On September 1, the mobile operator Mobimak will officially become a member of T-Mobile International, one of the world's leading companies in mobile communications.
The information was made public at Thursday's press conference in Skopje, held by Mobimak's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rubin Zareski and Mobimak's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Michael Lawrence.
"We have wrapped up a successful rebranding process, consequently, Mobimak has become a part of 90 million-strong family of mobile phone users across the globe," Zareski said at today's press conference.
He added that the rebranded company will further comply with the legal liabilities it has assumed beforehand. Zareski hinted at the possibility for title-related alterations in post-paid contracts.
Zareski and Lawrence promoted the new T-Mobile shop at the shopping mall in downtown Skopje (GTC).
Lawrence stressed that the new shop represents company's highest technical achievements, adding that similar shops have been already opened in Montenegro, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and in the United States.
Lawrence said T-Mobile Macedonia would focus on three things - to make sure that subscribers are pleased with T-mobile services, simplicity i.e. easy access to services, and emotional aspect.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Four hurt in Macedonia market shooting
SKOPJE, Macedonia-Unidentified gunmen fired shots at a coffee shop in the Old Bazaar of Macedonia's capital Wednesday, injuring four men, police said.
All of the injured, including the coffee shop owner, were hospitalized, police spokesman Borce Pesevski said.
Local media, without citing sources, reported that three gunmen were involved in the shooting, and that one of the injured men was in critical condition.
The Ottoman-era Old Bazaar was once a tourist attraction in Skopje, but has attracted fewer visitors in recent years because of rising crime in the area.
CGK says corruption deepens in health sector
Health sector in Macedonia is seriously jeopardized by various types of corruption unfolding in two segments - procurement of medicaments and medical equipment, and corrupt practices in terms of providing health care, says the latest survey conducted by Center for Civic Communication (CGK).
The survey shows personal benefit at the expense of the citizens in all spheres of public health-care.
The survey shows that wide-ranging scope of abuse of health sector results from absence of transparent procedures related to procurement, extremely weak supervision of spending of money of health-care beneficiaries, including the big solidarity among doctors in terms of hushing up corruption, thus seeing the corruption as a compensation for low wages despite the high professional background.
The lack of accountability for reported abuse also contributes to corruption spread in this sector.
As regards health services, much alarming is the fact confirmed almost by all - the existence of a tariff that sets out the price of bribe depending on the type of service and doctor's skills.
The survey shows that patients' "gratitude" to doctors who took care about their health has become a public secret. The more skilled doctor the higher is the "gratitude" paid out in return.
Some doctors send the patients from public health institutions to private outpatient clinics, where they work overtime. Although this is not a direct form of corruption, the confidence garnered on public account is being used for personal gains.
In some cases, physicians instruct the patients to buy certain drug at certain pharmacy, thus gaining commission from the supplier or pharmacy owner.
Referring to positive experience in Slovenia, large number of participants in this survey point out the need for formation of Assembly of Beneficiaries at the Health Insurance Fund, which is likely to tighten control on funds spending.
The survey shows personal benefit at the expense of the citizens in all spheres of public health-care.
The survey shows that wide-ranging scope of abuse of health sector results from absence of transparent procedures related to procurement, extremely weak supervision of spending of money of health-care beneficiaries, including the big solidarity among doctors in terms of hushing up corruption, thus seeing the corruption as a compensation for low wages despite the high professional background.
The lack of accountability for reported abuse also contributes to corruption spread in this sector.
As regards health services, much alarming is the fact confirmed almost by all - the existence of a tariff that sets out the price of bribe depending on the type of service and doctor's skills.
The survey shows that patients' "gratitude" to doctors who took care about their health has become a public secret. The more skilled doctor the higher is the "gratitude" paid out in return.
Some doctors send the patients from public health institutions to private outpatient clinics, where they work overtime. Although this is not a direct form of corruption, the confidence garnered on public account is being used for personal gains.
In some cases, physicians instruct the patients to buy certain drug at certain pharmacy, thus gaining commission from the supplier or pharmacy owner.
Referring to positive experience in Slovenia, large number of participants in this survey point out the need for formation of Assembly of Beneficiaries at the Health Insurance Fund, which is likely to tighten control on funds spending.
US Congressmen Urge Macedonia to Stop Nationalistic Propaganda
Skopje/Athens. US congressmen urge Macedonia to stop its nationalistic propaganda, Greek site News.in informs.
This is what has been noted in a draft resolution introduced at the US Congress by Democrat Caroline Maloney. By now the draft resolution has been signed by 77 congressmen from the Republican and Democratic parties.
The resolution reads that Macedonia should stop with the “negative and nationalistic propaganda” and start cooperating with the UN and Greece for finding an acceptable official name for the republic.
The site notes that last month Republican Party congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called on Skopje to accept the proposal of UN Special Envoy on FYROM Matthew Nemitz. In an article in the National Review magazine the congresswoman stresses that Mr. Nemitz’s proposal is the basis for talks on finding an acceptable solution to the name dispute “in favor of both states and the stability on the Balkans”.
This is what has been noted in a draft resolution introduced at the US Congress by Democrat Caroline Maloney. By now the draft resolution has been signed by 77 congressmen from the Republican and Democratic parties.
The resolution reads that Macedonia should stop with the “negative and nationalistic propaganda” and start cooperating with the UN and Greece for finding an acceptable official name for the republic.
The site notes that last month Republican Party congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who is the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called on Skopje to accept the proposal of UN Special Envoy on FYROM Matthew Nemitz. In an article in the National Review magazine the congresswoman stresses that Mr. Nemitz’s proposal is the basis for talks on finding an acceptable solution to the name dispute “in favor of both states and the stability on the Balkans”.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Macedonia to take care of its minority in neighboring countries
Macedonia is entitled to take care of its minority in the neighboring countries, said the newly appointed Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski in an interview with Skopje's daily Dnevnik.
"Macedonia can lobby and even encourage the neighboring countries, without causing conflict or upset, to comply with European criteria regarding ethnic minority rights. This will be a policy of this government," Miloshoski told Dnevnik daily.
As regards name dispute with Greece, Miloshoski reiterated that the dispute is just a problem between Athens and Skopje, adding that Macedonia could not give up on its constitutional name.
"We don't want to cause waves. That's not our politics... However, I would like to say something: How could a man give up his own shadow. Macedonia could not quit its own name," he added.
Miloshoski made a suggestion to Athens to be in footsteps of Washington and to see the US motives for recognition of Macedonia's constitutional name.
As regards Kosovo issue, Miloshoski said three things are important as far as Macedonia is concerned: the final status should reflect the will of majority citizens in Kosovo; the final settlement should be agreed by the three parties - Pristina, Belgrade and the international community; and finally, the final status should boost not undermine the stability in the region.
Miloshoski sees the demarcation of Macedonia's northern border with Kosovo as part of the third condition mentioned hereabove, however, he raised doubts that Macedonia could wrap up border demarcation prior to status settlement.
"We would be pleased if demarcation of Macedonia's northern border becomes part of the final status package," Macedonian foreign minister said.
Miloshoski said the new government will also take care of Macedonian Diaspora in Europe and offshore countries, noting that the Diaspora will be entitled to vote in the next elections in Macedonia.
"The first thing is to enable the Diaspora to cast their votes at elections..." Miloshoski told Dnevnik daily.
"Macedonia can lobby and even encourage the neighboring countries, without causing conflict or upset, to comply with European criteria regarding ethnic minority rights. This will be a policy of this government," Miloshoski told Dnevnik daily.
As regards name dispute with Greece, Miloshoski reiterated that the dispute is just a problem between Athens and Skopje, adding that Macedonia could not give up on its constitutional name.
"We don't want to cause waves. That's not our politics... However, I would like to say something: How could a man give up his own shadow. Macedonia could not quit its own name," he added.
Miloshoski made a suggestion to Athens to be in footsteps of Washington and to see the US motives for recognition of Macedonia's constitutional name.
As regards Kosovo issue, Miloshoski said three things are important as far as Macedonia is concerned: the final status should reflect the will of majority citizens in Kosovo; the final settlement should be agreed by the three parties - Pristina, Belgrade and the international community; and finally, the final status should boost not undermine the stability in the region.
Miloshoski sees the demarcation of Macedonia's northern border with Kosovo as part of the third condition mentioned hereabove, however, he raised doubts that Macedonia could wrap up border demarcation prior to status settlement.
"We would be pleased if demarcation of Macedonia's northern border becomes part of the final status package," Macedonian foreign minister said.
Miloshoski said the new government will also take care of Macedonian Diaspora in Europe and offshore countries, noting that the Diaspora will be entitled to vote in the next elections in Macedonia.
"The first thing is to enable the Diaspora to cast their votes at elections..." Miloshoski told Dnevnik daily.
New Russian Ambassador handed over credentials to Crvenkovski
The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Branko Crvenkovski, received today the letter of credentials of the newly appointed plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Macedonia, Vladimir Solotsinsky.
"Macedonian people, and I personally, value highly the friendly Russian Federation's support to our country ever since declaring of independence, and especially in the hard times, backing its sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitarian character of the state", Crvenkovski said.
"I believe that the Russian companies and businessmen will start fining their interest to invest in the Republic of Macedonia. In that sense, I would like to emphasize that you will be provided with support by the Macedonian institutions", Macedonia Head of State added.
Ambassador Solotsinsky said that "Russia has always supported the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the unitarian character of the Republic Macedonia and that position remains unchanged. We will continue our fully support to the efforts of the Macedonia leadership aimed at preserving these values".
He added that "Macedonia is an important political partner for Russia".
"Our intention is to continue the constructive coordination with your country within the international organization on both bilateral and multilateral bases, furthering the practice of exchanging opinions about the main global issues", the new Russian Ambassador said.
As regards the economic cooperation, Solotsinsky stated that "Russia is gradually becoming one of the most important economic partners of Macedonia".
He noted that he will do everything in his power to boost the relations between the two countries in the fields spanning economy and politics.
"Macedonian people, and I personally, value highly the friendly Russian Federation's support to our country ever since declaring of independence, and especially in the hard times, backing its sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitarian character of the state", Crvenkovski said.
"I believe that the Russian companies and businessmen will start fining their interest to invest in the Republic of Macedonia. In that sense, I would like to emphasize that you will be provided with support by the Macedonian institutions", Macedonia Head of State added.
Ambassador Solotsinsky said that "Russia has always supported the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the unitarian character of the Republic Macedonia and that position remains unchanged. We will continue our fully support to the efforts of the Macedonia leadership aimed at preserving these values".
He added that "Macedonia is an important political partner for Russia".
"Our intention is to continue the constructive coordination with your country within the international organization on both bilateral and multilateral bases, furthering the practice of exchanging opinions about the main global issues", the new Russian Ambassador said.
As regards the economic cooperation, Solotsinsky stated that "Russia is gradually becoming one of the most important economic partners of Macedonia".
He noted that he will do everything in his power to boost the relations between the two countries in the fields spanning economy and politics.
New government to convene for first session
The new Macedonian government will convene Tuesday for its first session, government's Public Relations Sector said.
No further details regarding the agenda of the first session have been released so far. The session will begin at 14:00 hrs. It takes place one day after the official hand-over of posts between the outgoing and incoming ministers.
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski assumed on Monday their first official duties, which included receiving of credentials of newly appointed ambassadors to Macedonia, hosting a delegation of the US company Johnson Controls and a delegation of the People's Republic of China.
No further details regarding the agenda of the first session have been released so far. The session will begin at 14:00 hrs. It takes place one day after the official hand-over of posts between the outgoing and incoming ministers.
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and the Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski assumed on Monday their first official duties, which included receiving of credentials of newly appointed ambassadors to Macedonia, hosting a delegation of the US company Johnson Controls and a delegation of the People's Republic of China.
US hail peaceful transition of power
United States of America have hailed the peaceful transition of power in Macedonia, saying that "it sends a positive signal in the region regarding the progress the democratic institutions in Macedonia have made since the 1991 declaration of independence".
This is stated in the press statement, released by the US Embassy in Skopje.
"We wish the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his Cabinet a successful launch of the ambitious government's programme. We will support the Government in efforts to step up the economic prosperity, strengthening of the rule of law, full implementation of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement, as well as in pursuing the remaining reforms aimed at further progress of the Republic of Macedonia toward full integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures", the announcement adds.
This is stated in the press statement, released by the US Embassy in Skopje.
"We wish the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his Cabinet a successful launch of the ambitious government's programme. We will support the Government in efforts to step up the economic prosperity, strengthening of the rule of law, full implementation of the 2001 Ohrid Agreement, as well as in pursuing the remaining reforms aimed at further progress of the Republic of Macedonia toward full integration in the Euro-Atlantic structures", the announcement adds.
45th Struga Poetry Evenings Opens
More than 70 poets from around the world are participating in the 45th Struga Poetry Evenings (SPE), which opened on Thursday (24 August). The event is the most prestigious poetry-focused programme in the Balkans, and is heralded worldwide.
Kicking off the SPE was a reading of the Macedonian poem "T'ga za jug" (Grief for the South) by Konstantin Miladinov and a spectacular fireworks show. This year's poet laureate Cuban Nancy Morejón planted the 45th tree in the Park of Poetry.
Morejón writes in Spanish and has 15 books of poetry published. Experts see her modern poetry as continuing the tradition of the old Spanish ballade, where dance, music, warmth and love are the dominant themes. Her works have been translated into almost every European language and published in magazines in the United States.
The central topic of the SPE this year is the multimedia mark of modern poetry and the relation of verses to other arts. The 2006 symposium of the SPE, "The Poem/The Picture: A Dialogue Between Poetry and Painting", was envisioned as a dialogue between poets and painters in theory and aesthetics. Several roundtables are scheduled to focus on this topic.
Other events include a traditional poetry evening dedicated to Caribbean poetry, readings called "Night without Punctuation" will be organised, and a book of poetry, "Pleiades" and anthologies of poetry by Macedonian authors will be published.
The high point of the festival is Bridges -- an event held on the outlet of the Crn Drim River to Lake Ohrid. During this event, the SPE and UNESCO will present an award to young author Maria Markovna-Geyde from the Russian Federation, for her book "Time to Dust".
The SPE will not end in Struga. The poets will visit other towns in Macedonia to read verses in a mission to spread art. Eventually, they will all gather in Skopje for a poetry matinee and reading.
Distinguished poets have come to Macedonia for the SPE for 45 years. The winner of last year's SPE Golden Wreath was the American poet W.S. Merwin. US poets Allen Ginsberg and Joseph Brodsky, Greece's Yannis Ritsos, Hungarian Laszlo Nagy, Chilean Pablo Neruda, Spain's Justo Jorge Padron and Israeli Yehuda Amichai are just some who have received the Golden Wreath.
New directors appointed in IM and Customs Administration
Saso Mijalkov has been appointed as new Director of the Security and Counter-Intelligence Administration (UBK), while Ljupco Todorovski will take up the post of Director of the Public Security Office (BJB).
The new directors have been appointed by a Government's decision adopted at its first session, upon proposal of the Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska.
Mijalkov's career record includes the posts of Aide for security and intelligence of the Defense Minister, Advisor for security issues of the Defense Minister, and State Secretary for security in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.
Todorovski held the post of head of Illegal drugs trafficking department with Interior Ministry in 1999. Afterwards, he was appointed as chief of Organized crime department, before taking up the posts of head of Analytics department, and later on - Under-secretary in charge of Crime-Police. He obtained DEA and crisis management certificates, FBI diploma, as well as a certificate on counter-terrorism. He is MA on security studies.
The Government has appointed as Tome Tasevski as acting director of the Customs Administration, who previously held a post at management board of the Bitola Section of Customs Administration.
Vasil Donevski has been appointed as a director of the Common and Joint Affairs Office, while Stojan Tapandzievski is the new acting director of the Employment Agency.
Ivica Georgievski will hold the position of acting director of Duty Free Zones.
At the same session, the Government has discharged from duties the directors and members of the managing boards of the public enterprises, funds and agencies, falling under Government's competence.
"The group discharging serves as a signal that the policy led by the previous Government was unsuccessful", the explanation of the Nikola Gruevski's Government says.
The new directors have been appointed by a Government's decision adopted at its first session, upon proposal of the Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska.
Mijalkov's career record includes the posts of Aide for security and intelligence of the Defense Minister, Advisor for security issues of the Defense Minister, and State Secretary for security in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.
Todorovski held the post of head of Illegal drugs trafficking department with Interior Ministry in 1999. Afterwards, he was appointed as chief of Organized crime department, before taking up the posts of head of Analytics department, and later on - Under-secretary in charge of Crime-Police. He obtained DEA and crisis management certificates, FBI diploma, as well as a certificate on counter-terrorism. He is MA on security studies.
The Government has appointed as Tome Tasevski as acting director of the Customs Administration, who previously held a post at management board of the Bitola Section of Customs Administration.
Vasil Donevski has been appointed as a director of the Common and Joint Affairs Office, while Stojan Tapandzievski is the new acting director of the Employment Agency.
Ivica Georgievski will hold the position of acting director of Duty Free Zones.
At the same session, the Government has discharged from duties the directors and members of the managing boards of the public enterprises, funds and agencies, falling under Government's competence.
"The group discharging serves as a signal that the policy led by the previous Government was unsuccessful", the explanation of the Nikola Gruevski's Government says.
EBRD investments in FYR Macedonia will increase over the next two years to help further promote the country’s transition process and reform agenda.
In its latest strategy for the country, issued 2006-08-30 on www.ebrd.com the Bank says investments will focus on supporting and attracting local and foreign businesses, working with the financial sector to develop a wider range of products and to increase financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Bank will also promote infrastructure projects, including privatisations. There will be a particular focus on projects that benefit businesses and people, such as roads, airports, as well as on regional projects.
Through policy dialogue, the Bank will also help push forward the reform agenda, particularly in areas such as the judiciary system, the fight against corruption as well as improving the business climate for investors, particularly SMEs.
Kenji Nakazawa, Head of the EBRD’s office in FYR Macedonia, said the country has made much progress in recent years in meeting its transition challenges and must now build on this to promote an investor-friendly business climate that will attract much-needed investment. The EBRD’s two-year strategy emphasises the Bank’s commitment to being an important partner for local and foreign businesses and for FYR Macedonia as it advances in its transition process and builds on its reform agenda, he added.
Active in FYR Macedonia since 1993, EBRD investments to date amount to more than €403 million, with €86 million committed between in the last strategy period from 2004 to 2006, in areas such as power and energy, general industries and financial institutions. In that period investments rose 27 per cent from the previous two years.
An important element of the Bank’s work in FYR Macedonia will continue to rely on support from the donor community. Earlier this year, eleven countries committed to financing the Western Balkans Multi Donor Fund, set up to help boost private business investment and infrastructure development in this region.
In many respects, donor finance is the catalyst that helps drive EBRD projects, and this is important in helping countries like FYR Macedonia in their transition process, said Mr Nakazawa.
Through policy dialogue, the Bank will also help push forward the reform agenda, particularly in areas such as the judiciary system, the fight against corruption as well as improving the business climate for investors, particularly SMEs.
Kenji Nakazawa, Head of the EBRD’s office in FYR Macedonia, said the country has made much progress in recent years in meeting its transition challenges and must now build on this to promote an investor-friendly business climate that will attract much-needed investment. The EBRD’s two-year strategy emphasises the Bank’s commitment to being an important partner for local and foreign businesses and for FYR Macedonia as it advances in its transition process and builds on its reform agenda, he added.
Active in FYR Macedonia since 1993, EBRD investments to date amount to more than €403 million, with €86 million committed between in the last strategy period from 2004 to 2006, in areas such as power and energy, general industries and financial institutions. In that period investments rose 27 per cent from the previous two years.
An important element of the Bank’s work in FYR Macedonia will continue to rely on support from the donor community. Earlier this year, eleven countries committed to financing the Western Balkans Multi Donor Fund, set up to help boost private business investment and infrastructure development in this region.
In many respects, donor finance is the catalyst that helps drive EBRD projects, and this is important in helping countries like FYR Macedonia in their transition process, said Mr Nakazawa.
Gov't adamant over 'name issue' with FYROM
The "name issue" separating Athens and Skopje re-emerged on the "political radar" this week following a series of mostly inflexible statements by FYROM's new leadership, and expected reactions by Greece's foreign ministry.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis on Wednesday was the latest top Greek official to comment on the long-standing difference, again clarifying that a solution to the 16-year-old dispute absolutely does not revolve around the name that Greece will use in bilateral relations - a leitmotif of previous FYROM governments repeatedly cited by the Skopje over the past few days.
"If the stated goal was to decide how Greece will refer to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) then UN Security Council resolutions would not be necessary, nor would negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations secretary general be necessary," Valinakis said when asked about comments by FYROM PM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who heads a new coalition government in Skopje that was installed on Monday.
Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis on Wednesday was the latest top Greek official to comment on the long-standing difference, again clarifying that a solution to the 16-year-old dispute absolutely does not revolve around the name that Greece will use in bilateral relations - a leitmotif of previous FYROM governments repeatedly cited by the Skopje over the past few days.
"If the stated goal was to decide how Greece will refer to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) then UN Security Council resolutions would not be necessary, nor would negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations secretary general be necessary," Valinakis said when asked about comments by FYROM PM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who heads a new coalition government in Skopje that was installed on Monday.
Kosovo’s Separation Would Lead to War and to Macedonia’s Partition
Washington. If Kosovo is divided between the Albanians and the Serbs on the ethnical principle this would lead to a new war and to Macedonia’s separation as well. This is what the report of the Institute for Peace in Washington reads, Macedonian newspaper Dnevnik informs.
As a solution to Kosovo’s division the Institute proposes the introduction of English as the language of the state institutions which would be acceptable both for the Albanians and the Serbs.
The warnings in the report are published only a day after EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated that Kosovo is threatened by new clashes and rioting.
“If the Serbs in Kosovo are given a state the Albanians in Macedonia will want the same. This will also happen with the Albanians in the valley of Presevo,” the report warns.
As a solution to Kosovo’s division the Institute proposes the introduction of English as the language of the state institutions which would be acceptable both for the Albanians and the Serbs.
The warnings in the report are published only a day after EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated that Kosovo is threatened by new clashes and rioting.
“If the Serbs in Kosovo are given a state the Albanians in Macedonia will want the same. This will also happen with the Albanians in the valley of Presevo,” the report warns.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
PM Gruevski has EUR44.000 savings!
Macedonian Prime Minister has savings totaling 44.000 euros and no real estate or assets bearing his name, says the summary of the property status of the newly appointed office holders from VMRO DPMNE, published on the party's webpage.
VMRO DPMNE announced that the list will be continuously updated, according to the dynamics of appointing and election of other officials and filing out the questionnaires on their part.
Justice Minister Mihajlo Manevski shares ownership of a 114 square meters apartment in Skopje with his wife. His real estate property includes a family house in Bashino Selo and 10.000 square meters cultivating field, and his personal bank accounts total 85.000 denars.
Manevski family's savings total 20.000 euros.
Mile Janakieski, the new Minister of Transportation and Communication, owns an 65 square meters apartment in Skopje, subject to mortgage pay off, as well as a family house in Skopje's District of Kapishtec. Furthermore, he owns two houses in Prilep, his birth town. Janakievski holds 17 priority shares in Komercijalna Banka-Skopje, 33 priority shares in Stopanska Banka-Skopje and 68 shares in Prolux from Prilep.
Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski is a sole owner of two one-room apartments in Skopje and shares ownership with his wife over a 49 square meters apartment in Germany.
Miloshoski is paying off three loans intended for apartment provision. He posses no other property nor has registered savings.
Zoran Konjanovski, the Minister for Local Self-Governance, owns an apartment under construction in Skopje, with area of 41 square meters. His assets also include a banking account containing 200.000 denars and two foreign-currency bankbooks, totaling 1.135 euros.
VMRO DPMNE announced that the list will be continuously updated, according to the dynamics of appointing and election of other officials and filing out the questionnaires on their part.
Justice Minister Mihajlo Manevski shares ownership of a 114 square meters apartment in Skopje with his wife. His real estate property includes a family house in Bashino Selo and 10.000 square meters cultivating field, and his personal bank accounts total 85.000 denars.
Manevski family's savings total 20.000 euros.
Mile Janakieski, the new Minister of Transportation and Communication, owns an 65 square meters apartment in Skopje, subject to mortgage pay off, as well as a family house in Skopje's District of Kapishtec. Furthermore, he owns two houses in Prilep, his birth town. Janakievski holds 17 priority shares in Komercijalna Banka-Skopje, 33 priority shares in Stopanska Banka-Skopje and 68 shares in Prolux from Prilep.
Foreign Minister Antonio Miloshoski is a sole owner of two one-room apartments in Skopje and shares ownership with his wife over a 49 square meters apartment in Germany.
Miloshoski is paying off three loans intended for apartment provision. He posses no other property nor has registered savings.
Zoran Konjanovski, the Minister for Local Self-Governance, owns an apartment under construction in Skopje, with area of 41 square meters. His assets also include a banking account containing 200.000 denars and two foreign-currency bankbooks, totaling 1.135 euros.
Albanians in Macedonia Protest New Government
Thousands of ethnic Albanians protested in front of the Macedonian parliament building in Skopje on Friday 25 August as legislators gathered to vote in the new government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. Gruevski’s VMRO-DPMNE won 5 July parliamentary elections and has proposed the formation of a coalition government with the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA) and several minor parties. But as the parliamentary session started, thousands of sympathizers of another ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union of Integrations (DUI), protested at being left out of the government.
Ethnic Albanians make about 25 per cent of Macedonia’s two million population and DUI won 17 parliamentary seats thanks to ethnic Albanian voters. But Gruevski decided to form a coalition with DPA, which won only 11 seats, drawing protests that he was ignoring the will of ethnic Albanians. Some ethnic Albanian intellectuals even wrote to United States Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, asking her to intervene.
Local media reported that parliament building was cordoned off by security police but there were no incidents. The vote on the new government is expected to take place late tonight.
Gruevski told parliament that his priority will be the improvement inter-ethnic relations, development of democracy, rooting out crime and poverty and improving the dire economic situation. On the international scale, Gruevski predicted Macedonia would become a member of NATO in 2008, and next year will become an official candidate to join the European Union.
Ethnic Albanians make about 25 per cent of Macedonia’s two million population and DUI won 17 parliamentary seats thanks to ethnic Albanian voters. But Gruevski decided to form a coalition with DPA, which won only 11 seats, drawing protests that he was ignoring the will of ethnic Albanians. Some ethnic Albanian intellectuals even wrote to United States Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, asking her to intervene.
Local media reported that parliament building was cordoned off by security police but there were no incidents. The vote on the new government is expected to take place late tonight.
Gruevski told parliament that his priority will be the improvement inter-ethnic relations, development of democracy, rooting out crime and poverty and improving the dire economic situation. On the international scale, Gruevski predicted Macedonia would become a member of NATO in 2008, and next year will become an official candidate to join the European Union.
If One Owns Bulgarian or Albanian Passport in Macedonia They Will Be Accused of Espionage: MP
Skopje. The Macedonian MP from the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) Dzevat Ademi refuted before FOCUS News Agency the information disseminated by Macedonian TV station A1 on Friday that DUI leader Ali Ahmeti had said that Macedonia should not be ruled by people with Bulgarian citizenship.
According to Mr. Ademi A1’s information could be called speculative.
“This information is taken out of the context of what Ali Ahmeti said. What he said was: “I as an Albanian can receive an Albanian citizenship but I do not have one because I have never wanted it. As an Albanian I have strong connections in Kosovo and I can become a citizen of Kosovo whenever I want. I, however, do not have such because I want to live in Macedonia and to work for this country because it is my native land,” the Macedonian MP explained.
When asked to comment whether people with double citizenship could govern Macedonia Dzevat Ademi stated: “As far as I know there are two or three ministers with double citizenship in the cabinet of Nikola Gruevski, which is not a legitimate cabinet. This bothers no one”.
According to him there are stereotypes that still exist in Macedonia according to which the politicians could have a Serbian passport but not an Albanian or Bulgarian one.
“If one has an Albanian or Bulgarian passport they will immediately be accused of espionage or of being someone’s vassal,” the DUI MP pointed out.
According to Mr. Ademi A1’s information could be called speculative.
“This information is taken out of the context of what Ali Ahmeti said. What he said was: “I as an Albanian can receive an Albanian citizenship but I do not have one because I have never wanted it. As an Albanian I have strong connections in Kosovo and I can become a citizen of Kosovo whenever I want. I, however, do not have such because I want to live in Macedonia and to work for this country because it is my native land,” the Macedonian MP explained.
When asked to comment whether people with double citizenship could govern Macedonia Dzevat Ademi stated: “As far as I know there are two or three ministers with double citizenship in the cabinet of Nikola Gruevski, which is not a legitimate cabinet. This bothers no one”.
According to him there are stereotypes that still exist in Macedonia according to which the politicians could have a Serbian passport but not an Albanian or Bulgarian one.
“If one has an Albanian or Bulgarian passport they will immediately be accused of espionage or of being someone’s vassal,” the DUI MP pointed out.
Macedonia’s New Government Has Only EUR 24 Million
Skopje. Macedonia’s new government has only EUR 24 million of the country’s budget at its disposal, Macedonian TV station A1 informs.
This information triggered a dispute between the up-to-now Finance Minister Nikola Popovski and the newly elected one Trajko Slaveski. Many questions were raised by the business circles in the country which need an answer. Will the new government be able to spend more money, how will the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank react to the spending of the money intended for the big economic projects are only some of these questions.
To begin with Minister Slaveski will order a rebalance of the budget and will check what his predecessor has left him.
This information triggered a dispute between the up-to-now Finance Minister Nikola Popovski and the newly elected one Trajko Slaveski. Many questions were raised by the business circles in the country which need an answer. Will the new government be able to spend more money, how will the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank react to the spending of the money intended for the big economic projects are only some of these questions.
To begin with Minister Slaveski will order a rebalance of the budget and will check what his predecessor has left him.
Macedonia gets new government, DUI uses militant rhetoric
Macedonian lawmakers approved the composition of the new government around midnight on Saturday (26 August). It consists of the VMRO-DPMNE, the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), the New Social Democrats and a few small parties with one or two MPs.
What has attracted the most attention is the exclusion of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the ethnic Albanian party that won more seats in parliament than the DPA. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski negotiated with DUI representatives for a few days but to no avail.
Gruevksi has denied DUI accusations that the party's exclusion violates the Ohrid Framework Agreement, arguing that obligations under the accord have been met by including the DPA. The US and EU ambassadors, meanwhile, called on DUI to be a constructive opposition. President Branko Crvenkovski voiced a similar view.
In the past weeks, DUI staged protests and blocked roads when it became clear that Gruevski was forming the government without the party, which is led by Ali Ahmeti.
The issue moved to the front burner late last week. While parliament met to approve the new government, DUI organised mass rallies. While Gruevski was presenting his plans to parliament, Ahmeti addressed protesters with militant statements.
"Gruevski will have a problem because he does not respect the will of the Albanians and because he humiliates them. We are the masters of our future and not the tenants in this country. I have already said that if we are not in the government, he will have to deal with us," Ahmeti told the few thousand protestors, according to Dnevnik and Utrinski Vesnik.
Ahmeti explicitly said he did not recognise the new cabinet. MPs for DUI and its coalition partner, PDP, did not attend the session in which lawmakers approved it.
Criticising the boycott, DPA Vice President Menduh Taci said Ahmeti's party did not have the courage to come to the parliament and exchange arguments there.
SDSM leader and outgoing Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski and outgoing Finance Minister Nikola Popovski, meanwhile, have expressed worry over DUI's absence from the government. Buckovski warned Gruevski to be especially watchful over security and good interethnic relations, the basis of stability in Macedonia and the precondition for economic stabilisation.
Heavy traffic accident near Debar leaves two dead
Two persons were killed in a heavy traffic accident that happened at the Gipsara locality near Debar, Makfax Agency reports.
The incident occurred when a Mercedes lorry loaded with firewood tipped over from as yet unknown reasons.
The three workers, who had been ferrying on the back of the lorry as seating on the top of the piled wood, attempted to rescue themselves by jumping off the truck, which left Agron Sulejmani dead on the spot, while Enver Pilici suffered severe injuries.
Pilici was immediately rushed to the Bitola hospital, where, according to the latest information, he succumbed to the injuries.
The lorry driver and the third worker suffered minor injuries.
The incident occurred when a Mercedes lorry loaded with firewood tipped over from as yet unknown reasons.
The three workers, who had been ferrying on the back of the lorry as seating on the top of the piled wood, attempted to rescue themselves by jumping off the truck, which left Agron Sulejmani dead on the spot, while Enver Pilici suffered severe injuries.
Pilici was immediately rushed to the Bitola hospital, where, according to the latest information, he succumbed to the injuries.
The lorry driver and the third worker suffered minor injuries.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Ali Ahmeti Will Not Meet Nikola Gruevski Until He Doesn’t Demand Support from Albanians
Skopje. The chairman of the Democratic Union for Integration Ali Ahmeti announced last night that he had no intention to meet the leader of VMRO-DPMNE and future Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski until he doesn’t demand Albanians’ support, Kanal 5 reports. “Until the mandate bearer Nikola Gruevski demonstrates that he doesn’t reckong with the voice of the majority Albanians he will not be a Prime Minister of the Albanians”, Ahmeti stated, commenting on the point of view of the international representatives in the country that an urgent meeting between himself and Gruevski should take place.
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