenilo's managerial team and local authorities, aimed at reaching an agreement on modality of settling 40 million denars worth of VAT taxes, owned by the enterprise.
The account of the public enterprise Cistota i Zelenilo has been blocked for 40 days. The company refused to collect garbage in Kumanovo for 20 days, which prompted local authorities to hire a Bitola-based company to do the job.
Macedonia awaits spring thaw on EU enlargement
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Macedonia believes French elections in spring 2007 and a pick-up in the European economy will clear the way for starting EU accession talks in 2007 or 2008, foreign minister Antonio Milososki told EUobserver in an exclusive interview on Friday (27 October).
"We think that after the elections in France, renewed energy is going to come to this European debate [on enlargement fatigue], that Europe is going to be more able to overcome these difficulties," the minister said.
"We are happy that the economic situation in Europe is also gradually improving. This is a factor that will positively influence the feelings of [European] people concerning immigrants, concerning newcomers, concerning this sensitivity on enlargement," he added.
The timetable could see: an 8 November EU report praising Macedonian political reform but voicing worry over mounting ethnic tensions; 22 April French presidential elections; the German EU presidency soon after setting a date for EU-Macedonia accession talks to start in 2007 or 2008 and EU entry in 2012 or 2013, Mr Milososki indicated.
"We are asking for a date [for starting accession talks], because being a candidate country without a date is like arranging a wedding without music and so we can not start with the wedding," he explained.
EU enlargement fatigue came to the fore after French voters rejected the draft EU constitution in mid-2005 in a move linked to popular feeling that EU expansion is out of control, with the 2004 wave seeing 10 countries join the bloc and with Romanian and Bulgarian accession looming next year.
"Absorption capacity" - the concept that EU institutions can not function in their present form with any more member states - is also emerging in Brussels as a new enlargement criterion alongside formal "Copenhagen Criteria" on democracy, human rights and market economy standards.
"Macedonia is a country with a population the size of Paris, without counting the [Paris] suburbs. That is not an entity that could disturb any absorption capacity of the EU," the Macedonian foreign minister said on his 2.1 million-strong country. "We are happy to be small."
Balkan frontrunner
All the Western Balkan states are officially heading for EU entry with Croatia (which began accession talks in October 2005) and Macedonia (which gained EU candidate status in December 2005), ahead of Bosnia, Albania and Montenegro and with Serbia and Kosovo tied up in war crimes and sovereignty disputes.
On paper, the EU says that "every country will be measured according to its merits" when it comes to accession, but some EU diplomats say the bloc is tightening membership criteria and is treating Balkan hopefuls as a "group of future members" that will stay "on hold" for several years.
Macedonia's internal political conflict - with ethnic-Albanian opposition party DUI and the ruling Macedonian conservative party VMRO-DPMNE at each other's throats since 5 July elections - is "accidentally serving well" Brussels' reluctance to press ahead with Balkan enlargement, one EU diplomat stated.
Stability at risk
"We are watching very closely the relations between the government and the Albanian opposition, because it's very important for the stability of the country," the contact told EUobserver.
The DUI has vowed to topple the government on grounds it can't be trusted to implement the 2001 so-called "Ohrid Agreement" on protecting the country's 500,000-strong ethnic Albanian minority, with corruption issues and a 35 percent unemployment rate also damaging Skopje's EU readiness credibility.
Recent "direct contact" between DUI leader Ali Ahmeti and VMRO-DPMNE prime minister Nikola Gruevski is "the best possible sign" of softening interethnic relations, foreign minister Milososki argued, adding that Skopje and Brussels have successfully built a "multiethnic functional democracy" in Macedonia in the past 13 years.
"We are proud of that," the foreign minister said.
"We think that after the elections in France, renewed energy is going to come to this European debate [on enlargement fatigue], that Europe is going to be more able to overcome these difficulties," the minister said.
"We are happy that the economic situation in Europe is also gradually improving. This is a factor that will positively influence the feelings of [European] people concerning immigrants, concerning newcomers, concerning this sensitivity on enlargement," he added.
The timetable could see: an 8 November EU report praising Macedonian political reform but voicing worry over mounting ethnic tensions; 22 April French presidential elections; the German EU presidency soon after setting a date for EU-Macedonia accession talks to start in 2007 or 2008 and EU entry in 2012 or 2013, Mr Milososki indicated.
"We are asking for a date [for starting accession talks], because being a candidate country without a date is like arranging a wedding without music and so we can not start with the wedding," he explained.
EU enlargement fatigue came to the fore after French voters rejected the draft EU constitution in mid-2005 in a move linked to popular feeling that EU expansion is out of control, with the 2004 wave seeing 10 countries join the bloc and with Romanian and Bulgarian accession looming next year.
"Absorption capacity" - the concept that EU institutions can not function in their present form with any more member states - is also emerging in Brussels as a new enlargement criterion alongside formal "Copenhagen Criteria" on democracy, human rights and market economy standards.
"Macedonia is a country with a population the size of Paris, without counting the [Paris] suburbs. That is not an entity that could disturb any absorption capacity of the EU," the Macedonian foreign minister said on his 2.1 million-strong country. "We are happy to be small."
Balkan frontrunner
All the Western Balkan states are officially heading for EU entry with Croatia (which began accession talks in October 2005) and Macedonia (which gained EU candidate status in December 2005), ahead of Bosnia, Albania and Montenegro and with Serbia and Kosovo tied up in war crimes and sovereignty disputes.
On paper, the EU says that "every country will be measured according to its merits" when it comes to accession, but some EU diplomats say the bloc is tightening membership criteria and is treating Balkan hopefuls as a "group of future members" that will stay "on hold" for several years.
Macedonia's internal political conflict - with ethnic-Albanian opposition party DUI and the ruling Macedonian conservative party VMRO-DPMNE at each other's throats since 5 July elections - is "accidentally serving well" Brussels' reluctance to press ahead with Balkan enlargement, one EU diplomat stated.
Stability at risk
"We are watching very closely the relations between the government and the Albanian opposition, because it's very important for the stability of the country," the contact told EUobserver.
The DUI has vowed to topple the government on grounds it can't be trusted to implement the 2001 so-called "Ohrid Agreement" on protecting the country's 500,000-strong ethnic Albanian minority, with corruption issues and a 35 percent unemployment rate also damaging Skopje's EU readiness credibility.
Recent "direct contact" between DUI leader Ali Ahmeti and VMRO-DPMNE prime minister Nikola Gruevski is "the best possible sign" of softening interethnic relations, foreign minister Milososki argued, adding that Skopje and Brussels have successfully built a "multiethnic functional democracy" in Macedonia in the past 13 years.
"We are proud of that," the foreign minister said.
New working hours in Skopje's Clinic Center
New working hours from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. will be introduced in out-patient clinics and daily hospitals at Clinics Center as of November 1st, an official source told Makfax news agency.
The novelty is that each clinic at the country's largest hospital complex will have its own telephone line, which will enable the primary-care physicians to appoint medical examination for their patients.
Control examinations will be scheduled by specialist in his/her report to primary-care physician, containing the date and the hour when the examination took place.
This novelty will decrease the possibility that patients pick doctors-specialists to run the treatment.
The current working hours at out-patient clinics run from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m. The introduction of new working hours aims to ease the queues at overcrowded hospitals in Clinics Center. The move has already won consent by doctors and other medical staff.
The novelty is that each clinic at the country's largest hospital complex will have its own telephone line, which will enable the primary-care physicians to appoint medical examination for their patients.
Control examinations will be scheduled by specialist in his/her report to primary-care physician, containing the date and the hour when the examination took place.
This novelty will decrease the possibility that patients pick doctors-specialists to run the treatment.
The current working hours at out-patient clinics run from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m. The introduction of new working hours aims to ease the queues at overcrowded hospitals in Clinics Center. The move has already won consent by doctors and other medical staff.
Macedonian government regrets over attack on Russian diplomats
Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Monday expressed his regrets over the incident in which four Russian diplomats were attacked in a Skopje cafe at the weekend, news reaching here from Skopje reported.
"The government of the Republic of Macedonia will put all its efforts to investigate and clarify the incident," says a statement released by the prime minister's public relations office.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in a popular cafe in downtown Skopje, capital of Macedonia.
Macedonian police said the four Russian diplomats had a quarrel with other people in a cafe and when they were about to leave, a man hit one of them, sparking a brawl. Between 10 and 12 people were taking part in the attack on the four diplomats, local media reported.
The Russian embassy said that the diplomats had suffered injuries including nose fractures, contusions and deep facial cuts.
The Russian ambassador to Macedonia, Vladimir Solotsinsky, has sent a note to his Macedonian counterpart, asking for a swift and objective investigation into this incident and punishment for the attackers.
Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki promised a thorough investigation, saying bilateral relations should not be affected by what he called an isolated incident, perpetrated by hooligans.
"This is an isolated incident, and more precisely, a common street melee, in which no representatives of state institutions took part," said Shpresa Jusufi, spokeswoman of the Macedonian foreign ministry.
The Macedonia interior ministry said it was doing all it could "to find and apprehend the attacker."
"The government of the Republic of Macedonia will put all its efforts to investigate and clarify the incident," says a statement released by the prime minister's public relations office.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning in a popular cafe in downtown Skopje, capital of Macedonia.
Macedonian police said the four Russian diplomats had a quarrel with other people in a cafe and when they were about to leave, a man hit one of them, sparking a brawl. Between 10 and 12 people were taking part in the attack on the four diplomats, local media reported.
The Russian embassy said that the diplomats had suffered injuries including nose fractures, contusions and deep facial cuts.
The Russian ambassador to Macedonia, Vladimir Solotsinsky, has sent a note to his Macedonian counterpart, asking for a swift and objective investigation into this incident and punishment for the attackers.
Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki promised a thorough investigation, saying bilateral relations should not be affected by what he called an isolated incident, perpetrated by hooligans.
"This is an isolated incident, and more precisely, a common street melee, in which no representatives of state institutions took part," said Shpresa Jusufi, spokeswoman of the Macedonian foreign ministry.
The Macedonia interior ministry said it was doing all it could "to find and apprehend the attacker."
Macedonian Foreign Minister: Bulgaria Will Be My First Destination from The Region
Skopje. ‘I will probably hold a visit to Bulgaria in shortest time and this would be the first country I will visit in the region’, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia Antonio Milososki said in an interview for FOCUS News Agency. According to Milososki this would continue the successful development of the relations between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Bulgaria. The two countries are soon to mark a 15-th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
The Negative Trend in Relations of Russia and Macedonia
Russia expressed the protest to Macedonia following the beating of four diplomats of the RF embassy in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, at night from Saturday to Sunday. The government of Macedonia will consider the accident today, October 31, 2006.
Late Saturday, four employees of Russia's embassy went to the popular Trend Café in downtown Skopje in hope to have a good time there. But when they were leaving in the small hours, a young man approached and stroke several blows at one of them for no apparent reasons.
A few more joined the scuffle at the exit, the diplomats claimed. All of a sudden, the guards stepped in to beat the Russians, driving up the number of attackers to between ten and 12.
The diplomats were saved by the police that stopped the row. Suffering from various injuries, they had the first aid applied in one of the local hospital and passed the blood test for alcohol there. The result was negative, representatives of the RF embassy pointed out.
In interpretation of Macedonia’s officials, the Russians were attacked by six or seven persons after the quarrel with other visitors of the cafe.
Late Saturday, four employees of Russia's embassy went to the popular Trend Café in downtown Skopje in hope to have a good time there. But when they were leaving in the small hours, a young man approached and stroke several blows at one of them for no apparent reasons.
A few more joined the scuffle at the exit, the diplomats claimed. All of a sudden, the guards stepped in to beat the Russians, driving up the number of attackers to between ten and 12.
The diplomats were saved by the police that stopped the row. Suffering from various injuries, they had the first aid applied in one of the local hospital and passed the blood test for alcohol there. The result was negative, representatives of the RF embassy pointed out.
In interpretation of Macedonia’s officials, the Russians were attacked by six or seven persons after the quarrel with other visitors of the cafe.
Macedonia’s third mobile licence tender gets under way
Macedonia's telecoms regulator the Electronic Communications Agency says that bidding for the country's third mobile licence will begin next week. The process will last until 15 January 2007 with the successful bidder required to launch in the summer of next year. Macedonia says it has already received expressions of interest from four international and four domestic companies wishing to participate in the auction. Under the auction rules, the third mobile operator must pay a minimum EUR5 million for the use of radio frequencies, and must agree to roll out a network capable of serving two million users. Companies wishing to bid must have reported income of at least EUR300 million in the period 2004-05, and the new operator must provide bank guarantees from ‘prominent world banks’. In addition, the winner must cover 30% of the population in the first year, rising to 50% in the second year and 90% in the fourth.
Macedonia Expecting to Receive EUR 300 Mln in Annual Foreign Investments
Skopje. The Macedonian government is expecting MacInvest Agency, which has 20 new employees and whose budget has soared 4-5 times, to attract between EUR 250 – 300 million in foreign investments annually. This is what Macedonian TV station Kanal 5 reports.
The agency will focus its efforts on the sectors in which Macedonia is considered to have some advantages: agriculture, textile industry, car industry and IT.
Mac Invest is headed by the Brit James Blewett who has to account for all the funding the government has allotted for attracting foreign investments, Kanal 5 notes.
The agency will focus its efforts on the sectors in which Macedonia is considered to have some advantages: agriculture, textile industry, car industry and IT.
Mac Invest is headed by the Brit James Blewett who has to account for all the funding the government has allotted for attracting foreign investments, Kanal 5 notes.
KFOR, Macedonia discuss boosting co-operation
SKOPJE, Macedonia -- Defence Minister Lazar Elenovski and the Chief of General Staff of the Macedonian Army, General Miroslav Stojanovski, met with KFOR Commander General Roland Kather on Tuesday (October 31st) in Skopje. They discussed ways to strengthen co-operation, particularly with regard to communications and exchanges of information between the Macedonian military and KFOR. They also talked about regional security and the latest developments in the Kosovo status talks.
In other news Tuesday, Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski endorsed the recently passed police law. Police reform is a chief requirement for the country's entry into the EU and NATO. (Makfax, MIA, A1 TV - 31/10/06)
Café security beat Russian diplomats in Macedonia
Four Russian diplomats were beaten in the Macedonian city of Skopje Oct 28. According to Macedonian interior ministry, the four diplomats were going to leave the café building when an a young man approached them and gave one of them several blows without giving explanations. Then the café security joined the assailant. There was 10 to 12 people among those who beat the diplomats, resulting in latter receiving heavy injuries. They were given initial medical assistance in a hospital and are now home.
According to Ekho Moskvy report, police is searching for the assailants. Russian foreign ministry is going to issue a protest note to the Macedonian side.
Cardiology Clinic complains of shortage of stents with cytostatic agents
The Skopje's Cardiology Clinic is facing a relative shortage of stents that have cytostatic agents.
The Director of the Clinic, Sahko Kedev said this today, explaining that shortage is due to increased volume of procedures and insufficient supply of the implants.
"I requested speeding up of the delivery procedure as early as the last week and we expect to receive the necessary supplies within a week", Kedev said, adding that he won't allow for provision of the necessary medicines and expandable materials on private basis, being it by the medical personnel or the patients.
At the moment, the Cardiology Clinic has 40 stents at its disposal, procured upon public bidding by the wholesale pharmacy distribution company "Dr. Panovski", however, Dr. Kedev MD, says they are unusable because they have no cytostatic agents.
On the other hand, the former Director of Cardiology, Dr. Borce Petrovski MD, dismissed Kedev's claiming by saying that "his statement is complete rubbish. It is a world-wide practice to use this kind of stents, which can be coated with cytostatic layer additionally, if a need arises".
Petrovski also accused Kedev for raising ungrounded allegations against his practices while holding the position of head of Cardiology Clinic.
"I refuse to take part in Kedev's manipulations that turned into a media circus, until he comes forward with solid arguments", Petrovski said, threatening to set out legal procedures against the slander attempts of his successor.
The Director of the Clinic, Sahko Kedev said this today, explaining that shortage is due to increased volume of procedures and insufficient supply of the implants.
"I requested speeding up of the delivery procedure as early as the last week and we expect to receive the necessary supplies within a week", Kedev said, adding that he won't allow for provision of the necessary medicines and expandable materials on private basis, being it by the medical personnel or the patients.
At the moment, the Cardiology Clinic has 40 stents at its disposal, procured upon public bidding by the wholesale pharmacy distribution company "Dr. Panovski", however, Dr. Kedev MD, says they are unusable because they have no cytostatic agents.
On the other hand, the former Director of Cardiology, Dr. Borce Petrovski MD, dismissed Kedev's claiming by saying that "his statement is complete rubbish. It is a world-wide practice to use this kind of stents, which can be coated with cytostatic layer additionally, if a need arises".
Petrovski also accused Kedev for raising ungrounded allegations against his practices while holding the position of head of Cardiology Clinic.
"I refuse to take part in Kedev's manipulations that turned into a media circus, until he comes forward with solid arguments", Petrovski said, threatening to set out legal procedures against the slander attempts of his successor.
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