Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki met Wednesday with the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Knut Vollebaek, who is paying a three-day visit to Macedonia, Focus News Agency’s correspondent in Skopje reported.
The Macedonian Foreign Ministry announced that up for discussion was multiethnic dialog, confidence between communities with a focus on education. Milososki informed Vollebaek about the measures and actions of the Macedonian government to improve education and increase the number of ethnic community members in the local and government administration.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Macedonia dips seven points in economic freedom index
Macedonia ranks 78th in the 2009 Index of Economic Freedom Index, published jointly by Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal.
Macedonia's score is down seven points from the previous year's index.
The index reflects data of 10 categories, including business freedom, trade freedom and labor freedom, with marks ranging from 0 to 100.
A score of 80 to 100 means the economy is free and a score of less than 50 means the economy is repressed.
Macedonia's score is 61.2, up 0.2 from a year ago.
The index shows that the top 10 economic entities considered to be the freest economies are: Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Among the countries in the region, Bulgaria's ranking stands at 56, Albania's at 62, Slovenia's at 68, Greece's at 81, Montenegro's at 94, Serbia's at 109, Croatia's at 116 and Bosnia-Herzegovina's at 134.
Macedonia received good ratings in the sectors of fiscal freedom (89.4), monetary freedom (85.4) and trade freedom (81.6).
The report says Macedonia scored worse in property rights (30) and freedom from corruption (33). The country is seen as moderately free as regards investment freedom (50), business freedom (58.2), labor freedom (59.8), finance freedom (60) and government spending (65.2)
Macedonia's score is down seven points from the previous year's index.
The index reflects data of 10 categories, including business freedom, trade freedom and labor freedom, with marks ranging from 0 to 100.
A score of 80 to 100 means the economy is free and a score of less than 50 means the economy is repressed.
Macedonia's score is 61.2, up 0.2 from a year ago.
The index shows that the top 10 economic entities considered to be the freest economies are: Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Among the countries in the region, Bulgaria's ranking stands at 56, Albania's at 62, Slovenia's at 68, Greece's at 81, Montenegro's at 94, Serbia's at 109, Croatia's at 116 and Bosnia-Herzegovina's at 134.
Macedonia received good ratings in the sectors of fiscal freedom (89.4), monetary freedom (85.4) and trade freedom (81.6).
The report says Macedonia scored worse in property rights (30) and freedom from corruption (33). The country is seen as moderately free as regards investment freedom (50), business freedom (58.2), labor freedom (59.8), finance freedom (60) and government spending (65.2)
Australia needs a sensible foreign policy on Macedonia
Australia’s outdated, unfair and flawed policy on Macedonia is in need of review and innovation if Australia is to become an independent middle power in international relations. Calls for policy innovation have come from a number of sources.
First, the Australian Macedonian community has voiced its concerns through a variety of means such as a peaceful protest in May 2008 in Melbourne attended by at least 20,000 people; and more than 50,000 letters were sent to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on August 2, 2008 to which no response has been received.
Second, the Rudd Government has ignored the calls made by federal MPs - such as from its own ranks like Ms Jenny George MP and from the opposition, Mr Luke Simpkins MP - for Australia to change its policies on Macedonia’s constitutional name and to bring Australia into line with the rest of the world.
The Rudd Government and the Leader of the Opposition are ignoring the fact that 124 nations, including USA, China, Russia, Canada and the UK, have already recognised the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name for ethical, social justice and strategic reasons. They have also largely ignored the concerns of Australian Macedonian citizens who are appalled by Greece’s constant attempts to destroy Macedonian culture, language, identity and civilisation not only in Aegean Macedonia but also in the Republic of Macedonia, in the EU, the UN and here in Australia.
Funded by the Greek government budget and various foundations, the ultra-nationalistic Greek lobby has pursued a destabilising foreign policy which is now the single biggest impediment to any sensible EU, UN or Australian policy on Macedonia and its people, including the diaspora.
The Rudd Government, like previous federal and state governments, has allowed the Greek lobby to dictate Australian foreign policy on Macedonia in return for votes and other promises.
The Australian political system, the mainstream media and leading foreign policy think tanks have collectively failed to scrutinise the unsubstantiated propaganda of the Greek lobby. They have also failed to analyse and assess the damage that this flawed policy is having on Australia’s international image and reputation as a serious and independent player especially in regional peace and stability and human rights protection.
Australian policy towards Macedonia is not evidence-based given the fact that Macedonia has gone out of its way to integrate into the European Union, NATO and the wider international community. Macedonia along with Slovenia was ready to join the EU back in the early 1990s. Macedonia is a candidate to join the EU but its accession has been blocked by Greece. Macedonia has constantly tried to find a solution to the artificial smokescreen problem that Greek political parties have created around the name issue. Macedonia, since independence, has modified its flag and changed its constitution in order to allay fears from Greece about any territorial claims. Macedonia has a tiny army of 8,000 self defence soldiers whereas Greece has 240,000 combat-ready troops. Macedonia has also engaged in a ridiculous process of negotiating its name and identity under UN auspices only to be vetoed by Greece at the NATO Summit in Bucharest in 2008.
Background
Macedonia and its people have been in existence centuries before Christ and have a separate language and identity from the Greeks. Following the break up of the Ottoman Empire, Macedonia was partitioned in 1913 into four parts without the consent of the Macedonian people. Modern Greece, with the help of the French and the British Empire received 51 per cent of Macedonian territory.
Up until 1988, the Greek authorities referred to this part of Macedonia simply as as Northern Greece. It is only after the Republic of Macedonia (which was part of Yugoslavia) had become an independent state in 1991, that Greece embarked on a campaign of claiming that all of Macedonia is Greek because Greece feared there would be re-unification of the Macedonian people.
It has tried hard to prevent the Republic of Macedonia from integrating into the world under the name of Macedonia. Greece swiftly renamed the Macedonian territories under its control as Macedonia, as part of its Hellenisation policies designed to justify its land grab.
Greece’s intransigence and tactics have been a source of embarrassment to the remaining 25 NATO member states who wanted to extend an invitation of membership to the Republic of Macedonia based on meeting all the technical criteria. The US has warned that institutions such as NATO will become unsustainable if one member can hold the organisation to ransom.
As an Australian citizen, I find it difficult to understand how Australia can possibly be advantaged by a foreign policy which at best is redundant and at worst inconsistent with Australia’s much proclaimed values of fairness, democracy, human rights, independent thinking, freedom etc. The Australian Government’s policy on Macedonia is completely out of step with the majority of nations in the world and its own stated objective of pursuing an enlightened, activist and independent foreign policy.
Those who think that Australia should continue to follow the Greek foreign policy line on Macedonia need to understand that such a policy is unjust, unsustainable and not in Australia’s national interest. If a survey were to be conducted of Australian Greek citizens and Australian MPs I believe it would show that most of them would agree that every nation has a right to self-identification and that human rights, language and cultural heritage should be protected.
The recent protests in Greece were driven by deep seated anger against serious corruption, unemployment and manipulation of the people by the Greek establishment. Greek foreign policy on Macedonia is not a reflection of the wishes of decent Greek citizens. Most Greeks, like most decent Australians, understand that the Macedonian people like any other people deserve a fair go and the time for playing political games is over.
It is important to remember that Australia and Macedonia have many points of common interest and purpose such as contributing to regional and global security especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, collaborating on energy policy and climate change, pursuing a multi-lateralist agenda, trade and investment and educational and cultural exchange.
To advance the bi-lateral relationship requires courage, commitment and political good will on the part of the Rudd Government. Macedonia recently introduced visa free travel for Australian citizens and celebrated the creation of an Australia-Macedonia Inter-parliamentary Group. Both sides need to provide resources to operationalise the closer relationship.
Speaking at a seminar in May 2008 on Australia-EU Relations at the Contemporary Europe Research Centre at the University of Melbourne, Ambassador Penny Wensley, the then Europe Chief at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade noted that “pursuing a creative middle power diplomacy requires engagement with like minded countries in order to promote joint positions on a range of strategic, economic and social issues”.
For this to happen, there needs to be a suitable foreign policy setting backed up by fresh thinking and new leadership on Australia’s role in international affairs.
For its part, the Australian Macedonian community and its civil society organisations stand ready to facilitate collaboration and advancement of the bi-lateral relationship and to build close and friendly relations with all responsible and respectable stakeholders.
March elections key for Macedonia
When temperatures begin to rise this spring, political battles in Macedonia will also be heating up. The country will go to the polls on March 22nd to elect a new president, as well as mayors and municipal councils. The government announced the local and presidential election date on Saturday (January 10th).
"These elections are very crucial for us citizens," Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski said after the announcement. "According to the highest European standards, fair and democratic elections are of the highest importance for our further inclusion in the EU."
This round of voting will see a significant change in turnout requirements. In the past, at least 50% of the electorate had to turn up at the polls in order for the results to be valid. That figure has fallen to 40%.
Parliament agreed to the change on Friday. It also approved a requirement for candidates to submit a notarised statement to the Lustration Commission swearing that he or she never collaborated with the secret police of the former communist regime.
Political parties are, for the time being, keeping their candidate lists under wraps. Both the ruling VMRO-DPMNE and the main opposition SDSM have disclosed their mayoral candidates only in areas where they are confident of victory.
The VMRO-DPMNE says that in Bitola and Prilep, its mayoral candidates will be incumbents Marjan Risteski and Vladimir Talevski. The SDSM announced that its incumbent mayors in Strumica, Ohrid and Kumanovo -- Zoran Zaev, Aleksandar Petrevski and Zoran Damjanovski, respectively -- will be running again.
As for the presidential race, former Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski was the first to throw his hat into the ring. Boskovski spent more than three years in custody at The Hague in connection with a 2001 police raid on an ethnic Albanian village that left seven people dead. Prosecutors are appealing his acquittal by the UN court.
Topping the polls, however, is former Foreign Minister Srdjan Kerim. On Tuesday, the SDSM presented Kerim as a candidate who could command the support of both parties.
"We put forward a proposal to VMRO-DPMNE and the party's president, Nikola Gruevski, for the two largest parties in the country to stand behind a single nonpartisan candidate for the next head of state," SDSM leader Zoran Zaev said. We consider ... Kerim to be the most fitting person for such a post."
The election is crucial to Macedonia's chances of joining the EU. Brussels has made it clear that it wants to see honest and democratic elections, as opposed to last June's parliamentary vote, marred by violence and voter fraud. According to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, the government has adopted a plan for the March elections to prevent any possible incidents.
DUI nominates Agron Buxhaku for presidential elections
The ruling DUI will nominate Agron Buxhaku as the party's sole candidate at the elections for the next President of Macedonia.
DUI's leadership adopted this decision at the meeting Tuesday evening in the party's seat in Mala Recica.
The opposition DPA is also due to decide on whether to nominate its own candidate in the presidential elections slated for 22 March.
DUI's leadership adopted this decision at the meeting Tuesday evening in the party's seat in Mala Recica.
The opposition DPA is also due to decide on whether to nominate its own candidate in the presidential elections slated for 22 March.
Macedonian Ministry of Defense to be investigated over helicopter crash
A team of prosecutors will investigate whether the Ministry of Defense has responsibility for the cash of the military helicopter MI- 17, the Macedonian Vreme newspaper informs.
For the first time several prosecutors are investigating the reasons for the crash due to the specifics of the case.
The three commissions, which had prepared the report on the case, presented to the prosecutors’ office all documents connected to the crash, including classified.
Prosecutors’ office press center said they consider commissions’ reports and will decide whether there is a reason for punitive measure to be undertaken, the edition informs.
FOCUS News Agency reminds that 11 military officers were killed in a helicopter crash on January 12, 2008. The helicopter crashed in Katlanovo area near Skopje.
For the first time several prosecutors are investigating the reasons for the crash due to the specifics of the case.
The three commissions, which had prepared the report on the case, presented to the prosecutors’ office all documents connected to the crash, including classified.
Prosecutors’ office press center said they consider commissions’ reports and will decide whether there is a reason for punitive measure to be undertaken, the edition informs.
FOCUS News Agency reminds that 11 military officers were killed in a helicopter crash on January 12, 2008. The helicopter crashed in Katlanovo area near Skopje.
EU in new election warning to Macedonia
Macedonia’s EU integration process could be postponed if the next elections do not meet international standards, European Union officials have warned.
Presidential and local elections will be held on March 22 in Macedonia.
“If these elections do not completely fulfill international standards, I am afraid that it will be a great failure for the country and will postpone its EU integration,” the EU’s envoy to Macedonia Irvan Fuer said.
Macedonia applied for EU membership in 2004, but has not fulfilled all the necessary criteria for starting talks on EU association.
Fuer said that an unsuccessful election process would postpone the EU integration process until the next elections, which are due in 2012.
There was violence during last year’s parliamentary elections between rival Albanian parties. One person died and nine were injured in the clashes.
Fuer said that if the March elections went off without a hitch and if Skopje implemented all the necessary reforms, then the “European Commission will have enough of an argument to recommend (the opening of association talks).”
The EU will offer training for Macedonian police before the elections, and called on Macedonian leaders to maintain security and a positive atmosphere for voting.
Fuer said that the dispute between Skopje and Athens regarding Macedonia’s name “is a separate issue not related to reforms, and the Commission will be basing its report on reforms.”
He added that EU officials had told Skopje that the dispute with Greece must be resolved before EU association could continue.
Greece has threatened to block Macedonia’s integration process if no compromise is reached, while the EU has called for both sides to continue the UN-brokered negotiations.
Presidential and local elections will be held on March 22 in Macedonia.
“If these elections do not completely fulfill international standards, I am afraid that it will be a great failure for the country and will postpone its EU integration,” the EU’s envoy to Macedonia Irvan Fuer said.
Macedonia applied for EU membership in 2004, but has not fulfilled all the necessary criteria for starting talks on EU association.
Fuer said that an unsuccessful election process would postpone the EU integration process until the next elections, which are due in 2012.
There was violence during last year’s parliamentary elections between rival Albanian parties. One person died and nine were injured in the clashes.
Fuer said that if the March elections went off without a hitch and if Skopje implemented all the necessary reforms, then the “European Commission will have enough of an argument to recommend (the opening of association talks).”
The EU will offer training for Macedonian police before the elections, and called on Macedonian leaders to maintain security and a positive atmosphere for voting.
Fuer said that the dispute between Skopje and Athens regarding Macedonia’s name “is a separate issue not related to reforms, and the Commission will be basing its report on reforms.”
He added that EU officials had told Skopje that the dispute with Greece must be resolved before EU association could continue.
Greece has threatened to block Macedonia’s integration process if no compromise is reached, while the EU has called for both sides to continue the UN-brokered negotiations.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
resh Macedonia Name Talks Soon -Report
Matthew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the long running Athens-Skopje name row, plans to hold a meeting between the two sides before the end of January, Greek daily Kathimerini said on Thursday citing unnamed diplomats from Athens. The dispute dates from the early 1990s, after Macedonia broke away from socialist Yugoslavia.
Greece blockaded the new state saying the name Macedonia implicates territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name, eventually forcing Macedonia to change its flag and its constitution in order to end the embargo and sign an interim U.N. accord.
In November, Macedonia announced it is taking Greece to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, arguing that Athens broke that 1995 accord when it put the breaks on its NATO invitation last April.
Greece blockaded the new state saying the name Macedonia implicates territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name, eventually forcing Macedonia to change its flag and its constitution in order to end the embargo and sign an interim U.N. accord.
In November, Macedonia announced it is taking Greece to the International Court of Justice in The Hague, arguing that Athens broke that 1995 accord when it put the breaks on its NATO invitation last April.
Few expect a breakthrough in any upcoming talks. Media and analysts have said the talks are “clinically dead”, not only due to entrenched positions on either side but also because of more pressing internal preoccupations in both Skopje and Athens in the year to come.
Macedonia is holding presidential and local elections in March, while Greece is busy with its own political troubles after violent student demonstrations in December and an alleged terrorist attack on police earlier this month.
Moreover, the USA, the main political sponsor of the talks, is preoccupied with the change of administration, with Barack Obama due to formally take over the US presidency later in January.
Macedonian PM calls leader’s meeting over upcoming elections
Skopje. Macedonian Prime Minister and leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party, Nikola Gruevski, invited the chairpersons of the leading political parties in Macedonia to a meeting dedicated to the upcoming president and local elections, Makfax reports.
“The upcoming elections, as well as the development of the elections legislation and democratic practices during elections are highly important to the country and its European perspective”, states the invitation sent to the chairs of theo ther three leading political parties – Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, Democratic Union for Integration, Democratic Party of Albanians.
Leader’s meeting is scheduled for January 9.
“The upcoming elections, as well as the development of the elections legislation and democratic practices during elections are highly important to the country and its European perspective”, states the invitation sent to the chairs of theo ther three leading political parties – Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, Democratic Union for Integration, Democratic Party of Albanians.
Leader’s meeting is scheduled for January 9.
Popova Sapka
Popova Šapka (sometimes mentioned as Popova Sapka or Popova Shapka) is one of the most famous winter-recreational and ski resorts in Macedonia and the former Yugoslavia. It is located in Šar Planina (mountain). The resort is situated on 18 km from Tetovo and from the capital, Skopje is just 48 km away.Šar Planina itself, is characterized by the numerous natural beauties, large areas covered with grass, flower meadows and 43 peaks at the height over 2,500 meters, above the sea level. The most famous is Titov Vrv - with a height of 2,747 meters, is in the vicinity of Popova Šapka. The beauty of the mountain is enhanced by the several springs and mountain lakes: Livadičko Lake, Crno Lake, Belo Lake, and others. Šar Planina is also rich with woods, that end at 1,600 meters above the sea level. In some of the higher parts of the mountain, the snow remains even during the warmest summer months. The length of this impressive mountain massif extends 80 km, and in latitude - 12 km. The snow cover is from November to April. Popova Šapka is located at the height of 1,708 meters.
Popova Šapka is connected to the nearest city, Tetovo, by a cable railway and a asphalt road. In the immediate vicinity of the Dervish Monastery Arabati Baba Tekje, in Tetovo, is the start of a cable car lift going up to Popova Šapka. The lift is 7 km long and it takes less than 40 minutes to reach Popova Šapka. A good asphalt road, that is passing by the mountainous villages of Gajre, Šipkovica and Lisec, leads to the complex of hotels and ski slopes, which can be used during the whole year, even in the winter months, (except in very bad snow storms), because the road is always being cleaned from the snow cover. The ski slopes in Popova Šapka are first class. They are connected by chair and drag-lifts.
There are 6 ski-lifts: Teteks 1, Teteks 2, Aerodrom, Ge (Pionir), Jelak and one parallel to the Aerodrom ski-lift. Also there are 3 chairlifts: Ceripašina and one parallel with Teteks and Aerodrom ski-lifts. The third one is by the Ceripašina double chairlift, but it is out of order. The Teteks ski-lifts are single drag, while all the rest are double drag. The lowest ski-slope is at Teteks ski-lift 1,708 meters, while the highest is Ceripašina chairlift at 2,510 meters. Just above Ceripašina chairlift is situated the Popova Šapka meteorological station, near the border with Serbia (Kosovo), on an altitude of 2,525 meters above the sea level. Several years ago a monastery complex was built by the church dedicated to St. Naum. There is a hut at the Ge (Pionir) ski-lift where the visitors can buy some tea or other products.
Popova Šapka is connected to the nearest city, Tetovo, by a cable railway and a asphalt road. In the immediate vicinity of the Dervish Monastery Arabati Baba Tekje, in Tetovo, is the start of a cable car lift going up to Popova Šapka. The lift is 7 km long and it takes less than 40 minutes to reach Popova Šapka. A good asphalt road, that is passing by the mountainous villages of Gajre, Šipkovica and Lisec, leads to the complex of hotels and ski slopes, which can be used during the whole year, even in the winter months, (except in very bad snow storms), because the road is always being cleaned from the snow cover. The ski slopes in Popova Šapka are first class. They are connected by chair and drag-lifts.
There are 6 ski-lifts: Teteks 1, Teteks 2, Aerodrom, Ge (Pionir), Jelak and one parallel to the Aerodrom ski-lift. Also there are 3 chairlifts: Ceripašina and one parallel with Teteks and Aerodrom ski-lifts. The third one is by the Ceripašina double chairlift, but it is out of order. The Teteks ski-lifts are single drag, while all the rest are double drag. The lowest ski-slope is at Teteks ski-lift 1,708 meters, while the highest is Ceripašina chairlift at 2,510 meters. Just above Ceripašina chairlift is situated the Popova Šapka meteorological station, near the border with Serbia (Kosovo), on an altitude of 2,525 meters above the sea level. Several years ago a monastery complex was built by the church dedicated to St. Naum. There is a hut at the Ge (Pionir) ski-lift where the visitors can buy some tea or other products.
Macedonia has gas for less than one day
Macedonia is using its last natural gas reserves after Russian Gazprom cut the deliveries from Ukraine, through Bulgaria, to Macedonia, at 04:30 /local time”, Macedonian A1 television reports.
The country disposes of natural gas reserve, which will be enough for less than one day.
The gas crisis will affect more than 20 companies using natural gas. Those that lack alternative energy sources will be the most affected, the television remarks.
The country disposes of natural gas reserve, which will be enough for less than one day.
The gas crisis will affect more than 20 companies using natural gas. Those that lack alternative energy sources will be the most affected, the television remarks.
Gas supply to Macedonia halted
Natural gas shipment to Macedonia has been halted due to the dispute between Moscow and Kiev on gas price.
Russia state company Gazprom Tuesday morning halted the shipment to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Croatia and significantly reduced to Hungary, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic.
The transit of the Russian natural gas to the Balkans and Turkey has been halted Tuesday morning at 04:30h, Makpetrol told referring to the GA-MA operator’s press release.
As a result of this the gas shipment will be fully halted in 20 to 24 hours for the work of the consumers in Macedonia, Makpetrol told. The government, Regulatory Commission and natural gas consumers in the country are informed about the newly developed situation.
The largest gas distributor in Macedonia is “Toplifikacija.” Its manager Dimitar Hadzimisev confirmed that the situation of gas supply is serious and the company starting this evening will start using crude oil.
The halt to Russian gas supplies has no serious consequences to Macedonia, as the country generally does not use much gas, Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi stated for local media.
- We have official reports from Ukraine Naftogaz that gas shipment to Macedonia is halted due to misunderstandings with Gazprom Russia and it can have both economic and political implications. We consider that Macedonia uses small quantities of natural gas and the implications will also be small, Besimi said.
He said that industrial capacities and “Toplifikacija” for the time being could start using crude oil as alternative fuel.
- I consider that regular supply of gas should be established whereat in coordination with the colleagues from the region we would point out the economic implications and we call on respect on international conventions for energy transit projects, Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi said.
Russia state company Gazprom Tuesday morning halted the shipment to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Croatia and significantly reduced to Hungary, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic.
The transit of the Russian natural gas to the Balkans and Turkey has been halted Tuesday morning at 04:30h, Makpetrol told referring to the GA-MA operator’s press release.
As a result of this the gas shipment will be fully halted in 20 to 24 hours for the work of the consumers in Macedonia, Makpetrol told. The government, Regulatory Commission and natural gas consumers in the country are informed about the newly developed situation.
The largest gas distributor in Macedonia is “Toplifikacija.” Its manager Dimitar Hadzimisev confirmed that the situation of gas supply is serious and the company starting this evening will start using crude oil.
The halt to Russian gas supplies has no serious consequences to Macedonia, as the country generally does not use much gas, Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi stated for local media.
- We have official reports from Ukraine Naftogaz that gas shipment to Macedonia is halted due to misunderstandings with Gazprom Russia and it can have both economic and political implications. We consider that Macedonia uses small quantities of natural gas and the implications will also be small, Besimi said.
He said that industrial capacities and “Toplifikacija” for the time being could start using crude oil as alternative fuel.
- I consider that regular supply of gas should be established whereat in coordination with the colleagues from the region we would point out the economic implications and we call on respect on international conventions for energy transit projects, Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi said.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Macedonian judiciary plagued by backlogs: Council of Europe rights commissioner
Council of Europe (COE) Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg released his report on the status of human rights in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Friday, praising ongoing efforts by the FYROM government to improve human rights, but also highlighting shortfalls in the judiciary, law enforcement, and the penitentiary system. Hammarberg wrote:
The country’s judiciary was frequently described by both national and international stakeholders as weak and inefficient, with widespread perceptions of political influence and corruption...
A main problem remains the backlog of over one million cases. In 2007, the trend shifted. The improved implementation of the judicial reform strategy coupled with other measures tackling the inefficiency of the judiciary resulted in an increase of solved cases by 8% in the first half of 20079. The Minister of Justice informed the Commissioner that the backlog of cases has decreased. However, lengthy administrative and judicial proceedings remain a problem and constitute the bulk of cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The Government is addressing this problem with a series of legislative and organisational measures, such as the adoption of the Law on Civil Proceedings limiting the courts’ ‘investigative role’ in civil proceedings and the parties’ possibilities to delay the procedures. A (domestic) legal remedy against lengthy proceedings has been introduced...
These reforms are important steps to diminish political influence in the appointment of judges and to ensure an independent and efficient judicial system. However, public confidence in the judiciary remains very low. Several international organisations and NGOs have reported on widespread and repetitive postponements of hearings, low quality of judicial decisions and poor standard of court facilities without separate waiting rooms for witnesses and victims, and sometimes even resulting in in camera hearings because of lack of space. The Commissioner is of the opinion that more efforts need to be invested to enable effective follow through of the judicial reform process and to consolidate the improvements provided for in reform legislation. Such measures should include continuing legal education for legal professionals including judges and other legal court staff, as well as training on improving case management and handling. More resources need to be invested in court buildings and equipment.
The Commissioner also found that "police violence remains a problem," and recommended the creation of a more representative police force which would include more women and minorities.
Hammarberg's report reiterated his concern for the rights and status of the Roma ethnic minority across Europe. In July, he urged Italy to change policies which he said marginalize the Roma, and he described seeing harsh conditions in Roma camps and hearing accounts of police mistreating the Roma people. He said that in addition to the harm caused by the policies themselves, openly anti-Roma governmental statements reinforced existing xenophobic sentiment.
The country’s judiciary was frequently described by both national and international stakeholders as weak and inefficient, with widespread perceptions of political influence and corruption...
A main problem remains the backlog of over one million cases. In 2007, the trend shifted. The improved implementation of the judicial reform strategy coupled with other measures tackling the inefficiency of the judiciary resulted in an increase of solved cases by 8% in the first half of 20079. The Minister of Justice informed the Commissioner that the backlog of cases has decreased. However, lengthy administrative and judicial proceedings remain a problem and constitute the bulk of cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The Government is addressing this problem with a series of legislative and organisational measures, such as the adoption of the Law on Civil Proceedings limiting the courts’ ‘investigative role’ in civil proceedings and the parties’ possibilities to delay the procedures. A (domestic) legal remedy against lengthy proceedings has been introduced...
These reforms are important steps to diminish political influence in the appointment of judges and to ensure an independent and efficient judicial system. However, public confidence in the judiciary remains very low. Several international organisations and NGOs have reported on widespread and repetitive postponements of hearings, low quality of judicial decisions and poor standard of court facilities without separate waiting rooms for witnesses and victims, and sometimes even resulting in in camera hearings because of lack of space. The Commissioner is of the opinion that more efforts need to be invested to enable effective follow through of the judicial reform process and to consolidate the improvements provided for in reform legislation. Such measures should include continuing legal education for legal professionals including judges and other legal court staff, as well as training on improving case management and handling. More resources need to be invested in court buildings and equipment.
The Commissioner also found that "police violence remains a problem," and recommended the creation of a more representative police force which would include more women and minorities.
Hammarberg's report reiterated his concern for the rights and status of the Roma ethnic minority across Europe. In July, he urged Italy to change policies which he said marginalize the Roma, and he described seeing harsh conditions in Roma camps and hearing accounts of police mistreating the Roma people. He said that in addition to the harm caused by the policies themselves, openly anti-Roma governmental statements reinforced existing xenophobic sentiment.
War Crimes Trials Undermine Macedonia Coalition
The main Albanian party in Macedonia's government voiced anger with the announced trial procedures of ethnic Albanians accused of war crimes.
The Democratic Union of Albanians, DUI, wants the cases dropped. "We believe the cases should subside under the amnesty law, so there would be be no court proceedings," a party source was quoted as telling the local Spic daily.
"But we still lack guaranties [of this] from our coalition partner", the source added, referring to the main party in government, the centre-right VMRO DPMNE.
The cases concern senior party officials, including the DUI president, Ali Ahmeti, charged with committing war crimes during the armed conflict in 2001, which pitted Albanian guerrillas from the now disbanded National Liberation Army, NLA, against Macedonia’s security forces. Ahmeti at the time headed the NLA.
The source also accused VMRO DPMNE's head, the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, of mounting a "policy of isolation" towards the EU and NATO. The source complained that Gruevski's tough rhetoric in the unresolved "name" row between Athens and Skopje was diminishing the chances of a solution.
A quick resolution of the dispute is needed if the country wishes enter NATO and subsequently the EU. In April, Greece blocked Macedonia’s NATO bid, arguing that the use of the name Macedonia implied a territorial claim to the Greek northern province of the same name.
"If the country stays out of NATO and EU for a longer period, this could shake the coalition," the DUI source warned.
The formation of a VMRO DPMNE-DUI coalition after June general elections was heralded as a political breakthrough, because in 2001 VMRO DPMNE headed a government at war with the NLA.
The cases of the four men have been returned from The Hague war crimes tribunal, ICTY, to Macedonia's courts, and one of the trials is set to start later this month.
The Democratic Union of Albanians, DUI, wants the cases dropped. "We believe the cases should subside under the amnesty law, so there would be be no court proceedings," a party source was quoted as telling the local Spic daily.
"But we still lack guaranties [of this] from our coalition partner", the source added, referring to the main party in government, the centre-right VMRO DPMNE.
The cases concern senior party officials, including the DUI president, Ali Ahmeti, charged with committing war crimes during the armed conflict in 2001, which pitted Albanian guerrillas from the now disbanded National Liberation Army, NLA, against Macedonia’s security forces. Ahmeti at the time headed the NLA.
The source also accused VMRO DPMNE's head, the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, of mounting a "policy of isolation" towards the EU and NATO. The source complained that Gruevski's tough rhetoric in the unresolved "name" row between Athens and Skopje was diminishing the chances of a solution.
A quick resolution of the dispute is needed if the country wishes enter NATO and subsequently the EU. In April, Greece blocked Macedonia’s NATO bid, arguing that the use of the name Macedonia implied a territorial claim to the Greek northern province of the same name.
"If the country stays out of NATO and EU for a longer period, this could shake the coalition," the DUI source warned.
The formation of a VMRO DPMNE-DUI coalition after June general elections was heralded as a political breakthrough, because in 2001 VMRO DPMNE headed a government at war with the NLA.
Silvio Berlusconi: Macedonia is a destination for Italian business
Macedonia has been a destination for Italian business, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said in the frames of the traditional exhibition in Italian town of Bari at which Macedonia had been presented by Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Macedonian Kirilitsa newspaper reports. The most powerful business leaders from the European and Mediterranean region have attended the exhibition.
Macedonia President’s Popularity ‘Doubles’
The popularity of Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski has doubled in the past three months, an opinion poll by the local Institute for Democracy suggests.
In recent months Crvenkovski has announced his return as the head of the opposition Social Democrats and was increasingly present in public opposing the Government’s policy in the so-called “name” dispute with neighbouring Greece.
However, his ratings are still not enough to beat those of Macedonia’s Premier and ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party chief, Nikola Gruevski whose popularity has generally stayed high at 32 percent.
Next on the list is the head of the ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, Ali Ahmeti who got 10.6 percent of votes. This is much higher than the leader of the ethnic Albanian opposition, Menduh Thaci from the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, who got only 1.4 percent in support.
The leader of the main opposition party, Radmila Sekerinska from the Social Democrats also scored low at 0.3 percent, research shows.
More than one third said they do not have confidence in either politician.
As for party ratings, VMRO DPMNE secured support from 28 percent of those surveyed; the Social Democrats got slightly less than 10 percent while the DUI got 9 percent. The DPA got less than 3 percent.
13 percent said they would not vote while around one third of the surveyed said they are not sure.
Regarding the ongoing Athens-Skopje name row which is now Macedonia’s sole obstacle in joining NATO and could yet stall the country’s European Union accession, only 13.2 percent of the surveyed said they expect a quick resolution. 54 percent of people said were pessimistic about a swift deal.
32.6 percent gave no answer to this question.
The survey was conducted via telephone based on a representative sample of the population, the Institute said.
Asked which politicians they trust the most, 9.5 percent of those polled chose Crvenkovski in August. This is double from June when he got less then 5 percent.
In recent months Crvenkovski has announced his return as the head of the opposition Social Democrats and was increasingly present in public opposing the Government’s policy in the so-called “name” dispute with neighbouring Greece.
However, his ratings are still not enough to beat those of Macedonia’s Premier and ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE party chief, Nikola Gruevski whose popularity has generally stayed high at 32 percent.
Next on the list is the head of the ruling ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, Ali Ahmeti who got 10.6 percent of votes. This is much higher than the leader of the ethnic Albanian opposition, Menduh Thaci from the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, who got only 1.4 percent in support.
The leader of the main opposition party, Radmila Sekerinska from the Social Democrats also scored low at 0.3 percent, research shows.
More than one third said they do not have confidence in either politician.
As for party ratings, VMRO DPMNE secured support from 28 percent of those surveyed; the Social Democrats got slightly less than 10 percent while the DUI got 9 percent. The DPA got less than 3 percent.
13 percent said they would not vote while around one third of the surveyed said they are not sure.
Regarding the ongoing Athens-Skopje name row which is now Macedonia’s sole obstacle in joining NATO and could yet stall the country’s European Union accession, only 13.2 percent of the surveyed said they expect a quick resolution. 54 percent of people said were pessimistic about a swift deal.
32.6 percent gave no answer to this question.
The survey was conducted via telephone based on a representative sample of the population, the Institute said.
Macedonia should recognise same-sex couples says rights commissioner
The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has published a report into the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Macedonia.
Thomas Hammarberg said that the "atmosphere and attitude towards LGBT persons" in the former Yugoslav Republic has improved.
However, he concluded that certain persisting discriminatory attitudes exist at all levels, and legal safeguards are insufficient.
"Legal protections against discrimination remain particularly weak," he said.
"Currently, there are limited specific legal protection provisions available for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but not on the basis of gender identity.
"The Law on Military Service was amended and took out the prohibition for homosexuals to serve. Moreover, a recent amendment to the Law on Work Relations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a welcome positive legislative change albeit with a narrow scope of application."
Mr Hammarberg said that the lack of a law against homophobic and transphobic hate crimes should be considered, along with Constitutional protection on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"The Commissioner has been made aware of instances of apparent discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBT community by local authorities," the report stated.
"Education is the key to informing and developing a culture of tolerance and inclusiveness. Human rights education programmes should be developed and expanded for Governmental officials including police officers and judicial officials at all levels, and also for school-going students.
"There should be a possibility of legal recognition of same sex partnership."
Thomas Hammarberg was elected to the post of Commissioner for Human Rights in 2005 by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.
The 47-member Council predates the European Union.
It promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights.
Thomas Hammarberg said that the "atmosphere and attitude towards LGBT persons" in the former Yugoslav Republic has improved.
However, he concluded that certain persisting discriminatory attitudes exist at all levels, and legal safeguards are insufficient.
"Legal protections against discrimination remain particularly weak," he said.
"Currently, there are limited specific legal protection provisions available for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation but not on the basis of gender identity.
"The Law on Military Service was amended and took out the prohibition for homosexuals to serve. Moreover, a recent amendment to the Law on Work Relations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a welcome positive legislative change albeit with a narrow scope of application."
Mr Hammarberg said that the lack of a law against homophobic and transphobic hate crimes should be considered, along with Constitutional protection on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"The Commissioner has been made aware of instances of apparent discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBT community by local authorities," the report stated.
"Education is the key to informing and developing a culture of tolerance and inclusiveness. Human rights education programmes should be developed and expanded for Governmental officials including police officers and judicial officials at all levels, and also for school-going students.
"There should be a possibility of legal recognition of same sex partnership."
Thomas Hammarberg was elected to the post of Commissioner for Human Rights in 2005 by the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly.
The 47-member Council predates the European Union.
It promotes and protects democracy, educational and sporting co-operation and created the European Court of Human Rights.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Skopje, Athens to hold fresh round of talks
UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will conduct a fresh round of talks with representatives of Macedonia and Greece about the name issue.
In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.
On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.
President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.
"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.
He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.
"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.
In the course of two-day talks in New York, mediator Nimetz is expected to put forward a new proposal on Macedonia's name. The representatives of the two countries will convey Nimetz's proposal to their governments.
On Tuesday, President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held a coordination meeting over the issue.
President Crvenkovski said on Wednesday that mediator Nimetz is likely to table a new concrete proposal.
"I am not sure, but it's quite possible that mediator Nimetz presents a concrete proposal for settlement of the name dispute. In such case, we will assess the proposal and adjust the stands," Crvenkovski said.
He added that during the meeting with PM Gruevski they didn't discuss the double-name formula.
"We did not discuss about the double-name formula and I believe that reactivation of the double name in late stage of Macedonian-Greek talks would not encourage the talks but it could hinder them. Any obstruction of talks will do disservice to Macedonia," Crvenkovski said.
Police set to remove beggars from Skopje streets
Police started an organized action for curbing down the begging on the streets of Skopje, Makfax informed.
Ministry of Interior announced today that the action codenamed "Begging" will be carried out in continuity, . The operation was prepared and will be realized in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare through the Public Facility Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs - Skopje.
According to the plan of the action, underage delinquency inspectors along with inspectors for property-related crime will patrol with an unmarked vehicle at crossroads, buildings, shopping malls, bridges, i.e. locations where this phenomenon is most commonly present.
As many as 23 spots in the city were encompassed in the course of Wednesday, the first day of the action, majority of which were under jurisdiction of the police precinct "Centre". In addition, the action was carried out on a number of locations on the territories of police precincts Bit Pazar, Aerodrom, Karpos and Gjorce Petrov.
The Police detained 11 adults and 13 minors, whose parents will receive warnings and reports in line with the Law on Public Order and Peace, and adequate measures for taking care of children-beggars will be taken in cooperation with the Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs.
Ministry of Interior announced today that the action codenamed "Begging" will be carried out in continuity, . The operation was prepared and will be realized in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare through the Public Facility Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs - Skopje.
According to the plan of the action, underage delinquency inspectors along with inspectors for property-related crime will patrol with an unmarked vehicle at crossroads, buildings, shopping malls, bridges, i.e. locations where this phenomenon is most commonly present.
As many as 23 spots in the city were encompassed in the course of Wednesday, the first day of the action, majority of which were under jurisdiction of the police precinct "Centre". In addition, the action was carried out on a number of locations on the territories of police precincts Bit Pazar, Aerodrom, Karpos and Gjorce Petrov.
The Police detained 11 adults and 13 minors, whose parents will receive warnings and reports in line with the Law on Public Order and Peace, and adequate measures for taking care of children-beggars will be taken in cooperation with the Inter-Municipal Center for Social Affairs.
Vipro to invest EUR 750 in a new plant
Food processing company Vipro, based in Gevgelija, will invest EUR 750,000 in expanding production capacities. Vipro will obtain this money as a loan from Greek EU pre-accession fund.
The company will build a new production facility with the floor space of 4,000 square meters and 50,000 square meters of surroundings.
This will provide for 10 million new production units, instead of the present 2 million, thus increasing the production capacity five-fold.
The company will build a new production facility with the floor space of 4,000 square meters and 50,000 square meters of surroundings.
This will provide for 10 million new production units, instead of the present 2 million, thus increasing the production capacity five-fold.
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