Macedonia Daily.org: January 2009

Saturday, January 31, 2009

MEMORIAL HOUSE OF MOTHER THERESA

National.

The Memorial House dedicated to Mother Teresa, the great humanist and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, will be promoted and consecrated in the Skopje centre on Friday.

The consecration of the Memorial Home, which has been erected in the very location of the once Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, will be serviced by the Bishop of Skopje and Apostolic Exarch in Macedonia, Monsignor Kiro Stojanov.

The construction of the Memorial Home is a project of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia carried out by the Ministry of Culture. The activity is a part of the events intended to mark jubilee 100 years since Mother Teresa’s birth. With her commitment to help people irrespective of their national and religious affiliation, she left an eternal mark in the history of mankind as the symbol of benefaction and humaneness.

PM Nikola Gruevski, Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, and Bishop of Skopje and Apostolic Exarch in Macedonia Monsignor Kiro Stojanov will give addresses. The attendees will be also addressed by Mother Teresa’s spiritual father, Dr. Leo Maasburg who is arriving from Vienna especially for the event.

Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu to an Albanian family in 1910 in Skopje. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in India, where she ministered over 40 years. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work and, following her death in 1997, was beatified – a step before being canonised as a saint, and given the title Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

[Mia]

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

GALICICA TOURSM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

National.

International experts alongside domestic experts from Ohrid-based Tourism Faculty today will present a Strategy on Development of Sustainable Tourism in Galicica National Park.

In the course of the project "Support for National Park Galicica, financed by German KFW bank, experts from the Ohrid-based Tourism Faculty conducted a research on tourism potentials of NP Galicica and the Municipalities of Ohrid and Resen.

The strategic document was prepared by Nicole Hausler, international tourism expert from Germany in cooperation with NP Galicica.

The strategy aims to provide a sustainable development of tourism within the boundaries of the national park, which includes attractive parts of Ohrid and Prespa coastline.

[Makfax]

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

FITZGERALD: NAME ISSUE CRUCIAL FOR NATO

National.

Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, Commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Headquarters Naples, expressed regrets that Macedonia was not invited to NATO although it completed the necessary reforms.

Admiral Fitzgerald met today with President Branko Crvenkovski. He reiterated that name dispute with Greece is the sole obstacle to Macredonia's NATO entry. He also expressed hope taht the issue will be solved in due time.

Admiral Fitzgerald expressed gratitude on Macedonia's tremendous contribution to NATO-led peacekeeping missions in crisis regions.

Admiral Fitzgerald voiced hope that forthcoming elections in Macedonia will be conducted in democratic atmposhere.

[Makfax]

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

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

MACEDONIANS CLIMBS KILIMANJARO

National.

Ohrid resident Misko Taneski, a member of the Mountaineers' Association "Magaro" has climbed Kilimanjaro's highest peak.

Taneski climbed Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at altitude of 5896 meters, on Saturday. At his departure for Africa, he had said that his biggest wish was to climb the seven highest peaks in the world, Makfax's correspondent reported.

On 10 August, the 37-year-old mountain climber Misko Taneski climbed the 4810 meters high Mont Blanc.

[Makfax]

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

GREECE PLANNING TO ERECT ALEXANDER STATUE IN IRAQ

National.

Greece and Iraq have agreed to build a monument honoring the Macedonian warrior-king Alexander the Great at an ancient battlefield in southern Iraq.

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis said the agreement was reached at the talks in Athens with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari.

Zebari said the battlefield monument would underline the interaction of civilizations in the region.

Paying an honor to the great conquest "must symbolize the mutual influence between the two peoples," the Greek and the Iraqi ones, Bakoyannis said.

The monument will be built at the locality bearing the ancient name of Gaugamela, situated near the city of Mosul. At the time - 331 B.C. - Iraq was part of the Persian Empire, which stretched throughout most of the Middle East. 25-year-old Alexander won a crushing victory over a Persian army and declared himself Emperor of Asia.

MD: Nice political move by our southern neigbours! They just couldn't take it that our highway was renamed 'Alexander the Great' recently. When is this game going to end?

[Makfax]

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

JAPANESE PRESENT WASTE WATER TREATMENT PROJECT

National.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) presented on Tuesday the final draft-version of the Study on Wastewater Management in Skopje.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications said the study was carried out by Tokyo Engineering Consultations Co. Ltd in cooperation with CTI Engineering International Co. Ltd, and it is financially covered by the Japanese government.

The study includes a detailed analysis on the Vardar River situation, the quality of the water in certain areas, financial and technical analyses and projections on final implementation of the project on wastewater treatment within the territory of Skopje City.

The study will be subject to assessment by relevant institutions before it is submitted to the Macedonian government.

[Makfax]

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

Saturday, January 24, 2009

ONE HAPPY MACEDONIA

Sports.

The historic success of Macedonia's handball team of advancing to the quarterfinals of the World Championship in Croatia, threw the country into euphoria, prompting hundreds of Macedonian supporters to head for Croatia.

About 1,000 fans that supported Macedonia at the group matches in Varazdin are now moving to Zadar. They will be joined by hundreds more leaving for Croatia by buses and charter flights.

"There is an enormous interest for our bus and flight arrangements, including tickets for the next two matches of our team," a representative of the Skopje-based tour operator "Orfej" told Makfax agency.

Macedonia's participation at the World Championship continues by playing matches in Zadar, in a group that includes also Germany, Poland, Norway, Denmark and most likely, Serbia.

The next match against Norway will take place on Saturday. The next day, Macedonia plays against Denmark and against Serbia on Tuesday.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIAN - GREEK BORDER CLOSED DUE TO STRIKE

National.

The border crossing "Bogorodica" will be shut down indefinitely due to protest of Greek farmers.

AMSM recommends all the drivers to use Dojran border crossing to enter Greece, as it functions normally.

[Makfax]

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

ZRZE MONASTERY AT MULTIMEDIA CD

Culture.

Multimedia CD “Transfiguration” by the Zrze monks, released by the monastery, enriches the treasury of Macedonia’s historic, cultural, but also living heritage.

Multimedia bilingual CD “Transfiguration” represents a step forward in the treatment of cultural and spiritual heritage. The CD text and the design are the work of the Zrze monks, who used excerpts from the Holy Testament and works of the holy fathers.
Ivica Jankulovski and Risto Soluncev are the music authors, whereas the photographs are taken by the Zrze monks, Ivan Blazev, Ognen Teofilovski, Igor Bozinovski, Dimitrija Dimeski, Prilep Bureau and Museum.

“Seavus” made the technical processing of the CD, translated in English by Aleksandar Zafirovski.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Friday, January 23, 2009

HISTORIC WIN AT HANDBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Sports.

Macedonian national team won a historic victory against Russia (36:30), securing place in the second stage of the World Championship.

Macedonia's defense was very successful in blocking the Russian players, playing flawlessly in the attack.

The victory against Russia put Macedonia among 12 best teams in the world.

Macedonia's player Naumce Mojosvski was declared a player of match.

Macedonia's participation at the World Championship continues by playing matches in Zadar, in a group that includes also Germany, Poland, Norway, Denmark and most likely, Serbia.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIA HAS TO PUT ARGUMENTS FORWARD BY JULY

National.

The International Court of Justice based in The Hague adopted a Decision - dated 20 January, 2009 - on the dynamics of submission of written statements in the case "Republic of Macedonia against the Republic of Greece."

Pursuant to the Decision published today, the Court prescribed for the Republic of Macedonia to lodge a written Memorandum by 20 July, 2009 and for Greece to submit the written response by 20 January, 2010.

The Court made the Decision on the basis of the stances of the two parties presented at a meeting with the Court's President, held on 19 January, 2009.

[Makfax]

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

7.7 MILLION EUROS FOR STATE CAMPAIGN

National.

Nikola Gruevski's government had spent 474 million denars (7.7 million euros) on campaigns in 2007, according to financial report released by State Auditor's Office.

The cost of the campaign "Invest in Macedonia", during which the country was promoted as Europe's most-desired business destination in newspapers in 35 countries around the world, stood at 3.3 million euros, the State Auditor's Office is quoted by Utrinski Vesnik daily.

The Auditor also found that 812 million denars were set aside from 2007 budget for realization of government's programme. This is three times higher than spending in previous year 2006 when 222 million denars were set aside for this purpose.

Most funds - approximately 203 million denars - were allocated to realization of campaign Invest in Macedonia, Utrinski Vesnik daily said.

The cost of anti-corruption campaign and the cost of campaign to promote education and the Macedonia-made products stood at 270.621 denars (4.4 million euros).

[Makfax]

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

STUDENTS PROTEST IN BRUSSELS

National.

Around 50 Macedonian students in private and state universities will stage anti-visa protests in front of European Commission's headquarters in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

In the course of the protest, dubbed "Visa - No Chance", the students will place a fence in front of the EC headquarters to symbolize the visa barrier.

The campaign "Visa - No Chance" has been supported by Slovenian Ambassador to Macedonia, Alain Bergant, who facilitated a meeting of MEPs Alojz Peterle and Jelko Kacin and the students.

[Makfax]

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

Thursday, January 22, 2009

PRESIDENTIAL RACE BEGINS

National.

The official collecting of signatures for presidential hopefuls is underway in Macedonia.

The upcoming presidential elections are likely to be the most uncertain since the country's independence.

The independent presidential candidates have been given 15 days to collect 10.000 signatures to make their candidacy valid.

The candidates with political party's nomination need a backing of least 30 legislators to run for president.

Almost two months to elections, slated for 22 March, it is quite certain that Professor George Ivanov, hailed by VMRO-DPMNE's leading figures, George Atanasovski of the Macedonian Alliance, and the former interior minister Ljube Boskoski will compete in the presidential race.

The situation in the opposition bloc is still not clear.

[Makfax]

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

OOPS!

National.

A Greek journalist from the Athens daily newspaper, Real News, has lost his job recently because he called Greece's neighbour, Macedonia, by her constitutional name, Macedonia, when publishing an article in the financial section of the newspaper.

(Photo credit should read REAL NEWS)

[MD Network]

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

KERIM QUITS PRESIDENTIAL RACE

National.

Srdjan Kerim announced on Wednesday that he would not run for president in the upcoming elections.

He made the statement at a press conference in Skopje.

Recently, the opposition SDSM party put forward a proposal to the ruling VMRO-DPMNE suggesting that Kerim be the joint candidate for president.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIA & CROATIA SIGN CULTURAL COOPERATION PROGRAM

Culture.

Macedonian Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Croatian counterpart Bozo Biskupic signed Monday in Skopje the Program for Cooperation in Culture 2009-2011.

"Macedonia and Croatia enjoy traditionally good long-standing cultural ties. We have realized exchanges of a number of exhibitions, whereas renowned Croatian artists have taken part at Macedonian international events, such as Ohrid Summer, Struga Poetry Evenings, Youth Open Theatre. This Program only confirms our wish for greater intensity and cooperation in the culture sector", said Minister Kanceska-Milevska after the signing ceremony.

Croatian colleague Biskupic stated that the Program has been signed as a result of the excellent bilateral political relations and the long-standing traditional cultural cooperation.

Interlocutors referred to cooperation at all levels, exchange of experts in digitization of cultural heritage, a number of projects, as well as support of programs by national minorities.

Kanceska-Milevska stressed that a majority of the projects, which were subject of the meeting, have been encompassed in the Annual Program of the Culture Ministry.

"These include several significant exhibitions in cooperation with the Zagreb and Skopje Museums. Moreover, we give full support to the Croatian associations", added the Minister.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

MACEDONIA'S ROAD TO EU AND NATO SEALED

National.

In a strong-worded message to Macedonia, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis made it clear that the country's road to EU and NATO is sealed if no deal on the name row is reached.

Kathimerini daily says Karamanlis toned up his rhetoric in a speech before Greek parliament.

In a reply to rightist Laos party leader Yorgos Karadjaferis, Karajan's stressed that Skopje's Euro-Atlantic ambitions won't come true if the authorities care about political gain of upcoming elections instead of caring about the country's future.

Greek prime minister reiterated Athens' position that only a name with a geographic qualifier could pave the way to an ultimate deal.

[Makfax]

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

STUDENTS CALL FOR VISA FREE TRAVEL IN EU

National.

A 50-member delegation of Macedonian students will mass in front of European Commission's headquarters in Brussels next week, and later hold meetings with MEPs.

The event is part of the project "Visa?! No Chance!!!". The initiative, supported by Slovenian Embassy to Macedonia, has been confirmed by 17.000 students through petition organized by the Group of Youth Associations and Student Organizations.

"Slovenian Embassy will help the students to meet with MEPs Aloize Petrle and Jelko Kacin in Brussels," Slovenian Consul Tomazh Trobentar told Makfax news agency.

Slovenian Consul Trobentar alongside Slovenian Ambassador Alan Bergant met today with a group of students at Slovenia's embassy.

Trobentar added that meetings will be staged in Ljubljana with notable public personalities as well as with representatives of Slovenian Foreign Ministry's Directorate for Visa Issues.

Earlier, the country's youth associations organized a conference with the ambassadors of EU member-countries accredited to Macedonia.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIA STARTS EXPORTING MILK IN CISTERNS

National.

Macedonia will start exporting about 30-50 tons of milk on daily basis to Bulgaria in cisterns when producers and companies of both countries will agree on quantities and prices, Agriculture Minister Aco Spasenoski said after his meeting with a Bulgarian delegation at the Green Week Fair in Berlin.

Today, Spasenoski will take part at international conference of agriculture ministers "Global Food Safety - Global Challenge for Politics and Industry". Moreover, he will attend the plenary session of international agriculture forum, dedicated to the global food situation up to 2020.

Yesterday, Spasenoski held bilateral meetings with his colleagues from Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Sweden.

[Mina]

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

Monday, January 19, 2009

TOPENCAROV GOT THE CROSS, AGAIN

National.

The Macedonian Festival of Epiphany, or 'The Blessing of the Waters' in Ohrid, is held every year on January 19. This is the special occasion when many daring young Macedonian men brave the cold water to dive for a cross after it has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the Ohrid Lake.

This year about 1000 people joined the festivity, however one young man, Mitko Topencarov, was the lucky one who caught the cross before the eyes of about 20.000 visitors. Mitko has caught the cross for the 4th time already!

Many people were not satisfied of how the festivity went, because only a part of all contestants were having the chance to jump of a boat, on which the priest was trowing the cross, and the rest had to jump from the shore which is more far away, thus less chance to grab it first.

MD: Bravo to Mitko, again, however it is not how it used to be, today some are even using flippers and diving masks, which is not really fair!

[Ohridnews]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 1:56 pm | Permalink | Comments

Friday, January 16, 2009

MACEDONIA IN PICTURES

Culture.

Screening of a restored documentary, “Macedonia in Pictures” (1923) by Arsenij Jovkov and four other ethnological films is formally opening the 2009 Film Program at the Cinematheque of Macedonia tomorrow.

“'Macedonia in Pictures,’ which was restored at Jadran Film in Zagreb us of special importance for Macedonia and the Macedonian identity. One of the oldest materials in possession of the Cinematheque, the film was shot to mark the 20th anniversary of Ilinden Uprising,” Director of the Cinematheque Mimi Gjorgoska-Ilievska said.
Besides Jovkov’s film, the evening will also see newly restored “Easter Customs” (1945) by Aco Petrovski; “Gjurgovden Customs in Skopje Area” (1956) by Blagoja Drnkov;

“Fisery in Lake Katlanovo” (1964) and “Mariovo Wedding” (1966) by Vera Klickova in an event accompanied on the piano by Stefan Panovski and by the Baklava band.

Gjorgoska-Ilievska announced presentation of prominent figures from film art for this year. One of the first guests in March is Jiří Menzel, one of the European most influential film authors. The Cinematheque will also organize a festival of American classical western movies in collaboration with the US Embassy. Collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Vienna brings a retrospective of the modern author’s films in March. Furthermore, there will be a Week of Francophony with modern films shot in French-speaking areas as well as a retrospective of films by an Italian author and presentation of the Czech cinematography.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Thursday, January 15, 2009

MILOSOSKI: GREECE HAS A HIDDEN AGENDA

National.

Greece's position to block Macedonia's NATO integration is irrational, due to its fear that the name implies pretensions towards their northern province, says FM Milososki in an interview with "Bloomberg".

"The name is not the goal of the problem imposed by Greece. Athens' hidden agenda is to undermine our national identity", assesses Milososki.

According to him, Macedonia has demonstrated readiness for compromise by changing its flag and Constitution, and it is up to Greece to make the next step.

"Greece should make a move showing that it has nothing against stable and prosperous Macedonia, integrated in NATO and EU", he says.

Milososki adds that Macedonia would accept a compromise name for bilateral use, a proposal that Athens refuses.

FM Milososki expects the country to obtain a date for beginning of EU accession talks in 2009.

"We are not less ready than other countries on that road", he underlines.

"Bloomberg" refers to the name issue background, saying that more than 100 countries, among which USA, Russia, China, Great Britain and Canada, recognize Macedonia's constitutional name, whereas Greece, along with a smaller group of countries that include France and Germany address the country with interim reference.

"Several proposals for settlement of the row were tabled in recent years, the ones most mentioned being 'Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)' and 'Republic of Northern Macedonia', but were refused by one or the other party", says "Bloomberg".

[MINA]

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

MACEDONIA KICKS OFF LUSTRATION

National.

Macedonian Parliament set up Facts Verification Commission, which marks the launch of lustration process in the country.

The legislators, both of the governing coalition and of opposition parties, hailed the composition of Lustration Commission. The motion was previously agreed by the country's four largest parties. All 87 lawmakers present at today's session voted 'yes'.

The parliament has named Agim Mehmeti, a journalist from Skopje, to head the new panel. Georgi Malkovski, historian, was named as deputy head.

The panel will include 11 members.

The ruling VMRO-DPMNE welcomed the election of Lustration Commission, adding that it hopes the Commission would successfully wrap up the "historic task".

DUI, government ally, hopes that the Commission will work with high responsibility and that it will not turn into "witch-hunting" panel.

Opposition SDSM said the Commission has a "difficult and serious task" and it must resist eventual political pressure.

Opposition DPA also welcomed the formation of Commission, noting that it's very important that the panel is chaired by opposition.

Macedonia is among a few European countries that have not completed lustration.

[Makfax]

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

SKOPJE'S NEW CITY THEATRE

National.

With many actors, playwrights and directors in attendance, the Youth Cultural Center (MKC) announced Thursday the opening of the Skopje City Theater.

It is due to start functioning on Jan. 21 with a performance of the play "R", penned by Jordan Plevnes and directed by Dejan Projkovski. MKC director Boris Momirovski said the new theater institution will offer a different kind of theater to Skopje citizens. The goal is a fresh theater stage to be created that will promote unconventional theatre expression.

Director Projkovski said the Skopje City Theater is a new spiritual temple in our cultural space. - MKC continuously for 33 years is organising the Young Open Theater festival and is managing to convene the most avant-garde and bravest theater authors from all around the world, while affirming the Macedonian theater abroad in the best possible way, he stated.

Skopje mayor Trifun Kostovski noted that Skopje with its current dimensions deserves to have its own theater reflecting its everyday life.

The newly-established institution has already determined its repertoire for the coming session. In addition to "R", two other plays are in the works.

[Mina]

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

DOWN 7 POINTS IN ECONOMIC FREEDOM INDEX

National.

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)

[Makfax]

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

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

YOUNGEST IT EXPERT IN THE WORLD

National.

Marko Calasan from Skopje has become the world’s youngest fully-certified Microsoft system administrator at age 9.
Calasan has passed the two remaining examinations that granted him the certificate, local weekly Globus reported. While his friends read children books, he is more interested in professional IT literature.

Calasan's talent attracted media interest from when he passed his first MS Windows exams as a 7-year old. He first touched a computer when he was two, and studied with a special explanatory program invented by his father Milan, an IT professional.

A Slovenian company is now sponsoring the boy and has been shown interest in licensing the program.

[Balkaninsight]

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

CONSTRUCTION OF HOTEL HALTED

National.

Hypo Alpe Adria halted construction of a hotel at the Ohrid Lake coast, Total portal says. The company cited withdrawal of a foreign partner from the project due to unfavorable economic trends.

"We are not giving up building of a hotel in Ohrid. There are still possibilities for its realization, however, we will have to wait for better times for investing," a company's representative said in a statement given to Total.

According to the plan, Hypo Alpe Adria Leasing was to invest 7 million euros in construction of a luxurious hotel in Ohrid.

[Mina]

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

HAPPY MACEDONIAN NEW YEAR

Macedonia Daily

Macedonia Daily wishes you a very happy Macedonian new year! We wish you all the best luck and health!

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:14 am | Permalink | Comments

RUSSIAN GAS SUPPLIES TO MACEDONIA UNCERTAIN

National.

Russian natural gas is likely to flow into Macedonia late on Wednesday, Makpetrol said on Tuesday.

"We expect the pressure in the pipeline to reach the required level 36 hours after the launch of gas shipments," Makpetrol said.

However, the statement was released shortly before the breaking news from Ukraine, saying that Russian gas flow has been halted again.

Makpetrol confirmed that it was notified by the Moscow-based gas distributor Sojuzgaz-Export that Russia has begun pumping gas to Macedonian consumers this morning at 09:15 hrs.

Makpetrol immediately notified the country's consumers of natural gas to make sure that they wrap up the necessary preparations.

Russia's gas giant Gazprom resumed gas supplies to European consumers through Ukraine, six days after Russian-Ukrainian dispute left much of Europe without fuel.

[Makfax]

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

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

TRADITIONAL VEVCANI CARNIVAL

Culture.

The traditional Vevcani Carnival, which is one of Macedonia's biggest and most unique cultural events that celebrates the arrival of the old calendar's New Year, will be held in Vevcani municipality on January 13.

According to tradition, visitors put on masks and make fun of daily events in Macedonia and worldwide.
Vice Premier for European Affairs Ivica Bocevski said at Friday's press conference that the Secretariat for European Affairs will present a prize within campaign "On the Road to Europe-Start from Yourself" to Vevcani municipality due to nurturing and promoting European values.

"Thus, we want to recognize Vevcani citizens, who foster freedom, democracy and tradition", added Bocevski.
Besides the masked ball, this year's carnival will also include the performances of band "Leb i Sol", pop star Dani and folk singer Blagoja Grujovski.

Travel Channel has announced a set of special documentaries on the Vevchani carnival. Thus, this small town and Macedonia will be presented on the famous satellite TV as a new tourist destination.

The Vevchani carnival has been part of the World Carnival Towns Association since 1993, whereas the carnival has 1400-year long tradition. It is the only carnival in Macedonia that has survived the 1950s, when the country considered that all carnival traditions should cease.

The carnival each year is visited by over 50.000 guests from Macedonia and abroad.

With an official act of Vevcani municipality, January 13 and 14 are officially proclaimed for holidays in Vevchani.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

SUCCESSFUL ARCHEOLOGICAL YEAR, VINICKO KALE

Culture.

Last year’s exploration campaign of the Vinicko Kale (Vinica Fortress) turned out to be very prolific. Terra cotta icons, which archaeologists put back between the 4th and 6th centuries, depicting images from the Old Testament, David’s psalms and topic and images of saints, were unearthed.

Since 1985, archaeological teams have explored an area of 25,000 square meters in the Vinicko Kale in several campaigns. The artefacts unearthed speak of the life in this area 4,200 years ago.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

ICG REPORT ON MACEDONIA - GREECE ISSUE

National.

Greece should accept the “Macedonian” identity and language of its northern neighbor bearing in mind that this does not imply exclusivity and does not challenge the application of the same adjective to the inhabitants of the Greek province of Macedonia.

This is the keynote of the report entitled "The Name of Macedonia: Breaking the Deadlock,"
released today by the International Crisis Group.

Skopje should avoid provoking and accept the UN mediator’s latest proposal to rename the country as “Republic of North Macedonia”. Skopje and Athens should undertake to examine the common history of the region in order to reach a basic understanding and avoid references in the educational curricula that offend the national sensibilities of either country.

According to ICG, after Greece blocked Macedonia’s NATO entry at the April 2008 Bucharest summit relations between Skopje and Athens have deteriorated to levels not seen since the early 1990s.

“By blocking Macedonia’s NATO and EU integration, Greece appeared to contravene its undertaking in the 1995 Interim Accord not to let the name issue stand in the way of the country’s membership of international organizations”, says Sabine Freizer, Crisis Group’s Director of Europe Program.

“Pending agreement Skopje should use its provisional name ‘the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’ in all multilateral forums, and Athens should drop its veto threats,” Freizer adds.

Don Steinberg, Crisis Group’s Deputy President warns that the Greek-Macedonian dispute "risks derailing the main strategy of both NATO and the EU for stabilizing Macedonia and the region, based on enlargement and integration”

“They should not allow the strategy to fall victim of an intractable dispute involving one of their own members,” Steinberg said.

[Makfax]

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

Monday, January 12, 2009

OFFICIAL: BOSKOVSKI TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT

National.

Ljube Boskovski has officially announced that he will run for president of Macedonia, A1 television informed.
The former interior minister announced the news at a meeting with journalists in Bitola.

“I expect unreserved support from the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and I call on those who believe in me to believe in our Macedonia’s future as well,” he said.

Writer Bratislav Taskoveski was appointed head of campaign office. He said the office would lead a modern and Europe-oriented campaign.

Macedonia holds its presidential elections on March 22nd.

[Makfax]

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

PANDEV SCORES HATTRICK

Sports.

Goran Pandev scored his first hat-trick and brought a win to his Lazio. He also scored the 50th goal in the Italian Serie A. A wonderful Sunday for him, another magic and Pandev is the hero of Lazio, again!
Lazio faced Reggina away on Stadio Oreste Granillo. First Bernardo Corradi opened the score early in the 4th minute from a penalty kick after Lazio's goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carizzo fouled Franco Brienza in the box.

Pandev stole the ball from Andrea Costa, went around two meters into the box where his shot was a bit blocked by Santos, enough to fool Andrea Campagnolo and to tie the score on 1:1 in the 14th minute.

Mauro Zárate skipped two Reggina players on the left side, than crossed to Pandev who first took the ball with his chests and than shot with his left leg and brought Lazio the lead. This happened in the 21st minute. The first half ended with this score.

63rd minute and Reggina tied to 2:2. Alessio Sestu crossed to Francesco Cozza from the right, Mobido Diakité missed the ball and Cozza scored.

Another goal by the tandem Zárate-Pandev. Zárate served Pandev from the left in the 76th minute and he from some seven meters beat Campagnolo for the third time, scoring his first hat-trick in his career and also his 50th goal in the Serie A.

After this match, Pandev has 8 goals so far this season in the Serie A and 4 goals in the Coppa Italia. He is the best scorer for Lazio together with Zárate, both have 8 goals. Lazio is now on the 7th place with 30 points. Pandev's and Lazio's next opponent is Juventus. The match will be played on Sunday (18.01.09) at 20.30 on Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

[MD Network]

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

MACEDONIA TIMELESS SEEN BY 160.000 PEOPLE ONLINE

Culture.

A total of 160,000 visitors have seen video clip “Macedonia-Timeless” of Milco Mancevski in the first two weeks after its promotion. The website supporting the clip has over 3,000 daily visits from 93 countries.

“This is the first time that such interest has been shown about Macedonia since the 2001 conflict. It is the first time that Macedonia is not interesting due to a conflict or crisis, but as tourist and cultural destination”, say representatives f “S Press”.

The clip is broadcast at six international TV stations, such as CNN, Euronews, Fox News etc), and will soon start to air in nine more countries.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Friday, January 09, 2009

9 RICHTER EARTHQUAKE HITS MACEDONIA

National.

An earthquake measuring 5 degrees on the Richer scale rocked Macedonia today at 13:04 hrs.

The tremor was centered in the country's northwest, near Gostivar, European-Mediterranean Seismology Center (EMSC) said. The Center claims the quake's epicenter was two kilometers south of Vrapciste.

EMSC also said the quake's epicenter was two kilometers under the ground.

According to U.S. National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), the quake was with a magnitude 4.9 on the Richter, and it happened 60 kilometers off Skopje.

The tremor was felt in Skopje, Tetovo and Debar, Makfax correspondents said.

MD: There is no info on possible damage yet, but people said that they felt the quake with a huge intensity and much left high buildings in and surrounding Tetovo immediatelly.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIA JOINS EUROPEAN PATENT ORGANIZATION

National.

Republic of Macedonia has become a member of the European Patent Organization (EPO), as EPO membership is one of the country's obligations before joining the European Union.

Agency for Intellectual Property "Berin" announced on Thursday that Macedonia has already ratified the European Patent Convention.

Macedonia's accession into EPO would allow domestic companies and individual inventors to extend protection of their inventions throughout the territory of 27 EU member-countries - plus Croatia, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey - through single patent application.

This means that Macedonian companies will no longer need foreign patent representatives to the European Patent Institute, as they can submit their applications directly to Intellectual Property Agency "Berin" or to other Macedonian patent representative to the European Patent Institute in Munich.

[Makfax]

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

OHRID AND VRELO INTO THE SECOND ROUND OF NEW WONDERS

National.

The Ohrid lake and the Vrelo cave at Matka managed to get a place between the 261 contestants in the second round of the new 7 natural world wonders contest of the world.

"Now its important for the Macedonian representatives to be placed among the first 77 candidates", said Tia Viering, the organiser of the contest.

The contest started in 2007, with 441 candidates from all over the world.

You van vote on a candidate by going to the website www.new7wonders.com/hp until the 7th of July. In July the former president of UNESCO will choose 21 candidates from the 77 from the second round.

From those 21, 7 will end up and will share the fame with the 7 world wonders; Chinese wall, Colloseum, Taj Mahal, Petra, piramides of Cicei ica and the lost city of Machu Pichu

[Makfax]

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

Thursday, January 08, 2009

VISA LIBERATION IN SIX MONTHS?

National.

A high EU official said he expected for Macedonia to be granted visa liberalization in the next six months.

Erhard Busek, the former head of the Stability Pact and the current adviser of the Czech Presidency over EU, met with the Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski in Skopje today.

According to Busek, the situation in the Union itself and the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty are of key importance when it comes to EU enlargement, A1 TV Station reported.

"I don't think it's possible to get a date for start of accession talks without endorsement of the Lisbon Treaty. Generally speaking, as long as this issue is resolved, the subject of enlargement won't be taken into consideration in EU. I hope you will be able to secure the visa liberalization in the course of the Czech Presidency over EU ending in June. This is very important, as well as the implementation of the IPA funds. If Macedonia keeps up the good work, the country will be able to make these important steps forward," Busek said.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIAN DELEGATION TO ATTEND GAS MEETING

National.

Two Macedonian experts will attend a meeting of EU, Russia, Ukraine representatives on the gas supply crisis, scheduled for Friday in Brussels.

The presence of Macedonian experts at this meeting was a subject of a phone conversation between Vice-Premier for European Affairs Ivica Bocevski and his Czech counterpart Alexandr Vondra.

Yesterday and today Bocevski had a series of talks with relevant EU institutions and member countries asking for Macedonia's inclusion in all activities related to surpassing the crisis that resulted from gas supply cut off, the Government Secretariat for European Affairs said Wednesday in a press release.

- The Government of Macedonia, a candidate for the EU membership and signatory country of the SEE Energy Community Treaty, will take over the regional initiative for dealing with the problem and take active part in discussions on the energy stability withing the Czech EU Presidency. Macedonia's diplomatic offensive continues in the upcoming days on both regional and European level, the press release reads.

[Mina]

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

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

MERRY MACEDONIAN CHRISTMAS

National.

Finally, Macedonian christmas! Macedonia Daily wishes you a happy christmas and a great time celebrating it! Christmas is widely celebrated all over Macedonia. In Skopje for example the 17th traditional Christmas Eve festivity took place outside St. Kliment Ohridski Cathedral.

This event to become traditional in the Macedonian capital is becoming a reality. Each year, thousands of Macedonian citizens attend this celebration, the peak of which is the welcoming of the Christmas godfather with a blessing from the Macedonian church head.

Like every year, free brandy, communion, and Christmas Eve oak tree branches were given away outside the cathedral, while the ceremony began with a Christmas Eve hymn and with the committee hoisting the Christmas Eve flag.

MD: We wish you a merry christmas!! Hristos se rodi! Navistina se rodi!!

[Makfax]

Posted by Macedonia Daily at 12:19 am | Permalink | Comments

SIGHTS OF MACEDONIA

National.

Snowy Ohrid just before christmas.

(Photo credit should read MIA)

[MD Network]

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

BADNIK CUP GIVEN TO GODFATHERS 'SYNTHESIS'

National.

Celebrating Christmas and everything that precedes to this salvation event, is not only celebrating the day that divides the time or memory to a great person in the history. Celebration of Christmas means experiencing unity with Christ, celebrate the God that lives in us through our faith in the largest miracle, in the miracle of His Birth, the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC), the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia HH Stefan said Tuesday in front of believers before St. Clement of Ohrid church.

Badnik is traditionally celebrated before the church "St. Clement of Ohrid" in Skopje where this year's Badnik godfathers Synthesis band and writer Venko Andonovski were given the last year's Badnik Cup by Dimitar Josifovski.

The Head of Macedonian Orthodox Church said that greeting with Christ is Born is not only said in a memory of Christ’s Birth since 2009 years in Bethlehem but because of His constant birth in souls and hearths of all who experience Christmas as continual holiday and event.

Member of Synthesis band, representatives of the Macedonian folklore in the world in the past 12 years, said “besides global recession they will bring luck to the people in Macedonia.

The fact that we are here on this cold weather shows that we have temple with lit candle in our hearts… always share everything you have,” the writer Venko Andonovski said.

Skopje Mayor Trifun Kostovski greeting the citizens and said that 2009 will be difficult year but only with God we can surpass all problems together and it can be successful for us.

Today children are going from a home to a home in their neighbourhood, knocking at the doors and singing Kolede songs. The home-owners give the children candies, sweets, fruit and coins.

The family dinner on Badnik is the only holiday when you can find rich and poor gathered on one place. In the evening on Badnik, the closest family is gathering around the Badnik dinner.

The main event at this dinner is the cutting of the Christmas bread on pieces for each member of the family, one for the home and one for Jesus Christ. Inside the Christmas Bread there is a coin. There is a belief that who ever finds the coin in his/her piece of the bread will have luck the whole year. The coin is put in a glass of wine and the lucky person should drink from the wine.

[Mia]

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

GAS SUPPLY HALTED

National.

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.

[Mina]

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

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

MANY INJURIES BECAUSE OF SLIPPERY STREETS

National.

At least 100 people have suffered bone fractures in Skopje alone in the past three days as a result of the slippery streets following this weekend's snowfalls.

In the past three days, 84 people were admitted in the Skopje City Hospital, whereas only seventeen were hospitalised. They have mainly suffered hip, forearm and knee-pad fractures.

The snow cover all across the country does not cause any traffic obstacles. All local and regional roads throughout the country have been cleaned. There is a ban for heavy freight vehicles at road sections Gostivar-Kicevo, Mavrovo-Debar and Debar-Struga.

Bus, railroad and air traffic in Macedonia is taking place regularly, however in winter conditions.

The weather in Macedonia on Monday will be mostly overcast, whereas light snow is expected to fall on higher places.

Temperatures are ranging between -6C and 2C.

Forecasters says new snowfalls could be expected on Thursday.

[Mia]

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO ORTHODOX BELIEVERS

National.

The state dignitaries extended congratulations today to the Orthodox believers and the MOC clergy on the occasion of the great Christian religious holiday The Birth of Christ - Christmas.

"Celebration of the Birth of Christ is a celebration of the unconditional love and peace among all peoples in the world. Therefore, let us be greatful for his mercy and boundless love. I am strongly convinced that MOC will continue giving its contribution to increasing the awareness about, and significance of our faith, which is founded in love, peace, mutual respect, tolerance and solidarity," Branko Crvenkovski said, congratulating Christmas to all believers and to the Head of MOC, Archbishop Stefan.

"I am deeply convinced that by having respect and faith for the Christ's teaching, by observing and holding on to the religious values, we will continue threading on our path of justice to build more prosperous and happier future for both the present and future generations," says the congratulating letter of the Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski.

In his congratulating address, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski wished peace and serenity in every home.

"This great Christian holiday is an excellent opportunity to emphasize the noble mission of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in preserving the rich historic and cultural traditions, promotion of the true spiritual values and cultural distinction of the Macedonian people - the mission for peace, unity and tolerance among people."

[Makfax]

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