Macedonia Daily.org: February 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

PROTESTS AT PELLA SQUARE

National.

Eight policemen have been lightly injured, while one was seriously wounded during the incidents that occurred late Wednesday following the peaceful civil protest at "Pela" square, when hundreds of protesters marched towards the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

- Following the peaceful protest, where 10,000 citizens gathered to send a message against the change of Macedonia's constitutional name, hundreds of protesters proceeded towards the Greek Liaison Office where they disturbed the public order and peace by throwing rocks and bottles. Therefore, the special police forces "Alfa" arrested eight people under the suspicion of obstructing policemen in doing their duties, reads the press release.

They have been detained, whereas activities for clarifying the case are underway.

MD: Besides these small incidents, the protest was great! Big attendancy, great atmosphere and the Macedonians have shown their thoughts clearly to the rest of the world and to Greece.

[Mia]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:18 am | Permalink | Comments

LIMITED SALE OF ALCOHOL

National.

Alcoholic drinks in Macedonia in the future will be sold only in licensed stores and in the period between 06-19 hours.

As explained by Government spokesman Ivica Bocevski, liquor will be sold only by registered sellers in retail buildings, with license granted for that purpose, which will cost 5.000 Denars for five years' time.

At the same time, sale of alcoholic drinks on gas stations, grocery markets and newspaper booths is prohibited.

These restrictions on selling alcoholic drinks pertain to stores and super-markets, and serving drinks in restaurants and bars remains under the regular regime, Bocevski explained.

He pointed out that every merchant that wishes to sell alcohol will have to obtain license, which will be issued by the Ministry of Economy.

This law is expected to prevent abuse of the alcohol sale, which we saw in the recent period, but also to influence youth to go visit theatres instead of buying beer in the evening hours, Bocevski said.

The law will enter into force after the voting in the Parliament.

MD: We don't really think this measure is going to get the youth in the theatres, on the contrary :)

[Makfax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, February 28, 2008

APPLAUSE FOR SIMON TRPCESKI IN TETOVO

Culture.

A concert in Tetovo on Tuesday closed the second cycle of concerts of the Macedonian piano virtuoso Simon Trpceski through several cities in Macedonia. Trpceski’s managers said he was coming to Tetovo from a concert and was immediately leaving for concerts in London and Amsterdam.

“I have been accepted with hospitality everywhere in world centres. However, the feeling to perform at home, to your own people makes an artist even happier. I am especially happy to play in the town of the great music figure Todor Skalovski,” Trpceski said to journalists. The ambiance during the concert was more than desirable – dead silence during the performance and frantic applause for extraordinary, unrepeatable experience and ovations by the audience.

In Tetovo, Trpceski performed pieces by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Prokopiev, Grieg and Lekovski. "Shota” and “Oj devojce tetovsko jabolce” (Albanian and Macedonian original folk songs respectively) were also a part of his repertoire.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 10:35 pm | Permalink | Comments

TALKS ON THE NAME TO CONTINUE ON FRIDAY

National.

The talks between Macedonia and Greece on the differences about the country's name are set to continue in New York on Friday, the UN announced.

The UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz will continue the talks with the representatives of the two countries, UN spokesperson Michele Montas said.

At the meeting, Macedonia and Greece are to disclose their answers to the latest proposal for solving the issue of differences about the name.

The leaders of the two countries have already defined the positions, but they are kept secret.

Macedonia and Greece officially confirmed just that they are prepared to continue the talks.

MD: Also NATO secretary general, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that the name issue is not a precondition for NATO entry, but should be solved before the next summit in April.

[Makfax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIA URGES FOR QUICK BORDER DEMARCATION

National.

Macedonia urged today for quick start of the process of demarcation of the northern border in the part towards Kosovo.

"A request has been sent to the competent institutions of Kosovo for establishing a joint panel tasked to carry out demarcation of the shared borderline," government's spokesman Ivica Bocevski said in a written statement.

The statement further says that the joint panel should work on demarcation of the border "in line with the 2001 International Agreement and within the deadlines set in the Martti Ahtisaari's plan."

MD: Macedonia was hoping to settle this issue before Kosovo declaring independence by talking with the Serbian authorities, but over the years it has lead to nothing.

[Makfax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

VINICA TO BE MADE TOURIST ATTRACTION

Culture.

Effort will be made this year to make a tourist attraction of Vinica. The Vinica Fortress (Vinicko Kale) site, which has given the famous terra cotta icons of Vinica, has been allotted 10 million denars for archaeological excavations and conservation of the walls for this year. Archaeologists led by Cone Krstevski will start field work in March.

This year, a museum of terra cotta icons will most likely be established in Vinica. Director of the Directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage Pasko Kuzman says they will insist on returning the terra cotta icons from the Museum of Macedonia, where they are currently housed, to where they originate from.

Dating from the 6th and 7th centuries, Vinica terra cotta icons were made in a workshop that was a part of the Kale Town Compound, a fact that was confirmed by analysis of clay earth in the immediate vicinity. More than 15 scenes and about 50 intact and 100 fragments of terra cotta icons have been found so far.

Vinica Fortress, to the southwest of the modern town of Vinica, was continually populated and was dominating on one of the most important routes since the Roman and Byzantine eras. As a site, it was first recorded in the Macedonian archaeology in 1953.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 11:58 pm | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

NEW ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE DISCOVERED IN OHRID

Culture.

A valuable archeological site was found in the old area of Ohrid, near the St. Sofia church, during building of a house in this part of the town.

According to the director of the Cultural Heritage Protection Pasko Kuzman, it is an early Christian basilica from 4 or 5 century with a well-preserved mosaic. He added that the basilica most probably is a part of an Episcopal court that the archeologists expected to find at the Plaoshnik site.

The experts of the Cultural Heritage Protection institution and the Museum performed research and the construction works were halted, and, as announced by the institution, the site of the finding will be expropriated.

According to Kuzman, Ohrid's old part, and especially the locality known as Mancevci, hides enormous cultural and historical heritage that is yet to be discovered.

MD: Nice! Everyday something new is being discovered in the rich Macedonian soil, especially in the Ohrid region. Who knows what else is lying beneath. Too bad for the owner of the new house though, he is probably not able to finish his house soon!

[Makfax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

PRESTON LIONS UNLUCKY AS NEW SEASONS BEGINS

Sports.

Macedonian Australian football club and reigning Victoria Premier league (Foxtel Cup) champions, Preston Lions started the new season with a 1-5 loss against Richmond in round one of the Foxtel Cup. This week the Lions took on the Whittlesea Zebra's in round 2 of the Foxtel Cup which ended in a 1-1 draw.

A large proportion of the game Preston dominated the game and were playing attractive football. However the forwards struggled to capitalize on the many chances that were presented to them. Even though Preston dominated the game, in the 62 minute, Preston conceded a goal through a defensive error. From then on Preston began to play poorly and were lucky not to conceded 1 more goal. However, after a hopeful long ball, Preston scored a consolation goal in the 88 minute.

MD: Too bad, but the season has just started, many chances to improve, and we are sure the lions will, they are the champions and the best team of the Foxtel cup after all!

[MD Network]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

FOREST FIRE ON SKOPSKA CRNA GORA

National.

A forest fire broke out Monday morning on higher slopes of the Skopska Crna Gora mountain.

The Firefighting Force confirmed to Makfax agency that they already sent a crew to contain the blazes.

There was no immediate word if the fire was caused by a human factor.

[Makfax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Monday, February 25, 2008

MANCHEVSKI'S "SHADOWS" SOLD TO GREECE

Culture.

"Seven Group" - the largest media company in Greece - has bought "Shadows" - work of art of Macedonian eminent director Milco Mancevski, world's distributor Bavaria Film International announced.

"Shadows" arrives in Greece amid fierce anti-Macedonia campaign for changing of the country's constitutional name and threats for vetoing its accession to NATO.

It is slightly strange that Greece has bought "Shadows", which captures the exodus of Macedonians from Aegean Macedonia, representatives of Senka Film say.

At the Festival in Berlin, "Shadows" was also sold to Russia and Mexico.

The movie's festival tour resumes next weekend. It will be presented at Belgrade FEST, in Sofia, Istanbul, Guadalahara, Copenhagen, Singapore and Brussels.

MD: Yeah, that's really strange, maybe they do it to highlight it as "Slav propaganda"? Anyway, the movie is great, a must see!

[Mia]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

TAMARA, VRCAK AND ADRIAN TO EUROVISION IN BELGRADE

Culture.

Tamara, Vrcak, Adrian with their song "In the Name of Love" will represent Macedonia at the Eurovison Song Contest 2008 that will take place in Belgrade o May 22-24.

The winner of Macedonia's Eurosong competition, being held late Saturday at the Metropolis Arena in Skopje, was chosen by the votes of the audience and jury.

At the main event in Belgrade, Macedonia will perform on May 22 - the second semi-final manifestation.

At the Eurosong Contests so far Macedonia has been represented by Vlado Janevski, XXL Band, Karolina Goceva, Tose Proeski, Martin Vucic and Elena Ristevska.

MD: Personally, we don't like this song, the quality of Macedonia's representative for the Eurovision is getting worse every year. See it for yourself below...

[Mia]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

LEADERS COORDINATE POSITION ON NIMITZ PROPOSAL

National.

Macedonia’s position has been coordinated and will be presented to mediator Matthew Nimitz at the next meeting, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said Sunday after a meeting of state, political leadership.

Macedonia will keep participating in the negotiation process, Milososki said, adding that he cannot announce the details before they are presented to Nimetz.

I believe we have strong 'for' and 'against' arguments that will set basis for further discussions within this process, Milososki said.

Today's three-hour meeting, initiated by Prime Nikola Gruevski, was held behind closed doors. Also present were President Branko Crvenkovski, leaders of SDSM - Radmila Sekerinska, DPA - Menduh Tachi, and Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki.

During the meeting, DUI leader Ali Ahmeti was replaced by party Vice-President Xhevad Ademi, as he left for Tirana to attend a debate on Kosovo.

Today’s meeting was covered by a great number of local journalists, accompanied by crews of several Greek electronic media.

State officials and party leaders already had a meeting on Nimitz's proposal last Wednesday.

[Mia]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, February 23, 2008

NO CONCESSIONS ON THE NAME

National.

Macedonia is faced with "difficult and complicated" negotiations with Greece in which it must defend its constitutional name.

This is the general position of the leaders of smaller parliamentary parties that are meeting with state leaders late Friday.

The meeting is part of the consultations to agree upon the position before the new round of talks with Greece, after the proposal of negotiator Matthew Nimetz.

At the meeting initiated by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and attended by President Branko Crvenkovski the party leaders pledged to reach unified position for the negotiations.

"We should animate all creative forces in the country to build unified position, said NSDP leader Tito Petkovski.

He pointed out that "it would be very bad" for Macedonia if it fails to enter NATO because of Greece's threats for veto.

"In the negotiations with Greece, Macedonia must preserve its constitutional name and its national identity", said Roza Topuzovska Karevska of LDP.

DOM leader Liljana Popovska said that Macedonia made many mistakes in diplomatic steps and that the country leads too defensive policy.

"Macedonian minority in Greece has no rights, property issues with refugees from Greece are not solved, and Macedonia suffered large damages of billions of dollars due to Greek embargo. If we deliver these demands, we will have completely different situation at the negotiating table", Popovska said.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

SEE NETWORK APPEALS FOR LARGER PROTECTION OF REGIONAL HERITAGE

Culture.

SEE Heritage Network has sent an urgent appeal to local and central authorities in Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro for protection of cultural and natural heritage in the region.

The transition process in this region causes an uncontrollable urban and rural development, especially through inadequate spatial planning, giving the town of Ohrid as an example. The Network also remarks on the lack of protective mechanisms or their adequate application for protection of cultural and natural heritage, mentioning the Old Skopje Bazaar among others.

Moreover, as a result of negligence, natural wealth and cultural landscapes of Ohrid Lake is endangered, says the Network.
SEE Heritage Network, which is comprised of about ten civic associations from regional countries, asks for full application of the principles for cultural heritage protection in the processes of planning and development, larger participation of experts, more active inclusion of local communities, as well as participation of the public in the decision-making processes.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA SCRAP VISA REGIME

National.

Albania and Macedonia signed an agreement this week in Tirana, which establishes a visa-free regime between the two countries.

The agreement signed by Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha and his Macedonian counterpart, Antonio Milososki, was made public at a joint press conference given by Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Macedonia Premier Nikola Gruevski.

"This agreement on the liberalization of visas will help business and citizens to move more freely,” Gruevski told reporters.

Berisha stressed that the two leaders had made progress on an amicable basis and had been able to leave behind the nationalist rhetoric that characterizes some media coverage of bilateral issues.

Under the agreement, citizens of both countries can reside in the neighboring country for 90 days visa free, within a timeframe of six months.

MD: Especially people in the border towns will be delighted. About a month ago Macedonia introduced a new visa regime, by sending Albanians to the Macedonian embassy in Tirana for issueing visa's. That lead to protests by mayors of Ohrid and Struga stating that it would damage the regional economy.

[Balkaninsight]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

Friday, February 22, 2008

MORE TIME FOR CONSULTATIONS NEEDED

National.

After a four-hour reviewing of the latest Matthew Nimetz's proposal, the Macedonian top officials and party leaders decided to convene for a new meeting on Sunday.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki announced this Thursday night, adding that the participants asked for more time for additional consultations.

Previously, President Branko Crvenkovski said that the latest proposal was the worst ever that Nimetz came forward with.

PM Nikola Gruevski said that Macedonia's wish to join NATO is very strong, but that the name cannot be sacrificed to achieve that goal.

Ahead of today's meeting, the leader of the opposition SDSM, Radmila Sekerinska, accused PM Gruevski of being hypocritical. According to her, he publicly rejected any change of the country's name, but on the other hand, he expressed readiness to accept solutions like Democratic Republic of Macedonia or Independent Republic of Macedonia.

The state leadership shares the position that this decision can only be made at a referendum, which would be set up in case Greece accepts any of these solutions.

In the meantime, the Greek daily Naftemporiki cited in its electronic edition the Greek foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos as saying that Greece had already prepared the response on the Nimetz's latest proposal.

According to Koumoutsakos, the Greek negotiator Adamantios Vassilakis was tasked to get in touch with Nimetz to inform him that after scrutinizing the proposal, the Greek government made a decision as to which elements are unacceptable for them, which ones are negotiable and what changes should be introduced.

Naftemporiki did not specify the proposals that are acceptable for Greece.

MD: And the battle continues...

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIA MEETS NATO MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

National.

The Pentagon believes that Macedonia, Albania and Croatia meet the criteria for NATO membership and will support their bids at the Alliance's summit in Bucharest, a senior US official said.

"As regards NATO enlargement, the Pentagon believes that military criteria are certainly met. Six weeks before the summit in Bucharest, we will ...to ensure that these three countries become members of the Alliance," said Daniel Fata, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the press conference after the meeting with defense ministers of the Adriatic Group (A3).

Nonetheless, Fata made clear that the United States would have only one out of 26 votes in Bucharest, so the three countries still had a lot to do to make the final effort towards the allied from the NATO in order to secure a positive outcome of the summit.

All the countries made studding progress in modernizing their ministries and armed forces, said Fata, adding that the US highly regarded the involvement if the three countries in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Fata expressed hope that name difference between Macedonia and Greece will be bridged in the current round of talks under the UN auspices.

MD: Will this finally mean the entrance of Macedonia into NATO?....

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

ART AGAINST SCHENGEN BARRIERS

Culture.

Suitcases having the EU flag and passports with Schengen visas marked Wednesday the press conference of the Macedonian Artists’ Association (DLUM), announcing the opening of the 12th Winter Gallery on topic “Schengen – An Indecent Proposal”.
The Winter Gallery will be launched in multimedia center “Mala Stanica” on Friday evening at 20,00h.

Attendants will be given passports for the EU, along with presentation of most prestigious Grand Prix award, whereas the National Gallery will present an award to a laureate, who will get the opportunity to organize a display in 2009.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, February 21, 2008

'DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA' ACCEPTABLE OPTION?

National.

Democratic Republic of Macedonia and Independent Republic of Macedonia are the acceptable solutions, which are included in the package of the latest proposal of the mediator Matthew Nimetz, Skopje's TV Station A1 cited Wednesday afternoon unnamed sources of the Macedonian government as saying.

The contents of the mediator Nimetz's proposal remains a secret, nonetheless, the Greek media said that Nimetz came forward with as much as five options on the possible name of Macedonia.

The name issue will be the focus of Today's meeting of leaders of the country's four largest parties.

Asked by a reporter whether a referendum is a possible option, Gruevski said his personal stance is that the people should have the final say on the issue.

"It's up to citizens, not the politicians, to make the final decisions. I believe that politicians are not entitled to make decisions on Macedonia's name," Gruevski said.

MD: Acceptable? No! Better? Yes, certainly better than the ridiculous proposals before, but Macedonia should not move a step in this issue.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

VISA LIBERALISATION DIALOGUE WITH EU

National.

European Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Vice-Premier Gabriela Konevska-Trajkovska and the Interior Minister of the Union's Presidency holder Slovenia, Dragutin Mate welcomed Wednesday in Skopje an official start of EU-Macedonia dialogue on free visa regime.

Gruevski expressed hope for the dialogue to be completed soon and thus the free visa regime to be set into force early next year. Macedonia has proven to be a loyal, credible partner by its achievements so far, Gruevski said. The visa liberalization and launching of the EU entry talks are issues of vital importance for Macedonia and its citizens in terms of guaranteeing the right of free movement, Gruevski added.

In regard to visa liberalization, Gruevski said that Macedonia had already introduced new biometric passport, identity card and integrated border management system, harmonized the national visa-migration regulations with the Union's legislation, which also refers to combating human trafficking and organized crime.

The dialogue's duration will depend on Macedonia's progress, Frattini said, encouraging the country to keep its pace. Macedonian Government has been working a lot and if it keep the pace, its ambitious plan for free visa regime will turn into reality by the yearend. Macedonia is part of the EU and should become its full-fledged member as soon as possible, Mate said, adding that the visa liberalization is a giant step to realizing the objective.

After the inauguration of National Visa Centre, FM Milososki said it would be fully operational by the year end.

Asked if Greece is obliged to respect the EU policy in terms of visa liberalization, Frattini said that visa issues were in charge of the European Commission, not part of inter-governments' arrangements.

Greece's Government has had no objections to launching the visa facilitation, and now the visa liberalization talks, Frattini said.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

BITOLA - NEW CITY OF CULTURE

Culture.

According to “Dnevnik” sources, Bitola will be the new carrier of manifestation “City of Culture”, taking over from Prilep, which marked 2007 with about 120 events.

The Ministry of Culture has reviewed all applications and is scheduled to officially announce the city with most cultural events in 2008 in the next few days.

Evgenija Bektes-Josifovska of the culture sector within the city administration believes that Bitola deserves to be the cultural capital, because cultural events are held almost on a daily basis in the city institutions.

“We host many international festivals, concerts of different music are held every day, there is a successful theatre in the city, as well as the international cinematographers film festival ‘Manaki Brothers’, festival of classical music ‘Interfest’, children’s festival ‘Small Bitola Monmartre’, festival of amateur films ‘Camera 300’ etc”, said Bektes-Josifovska.

Radovis and Kicevo also sent their applications for the manifestation, which idea is to create conditions for access to cultural values and their wider use, as well as revival of culture at a local level.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

HEAVY PROTEST IN FRONT OF GREEK EMBASSY

National.

A group of about 1000 demonstrators in the capital Skopje, protested against the Macedonian - Greek name issue yesterday. The protest started at the Macedonia square but the mass was soon heading in front of the Greek embassy in Skopje, demonstrating against the Greek position in the issue.

The big crowd started to throw rocks at the embassy building which lead to clashes with the police. They strengthened the security in front of the embassy and the crowd was moved away from the embassy.

Afterwards the crowd returned to the Macedonia square where they protested with songs and dances. No serious accidents happened.

The motto of the protest was "We don't give up our name" and was organised by the "Mladite znaat" organisation. The organisation has stated that they condemn every form of violence. They said that violence is not in the interest of the national interests and patriotic feelings should be expressed in a respectful way.

[Ohridnews.com]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

NIMETZ WITH FINAL NAME PROPOSAL

National.

UN special envoy regarding the Greek-Macedonian name negotiations, Matthew Nimetz presented Tuesday in Athens his latest proposal aimed at overcoming the 17-year dispute over the use of Macedonia's constitutional name.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the US diplomat stressed that his proposal "doesn't fully comply with the positions of any party". "Overall, I believe it is a fair and dignified proposal, said Nimetz, adding that he expected the responses from Athens and Skopje in terms of the proposal in the upcoming couple of weeks."

Both officials from Athens and Skopje Adamantios Vassilakis and Nikola Dimitrov, after the meeting, stopped short of giving details about the latest and, according to announcements, final proposal by the mediator. In recent days, media both in Macedonia and Greece speculated on possible versions, which have not been formally confirmed neither in New York and Washington as well as in Skopje and Athens.

Macedonia's state leadership is united on its approach to the name dispute, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said ahead of Tuesday's talks. - I would like to point out that Macedonia's goal is to keep nourishing friendly relations with Greece, to join NATO and preserve its national interests, Milososki said yesterday.

Tuesday's meeting of the negotiating troika took place several days following last week's separate talks in Washington between Macedonian, Greek foreign ministers and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who urged both sides to use the process conducted by Nimetz for final closing of the issue.

The official position represented by Macedonia for a longer period of time within the name dispute talks is the so called double formula - one name which will be determined for bilateral communication with Greece and the constitutional name for the rest of the world.

Greek governmental officials in the previous months on several occasion stated that Greece as a solution to the problem might accept a complex name containing the word Macedonia, which should be also used for international, not only bilateral communication. Official Athens in the "messages" sent to Skopje threatened to block Macedonia's NATO accession.

For nearly 17 years, Greece has denied Macedonia's right to use its constitutional name, saying that it could imply territorial aspirations to the Greek province with the same name. Due to the objections and pressures from Athens, the accession of the Republic of Macedonia in UN on April 8 1993 was done under the temporary reference "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".

So far, Macedonia has established diplomatic ties with more than 160 countries. A total of 120 countries have already recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name, including three permanent members of the UN Security Council - USA, Russia and China.

MD: We are all awaiting the exact final proposal, but we don't think it will be accepted and why should we accept it? Macedonia has a name, and that's it. 120 countries recognized Macedonia by it's name, that says enough. Greece should rest their case.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

RECOGNITION BASED ON STATE INTERESTS

National.

As regards the recognition of Kosovo independence, Macedonia will take into account the national interests and the consultations with the US and the EU, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said.

The remarks were made at today's joint press conference with Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Gruevski stressed that Macedonia has developed excellent relationship with the Kosovo's government.

Gruevski and Berisha praised Skopje-Tirana relations, adding that both countries are ready to press ahead with realization of joint projects.

The two prime ministers rolled out plans for construction of Skopje-Tirana railway, construction of Corridor 8 and the participation in AMBO projects.

Gruevski and Berisha announced opening of a new border crossing Dzepiste-Trebiste near Debar.

MD: Macedonia is obviously following the footsteps of the EU and the US, even if we don't agree with it, Macedonia depends on them.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Monday, February 18, 2008

KOSOVO DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Regional.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Sunday, ending a long chapter in the breakup of former Yugoslavia. The proclamation was made by leaders of the breakaway province's 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority, including former guerrillas who fought for independence in a 1998-99 war which claimed about 10,000 civilian lives.

"We, the leaders of our people, democratically elected, through this declaration proclaim Kosovo an independent and sovereign state," said the text read out in Parliament by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. Kosovo will be a "society that respects human dignity" and is committed to confronting the "painful legacy of the recent past, in a spirit of reconciliation and forgiveness."

All 109 deputies present at the session in the capital, Pristina, voted in favor with a show of hands. Eleven deputies from ethnic minorities, including Serbs, were absent.

It will be the world's 193rd independent country but Serbia says it will never win a seat at the United Nations. Serbs in the north of Kosovo will reject independence, cementing an ethnic partition that will weigh on the new state for years to come. Fewer than half of Kosovo's 120,000 remaining Serbs live in the north, while the rest are in scattered enclaves protected by NATO peacekeepers. The United States and most EU members are expected to quickly recognize Kosovo, despite failing to win United Nations Security Council approval -- blocked by Russia last year.

The EU will also send a supervisory mission to take over from the current UN authorities.

MD: So far no serious incidents occured since the declaration of Kosovo's independence, but we'll see how it will be in the upcoming days/weeks. Many are afraid that this will lead to new tensions in the region, the creation of a Greater Albania and giving other regions courage to declare independency, like Abkhazia and Chechnya.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

DUI CALLS UPON MACEDONIA TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO

National.

The MPs from the opposition Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) "are calling and inviting the Macedonian state leadership to recognize Kosovo's independence," says DUI's press release, issued Sunday afternoon, immediately after declaration of Kosovo's independence.

DUI addressed the call for recognition of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state to the President Branko Crvenkovski, Parliament Speaker Ljubisa Georgievski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

"We strongly believe that in this historic moment, we will be capable of making courageous and just decisions, because Macedonia now has a neighboring country with identical orientation, a good neighbor, friend and a strategic partner in our shared Euro-Atlantic commitments," says the request sent by DUI's deputies.

A large number of DUI's members of and supporters celebrated in Skopje the proclamation of independence of Kosovo by singing songs and firing gunshots in the air.

MD: Allthough some Albanian leaders in Macedonia called upon the Albanian minority in Macedonia to celebrate quiet at home, many Albanians went out on the streets celebratin in Struga, Debar, Tetovo and of course Skopje. Macedonia will most likely follow the footsteps of the EU when it comes to recognizing Kosovo.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

STORY ABOUT TITOV VELES THRILLS BERLIN AUDIENCE

Culture.

The big cinema hall of “Cinemax” in Berlin was crowded Wednesday evening with film lovers, journalists, critics, festival jury members, who came to see the Macedonian representative at the Berlin Film Festival, Teona Strugar Mitevska’s “I am from Titov Veles”.

The film, shown within program “Panorama”, thrilled the audience. The feeling that Mitevska’s achievement is exceptional was unanimous.

Magazines, program, catalogues and all other representative materials presented the film as “an artwork coming from the Republic of Macedonia”.

Following the Berlin screening, “I am from Titov Veles” will be projected at the Belgrade festival by the end of February, followed by its tour at the Sofia Film Festival.

The Macedonian premiere is scheduled for February 28 in Skopje cinema “Millennium”.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, February 16, 2008

GRUEVSKI - THACI MEETING

National.

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski held an informal meeting with Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, who arrived in Skopje for a fleeting visit early on Friday.

Macedonian Government's press service said the informal meeting of Gruevski and Thaci focused on the demarcation of Macedonia's northern border with Kosovo.

There were no other details in the poor-worded statement released by the Government. The meeting took place before the imminent declaration of independence by Kosovo, slated for this weekend. The statement mentioned nothing about the venue of Gruevski-Thaci meeting.

The brief statement just said "the interlocutors have reaffirmed their stands in terms of supporting the Ahtisaari's plan."

MD: Kosovo will most likely declare independence tomorrow, will there be any escalations? Let's hope not, that would mean again a big dark cloud above this region of Europe. Macedonia will recognize the independence of Kosovo, they will follow the steps of what the EU would do. Also Thaci said that the border issue will be solved through direct talks with the Kosovo government.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:18 am | Permalink | Comments

'NEW REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA' ?!

National.

The US has proposed that Greece and Macedonia settled on the name "New Republic of Macedonia", Greek daily Kathimerini said on Friday, citing unnamed diplomats. The same sources say the proposal was put on table during the talks that Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis had with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in Washington yesterday.

State Department spokesman Shon McCormack, on the other hand, made clear Thursday that the US made no suggestion on the name. Briefing on Secretary Rice's meeting with Bakoyannis and the meeting with Macedonian foreign minister Milososki, the State Department's spokesman said Secretary Rice did not offer any list of name proposals.

Kathimerini daily, however, says Washington has proposed that the name New Republic of Macedonia be used by Skopje in all its dealings with the international organizations. Athens could then, theoretically, press for the name to be used in Macedonia's bilateral relations with its neighbors.

Greece is insisting that any composite name for the Balkan country should be used in its bilateral relations and Bakoyannis took the opportunity to pile pressure on the US that it would have to follow suit as well, Kathimerini said. Athens is likely to make the same demands to its EU allies as well as to members of the UN Security Council.

Washington's proposal is likely to set the basis of discussions between Bakoyannis and UN mediator Matthew Nimitz, who is due in Athens on Monday, as a diplomatic pressure grows for solution to be found to the name spat, Kathimerini daily said. Citing unnamed diplomats, Greek daily Eleftheros Typos said the UN Secretary General's Special Representative Nimitz will present a new proposal both to Athens and Skopje next week.

The same sources say Rice had told Bakoyannis that Washington remains fully committed to ensure that Macedonia, Albania and Croatia be invited to NATO membership.

Rice added there's still time to reach a mutually agreeable solution until NATO summit in Bucharest in April.

MD: New republic of Macedonia? ridiculous!

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

FILM CITY IN SKOPJE

Culture.

U.S. company Eastman Kodak and Macedonia’s Digital Media signed Thursday an agreement for construction of a modern film laboratory within the Digital Media Park in Skopje settlement Aerodrom.

Peter Boyce, Business Manager for Kodak Central and Eastern Europe, Kristijan Danilovski, president of Digital Media, and Vladimir Krstevski, manager of Slovenia’s Svet Filma, which is Kodak’s regional representative signed the agreement. The investment is worth about Euro 3 million in negative processing machines (developing, cleaning and copying) and modern telecinema system encompassing almost all laboratory and digital transfer formats and services through a guaranteed Kodak Image Care certificate.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski attended the signing ceremony.
“The investment will help solve problems related to producing films in Macedonia, mitigating the work of Macedonia’s production companies, attracting foreign production companies to work in the country, and affirming Macedonia as a desirable destination for the film industry”, said PM Gruevski.

According to him, investing in this joint project is an investment in the future of Macedonia and confirmation of Macedonian culture, identity and tradition in the era of digital technologies and globalization.

Through this investment, 35mm film roles can be developed, scanned and telecined in Macedonia. Thus, the film industry will gain new opportunities for development. Thus far, Macedonian film producers were forced to seek these services in the region, which has reduced their efficiency.

Kodak is the leader in film innovation. With a turnover of about US$ 13,3 billion in 2006, the company is focused on the strategy of digital development.

Created and realized by Digital Media, with the support of USAID and the Government, Digital Media Park is the first technological park in Macedonia. It will host 15 companies from the field of film and digital media, striving towards acceleration of development of Macedonia’s film and media industry.

MD: Great initiative! Macedonia should really do something with it's movie industry potential!

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Friday, February 15, 2008

CE COMMITTEE FOR PREVENTION OF TORTURE WITH CRITICS

National.

The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) issued a report Wednesday in which it criticizes Macedonia over ill-treatment of detained persons.

The report, composed after the 10-day visit of a Committee's delegation to Macedonia in May 2006, says that "considerable number of persons", including juveniles, alleged that they had been ill-treated by law enforcement officials.

The report cites inmates as saying that they have been repeatedly beaten in separate rooms by a number of civilian police officers over the course of nearly 24 hours. The policemen beat them with fists, kicked them and hit them with batons until they fell unconscious.

CPT urges Macedonian authorities to ensure that the message of "zero tolerance" of ill-treatment of detained persons reaches all law enforcement officials at all levels and conduct investigations in cases of suspected ill-treatment.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIAN LITERATURE IN SLOVENIA

Culture.

Promotion of works by Macedonian authors and debates on Macedonian literature were held in Slovenia, in the framework of international literary festival “Fabula”, which was held on January 21-February 15.

Macedonian literature was in the center of attention, with authors Aleksandar Prokopiev, Ermis Lafazanovski and Venko Andonovski taking part at meetings with readers, organized in cultural homes and bookstores in Ljubljana, Maribor and Kopar.
The three authors, thrilled by the way Macedonian work was accepted, stressed that Macedonian literature could make a breakthrough in Europe through Slovenia.

The authors announced that more Macedonian works would be translated into Slovenian soon.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

EU DONATES LAND ROVERS TO MACEDONIAN POLICE

National.

uropean Agency for Reconstruction (AER) will donate 34 terrain vehicles, Land Rover Defender 110, to the rapid deployment unit.

The vehicles, worth 1.3 million euros, have been specially modified for police needs and are suitable for activities in rural environment as well as for conducting routine policing.

The new vehicles will significantly improve the mobility and the operational capacity of the rapid deployment unit.

The donation ceremony will take place at Gjorce Petrov Barracks in Skopje on Thursday. The EAR's Justice and Home Affairs programme manager Paul Partner will hand over the donation to Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska.

The technical assistance from the European Union has been realized through close bilateral cooperation with the United Kingdom, which provided funds for advisory assistance and training of the rapid deployment unit.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Thursday, February 14, 2008

WINES OF MACEDONIA - SV.TRIFUN

Food and Drinks.

Today it's St.Trifun day, the saint guardian of wine and wine growers, that's why we took this oppurtunity to introduce and tell you something about Macedonian wines.

The rich Macedonian wine tradition began already at the time of Philip II and Alexander the Great of the Macedonian royal family who appreciated good wine. During the Roman Empire this tradition continued, and Macedonia - part of the Eastern Roman Empire until the seventh century - was one of the most important regions for grape cultivation in the Empire. Grape growing continued and was freely developed until the fourteenth century. During the period of the Ottoman Empire (1350-1918), winemaking was kept alive in Macedonia's abundant monasteries.

Macedonia is one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world, so what about today? Unfortunately Macedonian wines are not so popular in the world and it is very hard for Macedonia to compete with winemaking countries like France, Italy and all the newcomers like Australia, South Africa and Chile. It's also probably the way we present it or sell it why they are no succes. The winemakers blaim the politicians and the bussinesmen blaim the winemakers, in the meanwhile people are slowly trying to promote our wines with the help of USAID.

Today 4,000 small vine growers with an average holding of 2.3ha dominate the industry. They sell grapes to medium and small size wineries that produce and market wines. There are about 38 wineries in all of Macedonia, 25 of which export on foreign markets in more than 26 countries around the world.
Macedonian wines have done extremely well in competitions in recent years, winning several awards and medals at events such as the International Wine Challenge in England and the Mundus Vini in Germany where Fonko's chardonnay won the gold medal in 2006. These awards are important marketing tools for wine producers, which, at the same time, enable them to see how Macedonian wines fare against other countries' wines on the international market.

MD: Macedonia's wines are indeed great wines. It has improved allready which can be seen in the number of bottles shipped to other countries, such as to Germany, Holland, Japan, the UK, and the US. Currently Macedonia is the fourth largest exporter of wine to Germany. For those of you who haven't tried any Macedonians wine yet; What are you waiting for!? Go to your local wine importer and you will certainly find some Macedonian wines there. Nazdravje!

Have a look here:

[Wine MK]

[Wine shop USA]

[2FriendsImports]

(This article has been published before, but we got alot of interesting comments on it, so we want to share it with you again)

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:18 am | Permalink | Comments

'SHADOWS' A PERFECT FESTIVAL FILM

Culture.

Following his much fêted debut, “Before the Rain” (1994), and his second feature, “Dust” (2001), writer-director Milco Mancevski has once again provided us with the perfect festival film: a visual tale of dramatic substance, with historical depth and contemporary thrust, adroitly told with innovation and élan. And once again Manchevski returns to that place he cannot leave behind, his beloved Macedonia, says U.S. critic Diane Sipl in her review of “Shadows” in “Cinema without Borders”.
In her review, the critic refers to the country’s history and division among neighbors, in order to explain the story about Lazar and Menka.

“In the first two films, Mancevski used historic facts to tell stories from his country. ‘Shadows’ departs from this approach, opting for a more straight-forward development of the story, but adds to it a dreamscape of personal torment. Call it a ‘ghost story’ but know that it feels more like Bergman or Polanski, or even Shakespeare — Macbeth and Hamlet come to mind.

Retaining an ensemble of actors from one film to the next, Manchevski used two first-time film actors in Shadows for the lead roles, Borce Nacev as Lazar and Vesna Stanojevska as Menka, who both deliver remarkable performances. As for the director, if we view Lazar as a visionary not unlike the filmmaker himself, pursuing the artist’s journey, that journey is also an allegory of cinema when its task is to lead us to see — at whatever price — and to dream”, stresses Sipple.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

61 IN FIFA RANKS

Sports.

Macedonia is down one place to 61st in the latest FIFA rankings.

African national teams have surged in the latest FIFA rankings. There was plenty of movement lower down after the African Cup of Nations, with tournament host Ghana becoming the continent's highest ranked team. Ghana have surged to 14th, up 29 places, as a result of their performance in the African Cup of Nations.

Egypt improved to 29th from 35th after successfully defending its title, with runner-up Cameroon up eight spots to 17th.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

MACEDONIAN WIKIPEDIA EXCEEDS 15.000 ARTICLES

National.

The sole encyclopedia in Macedonian language, available on the Internet for readers throughout the world, exceeded 15.000 articles.

The Macedonian-language Wikipedia has around 2.900 registered users and 10 administrators, who work with with other non-registered users to make the world's knowledge available in Macedonian language.

The online encyclopedia featuring thematic portals in various fields, includes portals: Classical Music, Mathematics, Arts, Geography, Europe, History, Technology and Archeology.

MD: Nice! It's only too bad the English wiki is full of wrong information and the Greek 'wiki mafia' is controlling everything.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

US SUPPORTS MACEDONIA'S NATO ENTRANCE TOO

National.

The USA strongly supports Macedonia's membership in NATO, Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said today in Washington after meeting with the US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice.

"There is no other NATO member-country that supports more firmly membership in NATO of Macedonia and the whole Adriatic Charter Group," Milososki said as answering a journalist's question if he was offered any guarantees that US would stand behind the Macedonia's bid to receive an invitation for membership from the Alliance's Summit in Bucharest.

"This support coincides with our strategic relations with America... when we speak about Afghanistan, Iraq, and the regional issues," Voice of America cited Milososki as saying.

"We expect Athens to behave rationally," Milososki said referring to the possibility of Greece to use the right of veto to block Macedonia's membership in NATO. "We will do everything in our power; and I assume Washington would do the same; to prevent this, because the enlargement will be equal to success."

The Foreign Minister also stressed that as far as the implementation of reforms is concerned, Macedonia is fully qualified to join the Alliance.

MD: Macedonia should really use the US support while Bush is still on his post. We don't want to say that Bush is great, we all know he isn't but if Obama for example would win next year, it will be tough for us Macedonians. Obama seems to be a big philhellene.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

NIMITZ TO PROPOSE DOUBLE NAME ON 19TH

National.

A double name will be the final proposal that UN mediator Matthew Nimitz will present to Greece and Macedonia on 19 February, Greek daily Kathimerini said citing diplomats.

The paper said the new and most probably the final proposal will not differ from the framework set out in early November 2007. The so-called double-name formula foresees that one name be used in international communication and other name to be used in bilateral communication with Greece.

"If Greece rejects Nimitz's new proposal and continues to threaten Macedonia's entry into NATO with eventual veto, the country will turn into black sheep at the Alliance's summit in Bucharest, Kathimerini daily said.

MD: We'll see with what he will come up this time, but we don't really think the proposal will be accepted. Macedonia is just Macedonia and it should stay like that. Basta!

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

GREEKS SUPRISED BY MACEDONIAN - USA MEETING

National.

Greece was not notified about today's meeting of US State Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki, which confirms that Washington and Skopje work together, a Greek daily said.

Eleftheros Typos daily said nobody in Athens knew about Rice-Milososki meeting. Greek officials were caught by surprise with the unannounced meeting, which takes place one day before the visit of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis to Washington.

The paper says Greece's allies in NATO and in European Union no longer pledge solidarity with Athens due to eventual veto on Macedonia's NATO entry.

The decision on Greek veto on Macedonia's admission to NATO will push the Costas Karamanlis' government to the wall, to diplomatic extortion and deadlock in the next 20 days, the pro-opposition daily said.

Even though Greek government made clear that non-resolution of name dispute would mean a veto on NATO entry, it is quite obvious that the strategy will be additionally shaped after the Bakoyannis-Rice meeting, and the issue is likely to be settled along with Kosovo independence.

If Greece quits veto, the move will have a high political price. Nonetheless, the eventual consent to Cyrillic transcript of Republic of Macedonia will be of much higher price, Eleftheros Typos daily said.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

CANADA SUPPORTS MACEDONIA FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP

National.

Canada openly supports Macedonia's membership in NATO and appreciates greatly its participation in the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki said this after meeting today in Ottawa with the Speaker of the Canadian House of Senate, Noel Kinsella.

The stand of the Canadian authorities is that by joining NATO, Macedonia will contribute to additional strengthening of the Alliance's capacity in our region, says Milososki's statement published on the government's webpage.

On Monday afternoon, he is scheduled to meet with his Canadian counterpart Maxim Bernier, with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defense, Laurie Hawn, and with representatives of the Canadian-Macedonian inter-parliamentary group.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

'THE LAKE LAND' AMONG BEST DOCS IN PROGRESS

Culture.

In the competition of over 100 films from the entire world within international contest of independent film authors “Docs in Progress”, in cooperation with network “Nomadsland” with head offices in Washington, documentary “The Lake Land of Nicola K.”, directed by Goran Trencovski has been selected among five best in 2007.

The 17-minute-long film is produced by the Macedonian Television, done according to motives of prose “Towards the Other Land” by Mitko Madzunkov. The documentary also won an award at festival in Novogard, Poland, and has already been screened in the Czech Republic and Greece.

The film focuses on the spiritual energy of the Macedonian native, opposite to the ecological disaster of one of Balkan’s oldest lakes – the Dojran Lake.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:13 am | Permalink | Comments

NACOSKI IN ITALY

Culture.

Renowned Macedonian tenor Blagoj Nacoski had his debut in the role of Peter Quint in opera “The Turn of the Screw” by Benjamin Britten in the Ravenna Opera House on Friday evening.

Jonathan Webb is the conductor, while Elio de Capiteni is the director. Nacevski performed alongside several famous Italian opera singers.

He recently played the role of Don Narciso in opera “The Turk in Italy” by Rossini. Moreover, Nacevski is to take part at concert “Three Tenors” in Tokyo, Japan in March.

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:12 am | Permalink | Comments

Monday, February 11, 2008

MACEDONIA TO UNDERTAKE ALL MEASURES FOR POSSIBLE GREEK VETO

National.

Government spokesman Ivica Bocevski, considering yesterday's information broadcast by Sitel TV station that the Government had passed 12 directions for action in case Greece vetoed Macedonia's accession to NATO, said he refused to comment hypothetical situations.

The Government of Macedonia will not comment hypothetical issues, including this one that refers to possible veto by Greece for our accession to NATO. Country's top state officials have established regular communication. Surely, Macedonia, being normal and organised country, in such given situation will undertake all measures at its disposal as responsible member of the international community, said Bocevski answering a journalist question at Sunday's press conference in the Government.

Sitel TV station reported yesterday that Macedonia will officially revoke the interim agreement, thus it's validity will be annulled, and that the name dispute talks with Greece or any other country will be stopped if Greece puts a veto on Macedonia's accession to NATO. In that case Macedonia will send an official request to the UN on recognising the constitutional name. Given the intention, Macedonia will turn to the Security Council of General Assembly, or to both of them, if it evaluates that it's the best option.

According to Sitel, Macedonia in case of a Greek veto will also organise a referendum for preserving the constitutional name in order to prevent any current or future high-profile politician from changing the name. Moreover, a procedure on retrieving the old original flag (Kutles - Vergina sun) will be instigated having in mind that the change of the flag didn't contribute to mitigating the name problem. It is anticipated this idea to be accepted because both Macedonians and Albanians honour Alexander the Great. The TV station reported that, out of the same reasons, a procedure for retrieving the constitutional amendments from 1992 will be started, while appropriate legal procedure regarding the minority issue of the Macedonians in Greece will be launched.

Sitel insisted that hundreds of streets, highways, buildings, stadiums, sports halls and squares will be renamed, bearing the names of great ancient Macedonians. Also the Tabanovce-Bogorodica route of Corridor 10 will be named Alexander the Great Highway, whereas the new airport in Stip will bear the name of Philip II.

The TV station foresaw that closer ties with Northern Cyprus will be established, as well as the partnership with USA and Turkey will be reinforced and implementing Ancient Macedonian symbol's in the equipment of Macedonian sports teams.

Greek newspaper Ethnos also claimed yesterday that the U.S. threatened Greece with "repressive measures" if it vetoed Macedonia's accession into NATO. Dora Bakoyiannis is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State, Condeleezza Rice in Washington on Wednesday to discuss Greece's stance and naming options for Macedonia as a last chance solution. Greece's strong stance on this issue leaves the U.S. with one option to delay Macedonia's invite to accession into NATO.

Macedonia understands the power of this issue and the consequences it may face resulting from Kosovo's current events and is pushing for quick accession into NATO.

Matthew Nimitz, UN special envoy for the naming issue between Macedonia and Greece, is ready with a new proposal. By the looks, this proposal will not be satisfactory to Greece since he does not accept Greece's complex name proposal, but rather accepts Macedonia's right to use its constitutional name Republic of Macedonia, Ethnos reports.

MD: Nice measures, we really like the flag one. Maybe they should do those things anyway, even if there will be no veto. It is because of Greece that we haven't done these things earlier, after all.

[MakFax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

FOREIGNERS ABLE TO BUY PROPERTY IN MACEDONIA

National.

Foreigners will, in the future, be able to buy land/property in Macedonia, vice - premier Zoran Stavreski announced today.
Citizens of the European Union will have the right to buy land, or houses in Macedonia while citizens from outside of the EU will be able to do so by reciprocity.

The only thing that foreigners will not be able to buy is agricultural land or properties. The government thinks that the making of this decision will increase foreign investments in the country and strengthen the bussines climate. This new decision will most likely start after Macedonia's EU entrance.

MD: Nice, but why should we think about this, when Macedonia will not even enter the EU in the next 5 years?

[Ohridnews.com]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:16 am | Permalink | Comments

AMERICAN MOTORWAY ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION IN SKOPJE

Culture.

An exhibition of photographs entitled “American Architecture along Motorways” by John Margolis is opening at the City of Skopje Museum at 8.00 p.m. today in organization of the Skopje Museum and the US Embassy in Macedonia.

US Ambassador to Macedonia Gillian Milovanovic will open the show consisting of 67 photographs of the already defunct old, inventive architecture along the motorways throughout the country, which started to fade away at the end of the 1950s and almost vanished at the beginning of the 21st century.

An art historian, Margolis has explored the continental part of the United States to eternize the pictures of tradition in the American vanishing business. The photographs exhibited in Skopje are a part of a stock of thousands of photographs made during his 100,000-kilometer-long trip. Besides in Skopje, the show will be set at the Art Gallery in Tetovo (21st February – 1st March) and the Bezisten Gallery in Stip (6-12 March).

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments

Saturday, February 09, 2008

GORAN AND ADRIJANA ALACKI, WORLD PROMOTERS OF ORIGINAL MACEDONIAN MUSIC

Culture.

After the successful visit of the United States where they toured 12 countries leading workshops and giving lectures, Goran and Adrijana Alacki are leaving for Sao Paolo, Brazil next month. There, they will present Macedonian songs and dances.

Goran will work with several Brazilian distinguished accordion players who want to play our music, and Adrijana, a veteran folk dancer, will demonstrate original folk dances as well as songs to Brazilian students of ethno musicology.

MD: Great! Keep up the good work spreading our beautifull music in the world!

[Culture.in.mk]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:17 am | Permalink | Comments

FIRST PASSPORT AT 110TH BIRTHDAY

National.

A 109-year-old Macedonian woman will finally be getting her first passport after it took decades for authorities to check how old she was. Maria Kostova from Stip, eastern Macedonia, was born on Feb. 7, 1898, but no birth certificate was ever issued, the Web site Ananova reported yesterday.

When she applied for a passport more than 20 years ago, passport authorities said they would have to look for her birth records. Ms. Kostova never heard back from them. Now officials say documents dating back to the end of the 19th century were recently found and they can finally confirm her birth-date.

She will receive her new passport this month as a 110th birthday present. "It's a nice surprise," Ms. Kostova said. "Now I just have to think of what holiday I can have so I can use it."

MD: The news is a bit old, but interesting, that's why we decided to post it after all, we don't know if she really got it on her birthday wednesday! Anyway, still a happy birthday to her!

[nationalpost.com]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:15 am | Permalink | Comments