Macedonia willing to intensify cooperation with Belarus

Macedonia is ready to intensify bilateral ties with Belarus and expand bilateral cooperation in the international arena, counselor of state of the Macedonian foreign ministry Milan Spiridanovski stated when meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Vasiliy Dolgolev in Moscow, BelTA has been informed in the Belarusian diplomatic mission.

Vasiliy Dolgolev welcomed the aspiration of Macedonia to expand bilateral ties, first of all, trade-economic cooperation which is currently far below the potential of the two countries. The Belarusian ambassador highlighted that the two countries need to expand the existing legal base.

The sides have agreed to continue the practice of exchanging visits of official and business delegations, ministerial consultations. In line with the intergovernmental agreement on trade and economic cooperation the two countries have set up a joint committee for trade and economic cooperation to promote contacts between the two countries, the embassy noted.

Moreover, Ambassador of Macedonia to Russia Zlatko Lichevskiwho was also present at the meeting informed that he will soon obtain accreditation on concurrent in Belarus.

Belarus and Macedonia established diplomatic relations on January 20, 1993. In January-October this year, the bilateral trade made up $1 million 885 thousand, or 65.4 per cent up as against the same period last year.

Macedonian Defense Ministry Discontinues Contract with MZT After Weapon Scandal

Skopje. The Ministry of Defense of Macedonia discontinued the contract with the MZT company /Metal Processing Plant Tito/, the country’s Minister of Defense Lazar Elenovski said. cited by Makfax.
Meanwhile the head of the Logistics support department of the General Staff of the Macedonian army was dismissed.
These are the first measures, undertaken by the Ministry of Defense in Macedonia after the scandal with three Bulgarian trucks loaded with weapons, held by Macedonian police.

Names of Detained Drivers in Skopje have been Revealed

Skopje. The names of the four Bulgarian drivers detained in Macedonia are Svetoslav Gotsev, Rangel Antonov, Alexander Dimitrov and Georgi Yordanov, the correspondent of Focus Agency in Skopje reports.
They are detained until the case inquest ends. The drivers were arrested on December 14th when three trucks transporting weapons without an escort and the necessary documents, were detained.
The name of the company the four Bulgarians work for is not yet known.

Skopje and Belgrade for "acceptable solution" on Kosovo

Macedonia and Serbia are committed to mutually acceptable solution on Kosovo, which would bring stability to the region.

This was announced by the Macedonian and Serbian Foreign Ministers, Antonio Miloshoski and Vuk Draskovic, during their talks in Belgrade today.

Minister Miloshoski, who kicked off an on-day visit to Serbia on Monday, said Macedonia wants the issue of Kosovo to be resolved in "best way possible".

Serbian Minister Draskovic, on his part, said that the best solution on Kosovo would be the one that will not bring "a feeling of humiliation to anyone", and would not give anyone the right "to declare himself a winner".

The two ministers confirmed the exceptionally good relations, sharing the stance that no open problems stand between the two countries, and announced opening of new border crossings, Serbian State Television (RTS) reported.

According to the announcement, the Serbian Parliament Speaker, Predrag Markovic, who also met with Macedonian Foreign Minister, had somewhat different view on the Serbian-Macedonian relations.

According to Markovic, although there are no rifts between the two countries, there are some open issues. He added, nonetheless, that both countries are standing ready to step up the bilateral cooperation.

Markovic and Miloshoski jointly called for bridging the disagreements between the Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox Church.

"It is an obligation of the state authorities to encourage the Churches to reach a solution on the problem", says the announcement released after the meeting of the Serbian Parliament Speaker and the Macedonian Foreign Minister.

Macedonia can rely on Vatican support, PM Gruevski

Macedonian top delegation led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski had an official audience Saturday with the Head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, MIA's special correspondent reports. Gruevski said the meeting focused on Macedonia-Vatican relations and thus Macedonia could rely on Holy See's support for Macedonian aspirations for EU accession.
-We can rely on Vatican as supporter and partner to the Republic of Macedonia, said Gruevski, adding that both interlocutors also talked about the situation in Macedonia, being EU candidate country. -Vatican's support for EU is extremely important for us (Macedonia).
Furthermore, he briefed the Pontiff on Government's plans to establish religious instructions in schools and to renovate Mother Theresa's house.
-The Pontiff was acknowledged with the new law on holidays, as well as with Government's plans for establishing religious instructions in schools. It was a very pleasant moment for Vatican, added Gruevski. He said that meetings were held with Vatican's Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and with Secretary for Relations with States Monsignor Dominique Mamberti.
-We've invited them to Macedonia, to attend the conference which is due to take place in October. It will be a conference for peaceful and civilised dialogue.
According to Gruevski, Radio Vatican might start broadcasting programme on Macedonian language as of next year.
The meeting was chiefly focused on Greece's name dispute with Macedonia. In the course of the meeting with Benedict XVI, Gruevski briefed on Macedonian Orthodox Church's dispute with the Serbian Church.
-I've elaborated the absurdity of the situation that's taking place with the Serbian Orthodox Church. They are mostly neutral on the issue, however they've always had determined their own influence, said Gruevski.
He visited St. Clement’s Basilica, where he laid flowers on St. Cyril's tomb. The delegation, paying first official visit to Vatican, included the Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and Vice PMs Zoran Stavreski and Imer Selmani.

Lukoil vice-president to visit Macedonia

The vice-president of Russian oil company Lukoil, Nikolai Cherny, will visit Macedonia on 18-19 December.

Lukoil's vice-president will be holding talks with the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, with a main focus on the obligations arising from the Memorandum of Cooperation, signed by the Macedonian Government and the Lukoil Company.

"Lukoil Macedonia" started its commercial operations in Macedonia in mid-August last year. In the course of two-day visit to Skopje, Cherny will be informed about company's plans for the year 2007. He will also visit the gas stations at Kamnik and the oil base in Stip.

Three Bulgarian Trucks, Seized in Skopje, Transported NATO Arms

Skopje. The three trucks with Bulgarian license plates which were seized in Skopje, transported NATO arms, a correspondent of FOCUS News Agency in the Macedonian capital reported. The trucks were loaded with light portable firearms, produced in Germany and bearing the NATO symbols on them.
On Saturday, the Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski announced that it was the third consecutive cargo of such a type.
“It’s the third shipment in a row. The only blunder, which was made during the transportation, was that the convoy was unescorted. The blunder will be checked so that those responsible for it are found out”, Elenovski said.
The court in Skopje decided yesterday to leave the four Bulgarian citizens who drove the trucks in custody. They were arrested on December 14 at about 8 p.m.
FOCUS News Agency will continue informing its readers of the developments of the case.

Macedonian Interior and Defense Ministers Met to Discuss Weapons Seized in Skopje

Skopje. Regarding the weapons seized in Skopje on Thursday evening Macedonian Minister of Interior Gordana Jankulovska stated that there were doubts and the transportation of the weapons could have been unsettled, the Macedonian MIA agency announces.
Jankulovska said this after the meeting with Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski when the two Ministers discussed the weapons case.

SDSM Demanded Resignation of Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska

Skopje. The oppositional Socialdemocratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) demanded the resignation of the Minister of Interior Gordana Jankulovska, the Albanian Lajm newspaper announced. At a press conference in Skopje Alexander Cebotarev accused Jankulovska and the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski for the “two mega rows” and said that they were consequence from the attempt of the rulers to manipulate the public opinion. The oppositional representative concluded that Jankulovska not only didn’t know what her subordinates did but also tried to hide them, the publication wrote.

One More Albanian Party Could Become Part of Macedonia’s Ruling Coalition

Skopje. It is possible for the oppositional Party for Democratic Prosperity /PDP/ of Abduladi Vejseli to become part of the ruling coalition in Macedonia, the Macedonian daily Vreme reports, citing the Macedonian leader of the ruling VMRO-DPMNE and Prime Minster of the country Nikola Gruevski.
According to sources form the party Gruevski intends to ensure the so-called Badenter’s majority in the Parliament, which is necessary to pass laws linked to the ethnic societies in the country.

Macedonia has medium-term EU perspective

BRUSSELS -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Macedonia "has a prospect" for joining the EU, but that it is a medium-term one.

Germany takes over six-month rotation as EU President on 1 January 2007. Stabilization of the Western Balkan will be one of the Berlin's priority in this period, the Chancellor said.

Merkel further said that countries such as Albania, Bosnia, Serbia and Macedonia have a "prospect of membership ... but we know that the perspective is a medium-term one."

She added that "a great many preparations" would be needed before it becomes reality, AP reported.

As regards Croatia, Merkel noted authority the EU was conducting "successful negotiations" with this country, it was too early to set a date for it to join the bloc.

"We all know that the perspective of joining is no guarantee for later membership, but that the criteria must be fulfilled," she said. "I don't say this as a threat, but rather as an encouragement to the countries that want to join".

According to the announcements, Union's enlargement, judiciary, internal affairs and migration policy will top the summit's agenda.

The conclusions referring to the enlargement will include separate sections on Croatia and Turkey - the two countries which have already started the membership negotiations, and on the Western Balkan's countries.

The summit is expected to reaffirm the European aspirations of the Balkan's countries, however no progress is in sight as to setting the date of negotiations with Macedonia

Only the Four Bulgarian Drivers Arrested in Skopje Weapon Affair

Skopje. There are no other detainees in the Skopje weapon affair apart from the four Bulgarians Svetoslav Gotsev, Rangel Antonov, Alexander Dimitrov and Georgi Yordanov, the correspondent of Focus Agency in Skopje reports.
After being questioned the eight officers from the Macedonian General Staff and the Director of Tito metal processing plant were released. According to the police they will be again questioned if needed.
The four Bulgarians remain arrested. One of them is supposed to be the owner of the company transporting the weapons. The destination of the trucks is not yet clear. On Sunday the Macedonia media assume the weapons, which set off from Skopje barracks, were intended to pass transit as reexport.
The name of the former Defense Minister Jovan Manasievski has been brought up for the first time. The contract with Tito metal processing plant was signed while he held the minister’s post.
According to the then Defense Ministry Macedonia had too many weapons, which it sold through mediators.

Officers are Questioned in Macedonia about Weapons for Bulgaria

Skopje. In Macedonia the scandal with the three trucks detained while transporting weapons from the Macedonian capital city to Bulgaria is gaining speed. The trucks were loaded with the weapons in Goce Delcev barracks. 300 submachine guns, 300 guns and 33 granade guns were found. The drivers did not have the necessary documents, and the trucks traveled without police guard. The drivers, who are Bulgarian citizens, are detained for 30 hours, RIA Novosti announces.
The Chief of Macedonian General Staff Miroslav Stojanovski said the case could not be considered an attempt for illegal weapon export from the country.
“The weapons are old and unfit for use. They were sent to Bulgaria under a compensation contract,” Stojanovski stated.
Ten officers from the General Staff have been questioned about the case. It is not mentioned what their testimonies are.

VMRO-People’s Party Has no Data about Bulgarian Involvement in Illegal Trafficking in Weapons with Macedonia

Skopje. VMRO-People’s Party doesn’t have any information of whether Bulgarian institutions are involved in illegal trafficking in weapons between Macedonia and Bulgaria, the party’s spokesman Alexander Georgiev told FOCUS News Agency. Earlier today, the party, which is headed by Ljubco Gerogievski, said it had information about illegal trafficking. Alexander Georgiev stressed that the information of the party was related to the Republic of Macedonia and didn't concern any Bulgarian institutions. Georgievski added that VMRO-People’s Party would present more details about the issue after a meeting with the Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska.

Protesters demand end to 'abuses' of Macedonians in Bulgaria

Demonstrators in the Macedonian capital demanded on Friday that Bulgaria end alleged abuses and respect the rights of Macedonians living in the Balkan country.

Around 100 people protested in front of the European Union Mission office and the Macedonian Parliament in Skopje following allegations of police torture and threats against leaders and members of the political party of Macedonians in Bulgaria, OMO Ilinden-Pirin.

Organizers of the protest condemned what they called the "intimidation, illegal detentions, and police raids on apartments without court orders" against OMO Ilinden members. They also called on the parliament and European organizations to condemn Bulgaria.

Reports in the Macedonian media accused the Bulgarian authorities of abuses after the European Court for Human Rights ruled, in Oct. 2005, that Macedonians in Bulgaria were entitled to register their own political party.

Bulgaria, along with Romania, joins the EU on January 1. Macedonia is an EU candidate country but has yet to open accession negotiations.

The Macedonian Foreign Ministry has also called on Bulgaria to register the party and respect its rights.

Later on Friday, Bulgarian officials sharply criticized the demonstration and said it was harming bilateral relations.

"There still are certain circles in Skopje, which do not want any development of relations with Bulgaria, which continue to be slaves to past stereotypes and refuse to accept European values and standards," said foreign ministry spokesman Dimitar Tsantchev.

"The whole logic of the EU enlargement process unambiguously shows that the future cannot be built on dividing lines," he said.

Branko Crvenkovski Gives Positive Assessment of Macedonian National Security

Skopje. Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski gave a positive assessment of Macedonian national security after receiving data from Intelligence Agency on December 13th, the Macedonian A1 TV channel reports.
According to the President Kosovo is not a threat to Macedonian security for now, but there is such a possibility in the future. Crvenkovski stated everything depended on the final Kosovo status that is to be determined by the member states of the Working Group.
Crvenkovski does not take as serious the Serbian PM Vojislav Kostunica’s threats of economic embargo if Skopje recognizes region’s independence.

Arrested Bulgarian Drivers Get through to Bulgarian Embassy in Skopje

Skopje. Part of the weapons found in the Bulgarian trucks that were seized in Skopje were new, although under a contract between the Ministry of Defense and the metal-processing plant Tito they should be old, director of Macedonia’s Director of the Bureau of Public Security Ljupco Todorovski said cited by the Macedonian agency Makfax. Todorovski explained that the police would continue investigating the case to find out the source and final destination of the weapons. The Interior Ministry confirmed that an executory officer had imposed a thirty-day arrest on four Bulgarians, who drove the trucks. They were allowed to get through to the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje and to brief a lawyer. The police demanded a meeting with representatives of the General Staff of Macedonia’s Armed Forces and the metal-processing plant Tito.

Macedonian and Bulgarian Transport Ministers Signed Cooperation Protocol

Skopje. Macedonian and Bulgarian Transport Ministers Mile Janakievski and Petar Mutafchiev signed a cooperation protocol between the two countries in several areas, the Macedonian Vecer
Macedonia and Bulgaria are to build the road infrastructure of Corridor 8, open three new border checkpoints, bring the railways construction to an end, and set up regular airlines. The Ministers agreed on the establishment of four working groups that are to start the preparation for the joint projects in the area of EU integration, road infrastructure, and railway and air transports in January. After concurring on the projects the two countries will apply for finance under EU funds. newspaper writes.

4 Bulgarians arrested for arms smuggling in Macedonia

Police seized three trucks loaded with weapons and arrested four Bulgarian men on smuggling charges, authorities said Saturday.

The four suspects — aged between 26 to 48 — were taken into custody late Thursday after police searched the unescorted trucks with Bulgarian license plates on a highway near the capital, Skopje. They found 300 new German-made MG-3 machine guns and 33 M-43 mine-throwers.

Police did not disclose the destination of the convoy.

The suspects carried no documents for the cargo. They said they had been transporting arms as part of an agreement between a Bulgarian and Macedonian metal companies involving repaired weapons decommissioned by the Macedonian army.

But the seized weapons were new, said Ljupco Todorovski, director of the National Bureau for public security.

"This is a very odd case and we will continue investigations," Todorovski said.

Macedonia police finds new weapons in seized arms

New weapons have been found in three trucks loaded with arms which were supposed to be decommissioned ones, Macedonian police said on Saturday.

Police found 300 new German-made MG-3 machine guns and 33 M-43 mine-throwers, news reaching here from Skopje reported.

"Some of them are new, although the contract between the Macedonian ministry of defense and the metal processing plant Tito makes clear that they should be old ones," Liupco Todorovski, director of the Bureau for Public Security, told the local press.

Macedonian police seized the three Bulgarian trucks loaded with mortals, machine guns, assault rifles and pistols, outside Skopje on Thursday night, claiming that there were neither proper escorts for the shipment nor adequate documents to go with the cargo.

The Macedonian army later confirmed that the arms shipment belongs to the army, but refuted the claims for arms trafficking, saying that the weapons had been decommissioned by the army.

Macedonian police have arrested four Bulgarian men on arms smuggling charges, and promised to continue the investigation of the case.