Republic of Macedonia won't accept a name for international use which is different from the constitutional one.
Government's spokesman Ivica Bocevski confirmed to Makfax that Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski said this late Friday, while commenting the latest draft-framework of understanding of the UN mediator Matthew Nimetz, he handed over yesterday to the Macedonian and Greek negotiators.
Macedonian PM added that the document contained a number of items, including some more or less problematic, but that it also included some good points.
"There is an item that is definitely unacceptable for us, which says that the Republic of Macedonia is to accept for international use a name different of the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia," Gruevski said.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
More than 10,000 rally in Ottawa over FYROM/ Macedonia controversy
A rally staged last weekend in Ottawa by members of Canada's Greek community to protest the Conservative government's use of the name Macedonia in relations with the former Yugoslav republic called FYROM attracted more than 10,000 supporters, despite cool and rainy weather. "It turned out exceptionally well, notwithstanding the weather," Dimitrius Manolakos, president of the Canadian Hellenic Congress, said this week in an interview with TLN. According to Manolakos, the demonstration made front page news in the Sunday issue of Kathimerini, a highly-regarded daily newspaper in Greece.
Meeting this week at UN
The naming dispute between Greece and FYROM, as the former Yugoslovian republic is generally referred to internationally, has escalated to its highest point of tension, involving attempts at a resolution through the United Nations. Greek state officials and representatives from FYROM are scheduled to meet to come to an agreement starting this week at UN headquarters in New York. The Canadian decision to accept the name Macedonia in bilateral relations was announced in August by the government of the Balkan republic.
Dispute goes back 15 years
Although Canada's Foreign Affairs Department made no formal announcement, the change has been posted on its web site. FYROM sits in the southern Balkans, north of Greece, west of Bulgaria, east of Albania and south of Serbia, and has a population of just over two million. It separated peacefully from the splintering Yugoslavia in 1991, but then was hit by a Greek trade embargo over its choice of name. The embargo was lifted in 1995, but in 2001 an emergency broke out among FYROM's Albanian minority. That ended in an internationally-brokered peace establishing new rights for minorities.
Tories conspicuously absent
Among the speakers at last Sunday's rally were Costas Menedakis, president of Toronto's largest metropolitan Greek community association, John Theodossopoulos, president of the Hellenic Community of Montreal, Maria Mourani, the Bloc Québécois MP for Ahuntsic, and Paul Dewar, the NDP from Ottawa-Centre. Spokesmen for the Conservatives government were notably absent. "We would have welcomed a member of the Conservative party," said Manolakos, adding that invitations extended to the Conservatives were declined. Toronto-area Liberal MPs John Cannis and Jim Karygiannis addressed the crowd, as did former Montreal MP Eleni Bakopanos.
Few clergy present
Manolakos said a particular side-issue that has come up in conjunction with the rally has stirred controversy. Metropolitan Sotirios, the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church, "was not present nor did he support the rally," he said. "At the last minute, he sort of changed his mind. He allowed some priests to come, but, unfortunately, we had no strong presence of the clergy." Asked what he surmised was behind the development, Manolakos said, "It has to be a personal thing to him." Manolakos said the Metropolitan was present at a rally staged 15 years ago when the FYROM issue also was in the news. "There'll be a reaction to this from the people …
Meeting this week at UN
The naming dispute between Greece and FYROM, as the former Yugoslovian republic is generally referred to internationally, has escalated to its highest point of tension, involving attempts at a resolution through the United Nations. Greek state officials and representatives from FYROM are scheduled to meet to come to an agreement starting this week at UN headquarters in New York. The Canadian decision to accept the name Macedonia in bilateral relations was announced in August by the government of the Balkan republic.
Dispute goes back 15 years
Although Canada's Foreign Affairs Department made no formal announcement, the change has been posted on its web site. FYROM sits in the southern Balkans, north of Greece, west of Bulgaria, east of Albania and south of Serbia, and has a population of just over two million. It separated peacefully from the splintering Yugoslavia in 1991, but then was hit by a Greek trade embargo over its choice of name. The embargo was lifted in 1995, but in 2001 an emergency broke out among FYROM's Albanian minority. That ended in an internationally-brokered peace establishing new rights for minorities.
Tories conspicuously absent
Among the speakers at last Sunday's rally were Costas Menedakis, president of Toronto's largest metropolitan Greek community association, John Theodossopoulos, president of the Hellenic Community of Montreal, Maria Mourani, the Bloc Québécois MP for Ahuntsic, and Paul Dewar, the NDP from Ottawa-Centre. Spokesmen for the Conservatives government were notably absent. "We would have welcomed a member of the Conservative party," said Manolakos, adding that invitations extended to the Conservatives were declined. Toronto-area Liberal MPs John Cannis and Jim Karygiannis addressed the crowd, as did former Montreal MP Eleni Bakopanos.
Few clergy present
Manolakos said a particular side-issue that has come up in conjunction with the rally has stirred controversy. Metropolitan Sotirios, the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church, "was not present nor did he support the rally," he said. "At the last minute, he sort of changed his mind. He allowed some priests to come, but, unfortunately, we had no strong presence of the clergy." Asked what he surmised was behind the development, Manolakos said, "It has to be a personal thing to him." Manolakos said the Metropolitan was present at a rally staged 15 years ago when the FYROM issue also was in the news. "There'll be a reaction to this from the people …
Petitions insufficient, says Manolakos
"He should have been by his people if he is the leader of his people," he added. "When I asked him if he was going to come he told me he didn't think it was necessary for us to do a rally. He thought just signing petitions and delivering them to the prime minister would suffice. But I don't think signing petitions and taking them to the prime minister's office hardly draws attention to anything, right? I mean the fact that we were there drew the attention of the non-Greek media worldwide. Our rally has encouraged the Greek people of Australia to plan a rally for Nov. 17 on the same issue. So I think we made our mark." Manolakos said that just as Canada's Greeks were the first to respond to the wild fires that raged through Greece this past summer, they were also first to react to the FYROM issue.
Greek customs officers smuggle cigarettes through Macedonia
Three customs officers of Greece have been charged with involvement in major cigarette smuggling operation.
According to Greek official, the three customs officers have inflicted approximately 100 million loss to state budget.
The smuggling was unearthed by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) investigators, who had uncovered a non-licensed cigarette manufacturing plant in Austria few months ago.
The investigators found that 54 trucks packed with cigarettes, cigarette paper and filters had crossed Greek border and entered Kosovo via Kukus (Kilkis) border crossing.
The investigators keep a watchful eye on the Border crossing of Kilkis amid allegations of smuggling Chinese goods to Macedonia.
According to Greek official, the three customs officers have inflicted approximately 100 million loss to state budget.
The smuggling was unearthed by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) investigators, who had uncovered a non-licensed cigarette manufacturing plant in Austria few months ago.
The investigators found that 54 trucks packed with cigarettes, cigarette paper and filters had crossed Greek border and entered Kosovo via Kukus (Kilkis) border crossing.
The investigators keep a watchful eye on the Border crossing of Kilkis amid allegations of smuggling Chinese goods to Macedonia.
EU won't propose starting Macedonia entry talks
The European Commission will not recommend opening EU membership talks with Macedonia in its annual progress report next week because of political problems in the former Yugoslav republic, an EU source said on Tuesday.
The decision means Skopje is unlikely to begin the talks before 2009 at the earliest, dashing government hopes of starting next year, diplomats said.
"They lost a lot of time this year when (the main ethnic Albanian party) was out of parliament. They still need to work better on political dialogue to have a climate conducive for reforms," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The EU officially made Macedonia a candidate for membership in 2005, four years after an accord between the majority Macedonian and minority Albanian communities, brokered by the EU and NATO, pulled the country back from the brink of civil war.
But Brussels insisted on progress on the rule of law, the rights of the Albanian minority and fighting organised crime and corruption before entry talks could start.
EU officials lament the absence of dialogue with the Albanian community, the politicisation of the civil service and the blockage of key judicial reforms.
Diplomats said Slovenia, another former Yugoslav republic which takes over the EU's rotating presidency in January, was keen to advance Macedonia's bid but had concluded it would be counter-productive to ask the Commission for an interim report in mid-2008.
"If such a report were negative, it would be a very bad signal. We obviously need the candidate countries to do their homework. We can't do it for them," one diplomat said.
Instead, Slovenia will try to bring the Western Balkans countries closer to the EU by other means such as a proposed European Research Area, the diplomat said.
WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION
Macedonia's leading newspaper, Dnevnik, quoted the draft European Commission report as saying that parliament had been disrupted by a quarrel between the government and the opposition party representing the country's large ethnic Albanian minority.
"Several laws are still blocked, especially judicial reform," Dnevnik quoted the report as saying.
"Corruption is widespread and a serious problem," it quoted the report as saying, underlining the difficult relationship between Macedonia's president and prime minister.
The report also criticised mass sackings of civil servants after a change of government in 2006, saying "there has to be a separation between the political and administrative level."
Dnevnik said the report urged Macedonia and Greece to renew efforts to resolve their dispute over the country's name.
Athens has opposed the use of the name "Macedonia" ever since Skopje seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991, forcing the international community to recognise the country under the title "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
Macedonia is also the name of Greece's northern province and Athens considers its use a sign of territorial ambition. The neighbours have been involved in UN-led talks for a compromise since 1993, with little progress.
The decision means Skopje is unlikely to begin the talks before 2009 at the earliest, dashing government hopes of starting next year, diplomats said.
"They lost a lot of time this year when (the main ethnic Albanian party) was out of parliament. They still need to work better on political dialogue to have a climate conducive for reforms," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The EU officially made Macedonia a candidate for membership in 2005, four years after an accord between the majority Macedonian and minority Albanian communities, brokered by the EU and NATO, pulled the country back from the brink of civil war.
But Brussels insisted on progress on the rule of law, the rights of the Albanian minority and fighting organised crime and corruption before entry talks could start.
EU officials lament the absence of dialogue with the Albanian community, the politicisation of the civil service and the blockage of key judicial reforms.
Diplomats said Slovenia, another former Yugoslav republic which takes over the EU's rotating presidency in January, was keen to advance Macedonia's bid but had concluded it would be counter-productive to ask the Commission for an interim report in mid-2008.
"If such a report were negative, it would be a very bad signal. We obviously need the candidate countries to do their homework. We can't do it for them," one diplomat said.
Instead, Slovenia will try to bring the Western Balkans countries closer to the EU by other means such as a proposed European Research Area, the diplomat said.
WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION
Macedonia's leading newspaper, Dnevnik, quoted the draft European Commission report as saying that parliament had been disrupted by a quarrel between the government and the opposition party representing the country's large ethnic Albanian minority.
"Several laws are still blocked, especially judicial reform," Dnevnik quoted the report as saying.
"Corruption is widespread and a serious problem," it quoted the report as saying, underlining the difficult relationship between Macedonia's president and prime minister.
The report also criticised mass sackings of civil servants after a change of government in 2006, saying "there has to be a separation between the political and administrative level."
Dnevnik said the report urged Macedonia and Greece to renew efforts to resolve their dispute over the country's name.
Athens has opposed the use of the name "Macedonia" ever since Skopje seceded from Yugoslavia in 1991, forcing the international community to recognise the country under the title "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".
Macedonia is also the name of Greece's northern province and Athens considers its use a sign of territorial ambition. The neighbours have been involved in UN-led talks for a compromise since 1993, with little progress.
Macedonia to receive over €300 mln from EU funds by 2010
Skopje. A significant increase of the EU's financial assistance to Macedonia, which will exceed a total amount of 300 million euros in the next four years, is envisaged by the two agreements Macedonia and EU signed today in Skopje, Macedonian Makfax informed.
Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Gabriela Konevska-Trajkovska and the European Ambassador to Macedonia Erwan Fouere signed a framework agreement stipulating the rules of cooperation in IPA implementation, as well as a financial agreement on the national program for the instrument for pre-accession assistance.
"Macedonia is the first country in the region to sign the agreements enabling use of the IPA funds," said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Integration Gabriela Konevska-Trajkovska. She announced that the project of police reforms will be the first to be registered for the instrument for pre-accession assistance.
The European Ambassador Fouere specified that this agreement will provide for substantial increase of the EU's financial assistance to Macedonia, which will include €58.5 million for 2007, €70.2 million for 2008, €81.8 million for 2009 and €92.3 million for 2010.
Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Gabriela Konevska-Trajkovska and the European Ambassador to Macedonia Erwan Fouere signed a framework agreement stipulating the rules of cooperation in IPA implementation, as well as a financial agreement on the national program for the instrument for pre-accession assistance.
"Macedonia is the first country in the region to sign the agreements enabling use of the IPA funds," said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Integration Gabriela Konevska-Trajkovska. She announced that the project of police reforms will be the first to be registered for the instrument for pre-accession assistance.
The European Ambassador Fouere specified that this agreement will provide for substantial increase of the EU's financial assistance to Macedonia, which will include €58.5 million for 2007, €70.2 million for 2008, €81.8 million for 2009 and €92.3 million for 2010.
Former Macedonian PM appears in court over arms deal
Macedonia's former prime minister appeared in a Skopje district court Monday to face charges of acting against the national interest in connection with an arms procurement deal.
Vlado Buckovski, now an opposition Social Democrat lawmaker, told judges he was innocent of any wrongdoing in the 2001 deal, which prosecutors say cost the country €3 million (US$4.3 million).
Buckovski, who was prime minister between 2004-2006, was defense minister at the time.
Also on trial are Macedonia's former army chief of staff, Gen. Metodi Stamboliski, two senior defense ministry officials and the manager of a state-owned metal company that supplied the military equipment.
According to the indictment, the suspects abused their positions and harmed the country's interests by ordering four times the quantity of tank parts required by the armed forces in November 2001.
Buckovski was charged last month. Macedonian lawmakers had lifted his parliamentary immunity from prosecution in August.
Speaking in court Monday, Buckovski argued that the tank parts were needed due to instability in the country after an armed uprising by ethnic Albanian rebels in which 80 people died.
"There are a number of inaccuracies in the indictment," he said. "It is absurd to claim that security in Macedonia had not deteriorated in 2001."
Australia won't change name policy
Australian has no plans to formally recognize Macedonia by its constitutional name, Australian Prime Minister Alexander Downer said on Monday.
In an interview for The Age newspaper, Downer said he was aware of reports saying the Australian government might be considering changing its policy of using the name of the country.
"These reports are incorrect... The Australian government has no such plans," Downer said in a statement.
He added that Australia's use of the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) remained consistent with UN guidelines and was a temporary measure pending a resolution of the issue between governments in Athens and Skopje.
"We call on the governments in Athens and Skopje to work together to resolve their differences on this issue, in cooperation with United Nations negotiators," he said.
Several thousands of Macedonians rallied Sunday in front of parliament in Canberra, urging the Australian authorities to recognize Macedonia by its constitutional name.
Australia recognized Macedonia by provisional reference FYROM in 1994.
In an interview for The Age newspaper, Downer said he was aware of reports saying the Australian government might be considering changing its policy of using the name of the country.
"These reports are incorrect... The Australian government has no such plans," Downer said in a statement.
He added that Australia's use of the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) remained consistent with UN guidelines and was a temporary measure pending a resolution of the issue between governments in Athens and Skopje.
"We call on the governments in Athens and Skopje to work together to resolve their differences on this issue, in cooperation with United Nations negotiators," he said.
Several thousands of Macedonians rallied Sunday in front of parliament in Canberra, urging the Australian authorities to recognize Macedonia by its constitutional name.
Australia recognized Macedonia by provisional reference FYROM in 1994.
Miloshoski says Greece should recognize Macedonia's name
Macedonia will become an ally for Greece through recognition of the country's constitutional name, Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski said on Monday.
"Greece recognizes our country as FYROM, and we are partners. Once Greece recognizes our country by the name Republic of Macedonia, we will be allies. Everything is in Greece's hands," Miloshovski said in an interview for Greek daily Elefteros Typos.
During the upcoming talks in New York, slated for Thursday, Macedonia won't quit the double formula to resolve the name differences, Miloshoski added.
As regards Greece's threats to veto Macedonia's integration into Euro-Atlantic community, Macedonian foreign minister made it clear that with the 1995 interim treaty, Athens undertook not to hamper the accession of its neighboring country in the international organizations.
Miloshoski told Elefteros Typos daily that Macedonia has no territorial claims to any of its neighboring countries, adding that re-naming of Skopje's airport into Alexander the Great does not constitute a provocation toward Greece.
"Greece recognizes our country as FYROM, and we are partners. Once Greece recognizes our country by the name Republic of Macedonia, we will be allies. Everything is in Greece's hands," Miloshovski said in an interview for Greek daily Elefteros Typos.
During the upcoming talks in New York, slated for Thursday, Macedonia won't quit the double formula to resolve the name differences, Miloshoski added.
As regards Greece's threats to veto Macedonia's integration into Euro-Atlantic community, Macedonian foreign minister made it clear that with the 1995 interim treaty, Athens undertook not to hamper the accession of its neighboring country in the international organizations.
Miloshoski told Elefteros Typos daily that Macedonia has no territorial claims to any of its neighboring countries, adding that re-naming of Skopje's airport into Alexander the Great does not constitute a provocation toward Greece.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Crvenkovski and Gruevski express condolences for Tose Proeski's death
Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski expressed today condolences for Tose Proeski's tragic death.
"God blessed Macedonia with a special gift, to have your loving son as its companion, and blessed all of us with a pleasure to be contemporaries of a great artists with an endlessly humane soul filled with love, understanding and compassion for all people", says the telegram sent by the President Branko Crvenkovski to the Tose Proeski's family.
"He has always been and will continue to be our pride and pride of our country and his work will remain as a Macedonian precious treasure, a pride of every Macedonian and an everlasting artistic value in which his cultural greatness will live forever", PM Gruevski's said in his letter of condolences.
"God blessed Macedonia with a special gift, to have your loving son as its companion, and blessed all of us with a pleasure to be contemporaries of a great artists with an endlessly humane soul filled with love, understanding and compassion for all people", says the telegram sent by the President Branko Crvenkovski to the Tose Proeski's family.
"He has always been and will continue to be our pride and pride of our country and his work will remain as a Macedonian precious treasure, a pride of every Macedonian and an everlasting artistic value in which his cultural greatness will live forever", PM Gruevski's said in his letter of condolences.
Milovanovich/Fouere: Macedonia lost a great son
US Ambassador Gillian Milovanovich and the European Ambassador Erwan Fouere "joined the grief of the nation" by sending letters of condolences for the death of the Macedonian singer Tose Proeski.
"Tose touched countless lives while he was with us. He was an excellent example of how much kindness a man can give. His music and the joy he was giving to millions and the inspiration he gave particularly to the young people, continue to live as an eternal heritage", says the Ambassador Milovanovich's letter released to the Macedonian media.
Ambassador Fouere's reaction was similar: "He was one of the best Ambassadors of the country and the region. His music and his voice were warming the hearts of all generations. His music will remain as a living testimony to inspire the current and future generations", Fouere said in his letter.
"Tose touched countless lives while he was with us. He was an excellent example of how much kindness a man can give. His music and the joy he was giving to millions and the inspiration he gave particularly to the young people, continue to live as an eternal heritage", says the Ambassador Milovanovich's letter released to the Macedonian media.
Ambassador Fouere's reaction was similar: "He was one of the best Ambassadors of the country and the region. His music and his voice were warming the hearts of all generations. His music will remain as a living testimony to inspire the current and future generations", Fouere said in his letter.
Shocked Macedonians mourn pop star Proeski
Shocked Macedonians on Tuesday mourned one of their biggest stars, singer Tose Proeski, who was killed in a car crash on a Croatian motorway in the early hours.
In the capital Skopje, thousands of sobbing fans gathered in the main square, lighting candles and leaving flowers, teddy bears and posters of the 26-year-old pop star in makeshift shrines.
The government said the day of Proeski's funeral would be a day of national mourning and awarded him the title "Honorable citizen of Macedonia". It cancelled its sessions for the day, and sent a delegation to Croatia to recover his body.
"We all couldn't help but love Tose Proeski," said Macedonia's President Branko Crvenkovski in a statement expressing his condolences to the singer's family.
Croatian police said Proeski's vehicle hit the back of a truck and crashed into the protective fence on the Zagreb to Belgrade highway near Nova Gradiska, 120 km (70 miles) east of Zagreb. He was asleep in the passenger seat.
Two other people in the car were injured.
Macedonian television stations interrupted their regular programs with news of the accident.
Proeski, a classically-trained singer, started his pop career at 15, releasing his debut album at 18His boyish good looks and passionate delivery made him a regional favorite. He had several number one hits in Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia with songs such as "Cija si" (Whose Are You) and "Ako me poglednes vo oci" (If You Look Me In The Eyes).
He sang in Macedonian and Serbian and represented Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004.
He was also a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and toured the Balkans to promote humanitarian projects.
Popular Macedonian singer Toshe Proeski dies in car accident in Croatia
Macedonian pop star Toshe Proeski, whose ballads earned him admirers across the former Yugoslavia, died Tuesday when his car crashed into a truck on a motorway in Croatia, police said.
Proeski, 26, represented Macedonia in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, and his good looks and romantic songs such as "Heart is not a stone" and "Tie me to yourself" won him fans across the former Yugoslavia.
He recorded seven albums, as well as duets with other popular singers in the Balkans.
In Macedonia, parliament canceled its session after hearing the news, and the government declared Wednesday a day of mourning. Dozens of teenagers gathered at the main square in the capital, Skopje, to light candles and pay tribute to him.
"Macedonia and the Balkans lost an angel," said the head of the Macedonian Orthodox church, Archbishop Stefan.
Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski said: "We all have been blessed with such a great singer and with his immense soul filled with love."
Proeski began his music career in 1996. He studied singing at Skopje Music Academy and in New York. He was also known for his charity work, and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2004.
U.S. ambassador to Macedonia, Gillian Milovanovic, who worked with Proeski on several humanitarian projects, said he was an "outstanding example of how much good one person can accomplish."
In his native town of Krusevo in central Macedonia, schools canceled classes.
Proeski's body is expected to be transferred to Macedonia late Tuesday, and to be buried in Krusevo.
Croatian police spokeswoman Kata Nuic said the driver of Proeski's car and another passenger were also injured in the crash. Nuic said the accident likely was caused by "speed and (driver's) exhaustion."
Balkan pop star dies in car crash
Macedonian pop star Tose Proeski, a hugely popular singer in the Balkans, has died in a car crash in Croatia.
His fan base rivals that of Elvis Presley in the Balkans. He sang for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest.
Police said the 26-year-old's car was in a collision with a lorry on a motorway near the eastern Croatian town of Nova Gradiska.
Two other people were hurt. Proeski won many awards in Balkan song contests.
Reuters news agency says that in the Macedonian capital Skopje many people wept after hearing the news and a day of national mourning was called for Wednesday.
Local radio stations started playing Proeski's songs back-to-back.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Bulgarian embassy in Skopje maltreats Macedonians
Skopje. After all what has been achieved for the last 17 years, since Bulgaria recognized the independence of Macedonia and started working for the building of real neighbor relations, now everything is collapsing, the Macedonian daily Vecer reports, citing Bulgarian media.
Bulgaria is voluntarily giving up everything, achieved so far and the leading role for this belomgs to the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje.
According to the daily, the main weapon, that the Bulgarian Ambassador Miho Mihov has were the visas. Apart from having to wait for 60 days to obtain a visa, the Macedonians had to receive invitation from a relative, or company in Bulgaria and to prove that they have at least EUR 60 for each day of their stay in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria is voluntarily giving up everything, achieved so far and the leading role for this belomgs to the Bulgarian embassy in Skopje.
According to the daily, the main weapon, that the Bulgarian Ambassador Miho Mihov has were the visas. Apart from having to wait for 60 days to obtain a visa, the Macedonians had to receive invitation from a relative, or company in Bulgaria and to prove that they have at least EUR 60 for each day of their stay in Bulgaria.
Ljubco Georgievski requested separation of Macedonia
Skopje. If Kosovo receives independence, the Albanian extremists would attack Macedonia in five years, the former Macedonian Prime Minister, now Bulgarian citizen Ljubco Georgievski forecasted form the coasts of the Black Sea, the Macedonian TV channel A1 announced.
Speaking in the Bulgarian coastal resort town of Sozopol, Georgievski has requested that Macedonia, which according to him was now functioning as a federative state, is separated, as the towns of Tetovo, Debar and Gostivar, which are purely Albanian, are given to the Albanians.
Georgievski proposed that Skopje and Struga remain in the Macedonian part of Macedonia, as the two towns were half-Albanian in his opinion.
Speaking in the Bulgarian coastal resort town of Sozopol, Georgievski has requested that Macedonia, which according to him was now functioning as a federative state, is separated, as the towns of Tetovo, Debar and Gostivar, which are purely Albanian, are given to the Albanians.
Georgievski proposed that Skopje and Struga remain in the Macedonian part of Macedonia, as the two towns were half-Albanian in his opinion.
Strumica observes day of mourning
The Municipality of Strumica today observes a day of mourning over the death of two minors in rehabilitation center in Bansko.
Dragan Stoilkov from Vinica and Bajram Memish from Skopje died in a blaze that broke out last weekend at the rehabilitation center.
The employees at the Center staged a ceremony in commemoration of two victims of deadly fire. They placed wreaths and lit candles at the entrance of the facility.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing and the initial results are to be released today.
Unofficial reports say the fire was probably caused by a spark of electric wiring in one of the rooms of the old facility.
Dragan Stoilkov from Vinica and Bajram Memish from Skopje died in a blaze that broke out last weekend at the rehabilitation center.
The employees at the Center staged a ceremony in commemoration of two victims of deadly fire. They placed wreaths and lit candles at the entrance of the facility.
The investigation into the fire is ongoing and the initial results are to be released today.
Unofficial reports say the fire was probably caused by a spark of electric wiring in one of the rooms of the old facility.
Macedonia’s NATO accession not directly related to Kosovo: German Defense Minister
Skopje. Macedonia’s accession to NATO is not directly related to the solving of Kosovo issue, the German Defense Minister Franz Josef Yung said today in Skopje after meeting his Macedonian counterpart Lazar Elenovski, Makfax reports.
Yung said that in September NATO will present a report on the progress of the reforms in Macedonian. Concerning the military field the country has marked an excellent progress of reforms that are required for being granted membership in the Alliance, Yung stressed.
Yung said that in September NATO will present a report on the progress of the reforms in Macedonian. Concerning the military field the country has marked an excellent progress of reforms that are required for being granted membership in the Alliance, Yung stressed.
Bulgaria to Maintain Visa Regime With Macedonia
Although the number of Macedonians entering Bulgaria has fallen recently, its consul in Skopje, Vencislav Cvetanov, told local media on Wednesday that Bulgaria does not plan to abolish the visa regime it imposed in January when it joined the European Union.
In an interview published in local Dnevnik daily, Cvetanov said the issue of visas was more “a problem for Macedonia to decide” and that “if Macedonia improves the border control… and talks things through with the European Union, things may be different”.
Since the beginning of the year, Bulgaria has issued 50,000 visas for Macedonian citizens - between 300 to 700 visas per day.
The visa regime imposed by Bulgaria on non-EU neighbours hit the inhabitants of the 14 Macedonian municipalities on the eastern border hardest.
The number of Macedonians visiting Bulgaria decreased significantly
Skopje. The number of Macedonian citizens who are visiting Bulgaria has decreased significantly, but this is normal for a country where there is a visa regime. But I believe that the regime between Bulgaria and Macedonia is comparatively liberal, Ventsislav Tsvetanov, consul of the Republic of Bulgaria to Skopje, in an interview for the Macedonian daily Dnevnik.
According to Tsvetanov it should not be forgotten that Bulgaria is an outer border of the EU and any visa regime means barrier, so that the European Union can be secure.
According to Tsvetanov it should not be forgotten that Bulgaria is an outer border of the EU and any visa regime means barrier, so that the European Union can be secure.
Macedonia won’t have ambassadors in other countries soon
Skopje. It seems that much of time will pass before Macedonia sends ambassadors to other countries. There is no initiative to organize a meeting with President Branko Crvenkovski and PM Nikola Gruevski to appoint ambassadors on the posts of those whose term of office has expired, Macedonian A1 TV reported.
Government’s attempt to send a representative in Brussels proves the lack of dialogue between the president and the prime minister, at a time when Macedonia must be very active in diplomatic aspect, the media says.
“In a year, when having diplomatic relations with members of the EU and NATO is highly important, we stand last in this sphere. The level of diplomatic relations is decreasing, as we don’t have ambassadors in this centers”, President Crvenkovski said in Berovo.
The government did not wish to comment on this criticism. The terms of office of most of the ambassadors will expire in September, or have already expired - however, under the decision of Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki the terms of offices will be prolonged.
Government’s attempt to send a representative in Brussels proves the lack of dialogue between the president and the prime minister, at a time when Macedonia must be very active in diplomatic aspect, the media says.
“In a year, when having diplomatic relations with members of the EU and NATO is highly important, we stand last in this sphere. The level of diplomatic relations is decreasing, as we don’t have ambassadors in this centers”, President Crvenkovski said in Berovo.
The government did not wish to comment on this criticism. The terms of office of most of the ambassadors will expire in September, or have already expired - however, under the decision of Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki the terms of offices will be prolonged.
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