Macedonia Daily.org: July 2009

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

BRITISH AIRWAYS WANTS DIRECT ROUTE TO MACEDONIA

National.

Britain's largest airline "British Airways" wants to establish routes to Macedonia, since air traffic in the country and the number of offered destinations reached by direct flights are expected to increase as of early 2009 when the visa liberalisation for Macedonian citizens will enter into force.

This was conveyed Wednesday to Minister of Transport and Communications Mile Janakieski by company representatives paying a working visit to Macedonia.

At a meeting in the Ministry, Janakieski presented advantages to operate in Macedonia as well as plans to modernise the airport system through the project on giving Macedonian airports under concession.

[Mina]

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

TOURISM IN OHRID DROPS

National.

According to an analysis made by Macedonian organization of tourist professionals HOTAM in the period from June 12 to July 12, the region of Ohrid and Struga recorded a lower number of tourists compared to the period from April to May.

This is primarily due to the fact that in the springtime, foreign tourists were visiting the region. Number of tourists dropped 6-8 percent compared to last year, HOTAM says, due to poor promotion on fairs, drop in tourist package offers by tourist agencies and due to weather.

[Mina]

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

Friday, July 24, 2009

ROMANIAN COMPANY IN SEARCH FOR OIL

National.

Bucharest-based consulting company Prospect Uni prepared a report on request of Macedonian Government about feasibility of oil research in Macedonia.

Romanian experts established that the dilemma whether there is oil in Macedonia would be solved just with experimental drilling because the documentation dating from the 1970s when attempts were made to explore oil sources and reserves was not sufficient.

The issue of Macedonia’s oil wells was raised three years ago when the British-Canadian consortium Bankers Petroleum launched serious negotiations with the Government regarding search for oil in Macedonia. No agreement was reached and the state launched its own initiative in order to look into the claims that it may own oil reserves.

[Mina]

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

MERCATOR TO EXPAND TO MACEDONIA

National.

The largest Slovenian chain of supermarkets - Mercator - announced yesterday that it would continue expansion on the Balkans by opening stores in Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria and Kosovo.

In the statement reported by Reuters, Mercator’s chief executive Ziga Debeljak said that, the economic crisis notwithstanding, Mercator remains open to all forms of expansion and growth in other countries.

The company plans to enter the markets of Macedonia and Kosovo by 2012. According to the Slovenian Business Weekly, Mercator bought land for a supermarket in Skopje in 2005. In February 2005 the company opened its regional branch - Mercator Macedonia - in Skopje.

[Mina]

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

Monday, July 20, 2009

FOREIGNERS CAUGHT SMUGGLING ARTIFACTS

National.

In two separate incidents this weekend, a Croat and two Greeks were prevented in their attempt to smuggle out old Macedonian coins, jewelry, mosaics, icons...

In both incidents the individuals did not report their valuable archeological artifacts at the border. The Greeks were apprehended by the border police at the Bogorodica border crossing. The artifacts were confiscated, both suspects will make an appearance in a Bitola court.

All artifacts were also taken away from the Croat at the Tabanovce border crossing, he will also make an appearance in a Skopje court.

[Mina]

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

STOPANSKA BANKA BEST BANK

National.

Stopanska Banka Skopje has received outstanding recognitions for the results achieved in 2008 from the world-renowned magazines Euromoney and Finance Central Europe.

According to both magazines Stopanska is the best bank in Macedonia in 2008, whereas Finance Central Europe said it had greatest volume of assets and capital in 2008.

The President of the Steering Board of Stopanska Banka Skopje, Gligor Bisev, announced this in Skopje today, adding that in late 2008, every family in Macedonia and every other company was using the services of the bank.

[Mina]

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

Saturday, July 18, 2009

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES RELEASED

National.

The Macedonian Employment Service reported a total of 347,622 unemployed on June 30th 2009. According to the agency the number of unemployed dropped by 1,441 in comparison to May, which is a sign of improvement on the Macedonian labour market.

The agency then emphasised that 277,443 registered unemployed were actively looking for a job, while the remaining 70,179 registered with the service only to have health insurance.

Also, according to the MES, the continuing problem is the Black Market which employs as much as 150,000 people. These people figure as 'unemployed', though this soon may change as the Government has stepped up their inspections and had implemented harsh fines for firms that don't register their employees with Government institutions.

In the past two months the UJP had shut down over 70 companies who did not pay taxes, paid their employees in cash while they figured on the 'unemployed' list and received EI benefits.

[Mina]

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

MACEDONIAN FOOTBALL TRICKS

National.

The disgrace called "Macedonian Football Federation" continues to exist, albeit barely. The thumping Milanovo Kumanovo received yesterday at the hands of Croatian based Slaven Belupo was the icing on the cake for the FFM.

Milano started off their UEFA Cup match with a 'youth' team who barely had the energy to run from one end to the other end of the field. With no money to compete in the Macedonian league, the club owner in jail, what prompted the spineless FFM to issue a UEFA license to Milano to compete and further embarass the already embarassing Macedonian club football.

Slaven Belupo, a rather mediocre Croatian team (has lost to other Macedonian clubs in friendly matches) played as if on training. If it wasn't for Markovski, Milano's goalie, the score could have been easily 12-0. Thanks to the great and at moments amazing goalkeeping Milano lost 'only' 4-0.

The players fielded from Milano were not even listed in an official document, rather they were added hours before the match. There was no questions these 7-8 new players were what can be qualified as "Youth", most being around 17, 18 years old.

Where is the FFM in all this? Nowhere, as usual. The FFM was fully aware FK Milano had no money, owner is jailed, no organization, no contracts with players. In other words, Milano is not a professional club. What qualified Milano to receive a UEFA Cup certificate ?

Pobeda, Prilep

The Prilep based club, after three weeks of delicate thinking figured out a way to trick UEFA and FIFA. Pobeda will merge with another Prilep based football club called Pela. This way, FC Pobeda will become FC Pela. UEFA has banned FC Pobeda from Euro competition (for 8 years), but not FC Pela. Is this trickery moral? It is if you ask Pobeda's owners, already convicted by UEFA for fixing matches and betting against their own club.

The players will remain the same, the management will remain the same. Mafioso Aleksandar Zabrcanec (banned by UEFA/FIFA for life), will continue to manage the club, though will appoint a subordinate, close relative as the manager 'on paper'.

[Mina]

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

Friday, July 17, 2009

IVANOV CONGRATULATES CITIZENS

National.

The European Commission (EC)'s recommendation for liberalization of the visa regime presents a clear confirmation that Macedonia is a leader of reforms in this sphere, President Gjorgi Ivanov said on Thursday.

Macedonia's success to meet the necessary criteria proves that our society and institutions are ready for the next steps towards the country's full EU-integration, Ivanov said.

Macedonian institutions, citizens may be proud as this (recommendation) is a result of honorable approach and dedicated work, the President said.

I was pleased to hear Commissioner Olli Rehn's statement that the set criteria for free visa regime were not easy to be met, Ivanov said, extending congratulations to the citizens, Government and all of those who contributed to this great success of Macedonia.

[Mina]

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

CULTURAL TOURISM UPRISING IN KRUSEVO

Culture.

Event “Krusevo Ethno-Town”, a project aimed at reviving the historic place and turning it into the first ethno-town in Europe, will open in Krusevo on Sunday evening at 18,00h.

The manifestation will bring Krusevo back to 1903, including about 800 participants.
The parade will include cultural-artistic clubs, choristers, singers, actors etc, all dressed in Komita, Turkish and folk costumes.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture, organized by the Krusevo Historic Museum and Ilinden Days. The event will last until the end of August, involving tourism and cultural content.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

"FIRE AND WATER" WINS GRAND PRIX AWARD IN BULGARIA

Culture.

Kiro Urdin’s film “Fire and Water” has won the Grand Prix award in the category of environment protection films at the fifth European environment awareness festival “Green Wave”, held in Bulgarian town-museum Koprivstica on July 10-12.

The festival included 120 films from 27 countries, whereas the international jury allocated grand prix awards in six categories.

The other grand prix awards went to films from Serbia, Germany, Bulgaria and Hungary.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

SOLANA WITH GOOD NEWS

National.

I bring good news for your country regarding the visa liberalisation process, the EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) Javier Solana said Tuesday at the press conference after meeting the PM Nikola Gruevski.

- I know that visa liberalisation is important issue. It will be resolved and I hope in the next couple of days you will receive good news. It will help the citizens in the country, especially the young to travel freely and to get closer with people of the EU states, Solana said.

He expressed satisfaction from bilateral relations between Macedonia and EU as well as from country’s coping with the economic crisis.

- Today I’m not bringing the date but I bring spirit of constructive and good cooperation. We are especially satisfied from the way the country moves during economic crisis dealing with it on intelligent manner, which is shown by economic indicators.

PM Nikola Gruevski during the friendly and useful meeting he informed Solana as our supporter, on country’s efforts for gaining date for start pre-accession talks, the situation in the country and in the region.

- The Republic of Macedonia is in final phase of completing the benchmarks. I have informed him about our efforts and assured him that we will make our best in finishing the foreseen tasks in the following period and the government is fully focused on having a successful period, Gruevski said.

Solana recommends the country to continue with the process of reforms and implementation of the laws related to the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which are the road to country’s accession in the EU.

Solana will resume Balkan tour heading to Kosovo Tuesday afternoon and will wrap it up tomorrow by visiting Montenegro.

[Mina]

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

US RECOGNITION FOR MACEDONIAN SERGEANT-MAJOR

National.

Ceremony of presenting a US Army recognition to Macedonian Army (ARM) chief non-commissioned officer, Sergeant-Major Boban Stojanovic, will be held in the Army Hall on Wednesday.

The ceremony is to be attended by Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski, Chief of ARM Staff, Lieutenant-General Miroslav Stojanovski, US ambassador to Macedonia Philip Reeker and other guests.

The recognition was allocated to Stojanovic at the US Army Sergeants Major Academy in base "Fort Bliss", Texas on June 26 for outstanding results in studies, but also for career achievements. Boban had scored on average 99% on all of his exams and projects.

This recognition is presented for the first time to a student-non-commissioned officer, who is not a member of the US Army.

[Mina]

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

Monday, July 13, 2009

IVANOV DECORATES MORRICONE

National.

President Gjorge Ivanov signs decree on decoration of the Italian composer Ennio Moriccone with the Medal of Merits for Macedonia, press release of President's cabinet reads.

The medal is presented for significant results in his music work as well as for participation at this year's Ohrid Summer Festival and for his contribution for affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the world.

The medal will be presented Saturday evening in presidential residence in Ohrid.

A concert of the most popular film composer in the world, 80-year-old Italian Ennio Morricone, will open the Ohrid Summer Festival at the Antique Theatre in Ohrid on 12th July. Morricone is coming to Macedonia with about 100 orchestra musicians that will perform his best film themes together with the Macedonian Opera Choir. Under the baton of Morricone, the orchestra will perform widely known sounds from legendary films authored by the Italian composer, such as “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “Once Upon a Time in the West,” “Once Upon a Time in America,” “The Untouchable,” “Cinema Paradiso,” Bugsy,” “Lolita,” and others.

The festival will be officially opened by its sponsor President Gjorge Ivanov.

[Mina]

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

TRPCESKI IN USA, SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE

Culture.

Macedonian piano virtuoso Simon Trpceski will perform the second concerto for piano and orchestra by Saint-Saens, together with the Aspen Chamber Orchestra, in the framework of the city’s music festival.

Afterwards, Trpceski is scheduled to perform recitals and chamber music in Switzerland and France.

In the course of the weekend, he played together with the Cleveland Orchestra within the Blossom Music Festival.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Saturday, July 11, 2009

CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNMENT PRESENTED

National.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski thanked Friday in a Parliament address outgoing Government ministers for their efforts and commitment in creating fresh standards.

"Ministers who resigned - Pero Stojanovski, Ivica Bocevski and Aco Spasenoski - have left a trace in Macedonia's political history through their work, effort, contribution, projects and results. I congratulate them and express my gratitude for their engagement", said Gruevski.

He presented the candidates for replacement of the outgoing ministers, referring to their professionalism and responsibility.

Regarding Vasko Naumovski, PhD, candidate for Vice Premier for European Affairs, PM Gruevski said he is a young man guided by the European values and principles, acquiring experiences in the EU countries, meeting authorities in the field of European law and European policy.

Candidate for Vice Premier for Economic Affairs, Vladimir Pesevski, MA, who has been director-general of SEAF South Balkan Fund for 11 years, has successfully conducted negotiations with a number of foreign investors, which has resulted in about Euro 300 million investments in several Macedonian companies.

Gruevski stressed that outgoing Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Zoran Stavreski, MA, who is now proposed for the post Vice Premier without Portfolio and Finance Minister, has shown strong capacity to manage a wide spectre of economic issues.

Outgoing director of the Skopje Cadastre Office, Nikola Todorov, candidate for Minister for Education and Science, was promoted by PM Gruevski as a young man possessing enormous doze of energy, enthusiasm and knowledge.

Pertaining to Ljupco Dimovski, candidate for Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Gruevski said he worked for more than 25 years on economic and commercial issues, achieving significant results in these fields.

[Mina]

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

ARMY LEAVES FOR AFGHANISTAN

National.

A send-off ceremony of the contingent of the ARM's Second Mechanised Infantry Brigade to ISAF peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan was held Friday at "Mihajlo Apostolski" military barracks in Ohrid.

- Respected soldiers of the Macedonian Army leaving today to biggest and most complex ISAF mission together with your colleagues serving in other missions, are real ambassadors of the country. Through you the Macedonian message of peace reaches far away in the countries of your fellow soldiers and among the citizens of the countries whose safety and peace is kept by you, President Gjorge Ivanov said to Macedonian peacekeepers.

Ivanov said that Macedonia is fully prepared to join equally and formally in frameworks of North Atlantic Alliance.

- Our institutions made all preparations and reforms even more that Macedonia is the most successful example of modern, multicultural, European and democratic society, Ivanov said, adding that full-fledged membership in NATO and EU is the biggest challenge, for which Macedonia will include all social resources and potentials to fulfil it.

DM Konjanovski addressing the Macedonian peacekeepers said that he was convinced that their preparedness and qualities would only improve already great assessment for Macedonia's participation in peacekeeping missions.

In the course of the seventh rotation of ISAF mission, 149 members of Second Mechanised Infantry Brigade together with national representative and three HQ officers will be deployed in ISAF HQ in Kabul.

Macedonian peacekeepers, under the command of British Army, will take part in providing security to the ISAF command in Kabul, patrolling streets and guarding military bases and facilities.

"Scorpions" from First Mechanised Infantry Brigade started the mission in Afghanistan on June 2006 with one infantry mechanised detachment, whereat in the next two rotations their colleagues from second Mechanised Infantry Brigade successfully continued the mission.

[Mina]

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

PANDEV HIRES LAWYER TO DEAL WITH LOTITO

National.

You have to do what you have to do. The bizarre behaviour of Lazio's owner Claudio Lotito forced Goran Pandev to hire an attorney, accusing Lazio's owner of mobbing.

This is a serious charge brought by the Macedonian striker against Lazio's boss who has made continuous psychological threats to the player. Threats ranging from benching him for the reminder of his contract, misleading Lazio's fans that Pandev doesn't like to stay at the club, and most recently refusing to speak to female managers sent by top European clubs to negotiate buying out Pandev's contract.

According to Claudio Lotito, he doesn't negotiate contracts with women, they have no place in football.

Matij Grasan is the attorney brought in by Pandev and his managers. Mr. Grasan has been involved in a 'mobbing' case of Sicilian based club Catania where players had complained of mistreatment and threats.

Pandev had been quiet for a long time mostly out of respect for Lazio's fans, though it appears a line was drawn today. Lazio's boss via illegal ways and threats prefers to keep Pandev and extend his contract for 1 million euros per season, while Juventus, Fiorentina... offer at least 2.5 million. Russian champion Zenit sticks out from the group and is willing to pay 4 million euros per season to get Pandev's signature.

There are talks, though this is in the realm of speculation by Italian based Gazeta Delo Sport that claims Pandev had agreed to a transfer to Juventus next year, which will leave Lazio's boss earning nothing from the transfer.

[Mina]

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

Friday, July 10, 2009

OHRID LAKE & VRELO CAVE ENTER SEMI FINALS

National.

The Ohrid Lake and Vrelo Cave - Macedonia's nominees for global selection of new seven wonders of nature, are among the 77 finalists.

According to the competition's terms, this result means that one of Macedonia's nominees would automatically enter the list of the 28 official finalists, Zoran Tuntev, representative of the Committee for Nomination of the Ohrid Lake and Vrelo Cave, said to media.

Entering the final will be a great opportunity for presenting the Ohrid Lake and its beauties worldwide, Tuntev said.

A so-called 'New 7 Wonders Tour' will be organized for all finalists of the second phase, Tuntev said, pointing out that powerful media networks, such as the CNN, news agencies Reuters and AP, will be included in the project.

The Official New 7 Wonders of the World were announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday, July 7, 2007 - 07.07.07.

From the top 77 nominees the New7Wonders of Nature Panel of Experts will advise on the choice of the 28 official finalists, to be announced on 21 July 2009 - the day that voting resumes in the Official New7Wonders of Nature, as chosen by over 1 billion votes and to be revealed in 2011.

[Mina]

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

EC TO ANNUL VISAS FOR MACEDONIA, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

National.

The European Commission plans to annul visas for citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, said Thursday in Brussels EC Vice-President Jacques Barrot, Responsible of Justice, Freedom and Security.

Barrot stated at a press conference that the EC would propose a visa-free regime for the three countries as of the beginning of 2010.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn will officially present the proposal for the visa annulment in Strasbourg on July 14.

"Rehn will announce the joyful news", stressed Barrot, adding that Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro have invested efforts in meeting EU prerequisites, such as document security, biometric passports, strengthening of border controls and fight against corruption.

Moreover, Barrot said Albania and Bosnia&Herzegovina have still not met conditions for a visa-free regime.

[Mina]

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

MACEDONIAN & DUTCH MUSICIANS-TECHNOLOGY PENETRATES TRADITION

Culture.

A music workshop entitled “Technology Penetrates Tradition” is opening in Ohrid today through 23rd July. Organised by the Public Room Citizens’ Association in Skopje in collaboration with Zoes Foundation for Arts and Culture in the Netherlands, the workshop is aimed at initiating a dialogue between the two countries’ cultures through music and providing awareness on different manners of creating and performing music.

“Technology Penetrates Tradition” is an experimental project organised for the first time in our country. This involves 20 musicians, 10 of Macedonia and the Netherlands each. The Dutch musicians use modern technology whereas Macedonian young musicians are playing on traditional acoustic instruments thus making an unusual union.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

MACEDONIAN - POLISH CULTURAL COOPERATION

Culture.

Polish experts will assist Macedonia in conservation and protection of the cultural heritage in the following period. At the same time, the number of experts offering their knowledge to our country will be increased. This is only a segment of the Cooperation Programme between Macedonia and Poland for 2009-2010 that was signed in Warsaw yesterday by the Macedonian Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage Bogdan Zdrojewski.

“The Republic of Macedonia is a great friend and supporter of our country. The signing creates opportunities for exchange of creative energy between artists, who will get closer cultures of the two countries as catalysts and contribute to deepening and developing the overall interstate relations,” Kanceska-Milevska said.
Macedonia and Poland has had prolific cooperation in film art. Our films have been presented in international film festivals in Poland, and support has been given for a Macedonian—Polish co-production, “The Yellow Rose” by Antonio Mitrikeski.

In literature and publishing, participation of Polish representatives in the Struga Poetry Evenings and the International Meeting of Literary Translators in Tetovo as well as participation of Polish Slav-language experts in Seminars on Macedonian Language, Literature and Culture in Ohrid is remarkable. As for the stage music activity, cooperating between the Macedonian Philharmonic and corresponding institutions and conductors and soloists in Poland has been established, and Polish soloists have taken part in the May Opera Evenings.

The Struga Poetry Evenings has signed Cooperation Agreement with the Warsaw Poetry Evening that will be attended by Macedonian poets.
Minister Kanceska – Milevska has invited her Polish counterpart to be her guest for the Ohrid Summer Festival.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

Thursday, July 09, 2009

SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS IN HERAKLEA

Culture.

Coins, a mead mug and utensils have been unearthed at the ancient site of Heraklea. According to Anica Gjorgievska and Engin Nasuh, the artefacts will enrich significantly the collection of the Bitola Museum.

The intensive excavations of Heraklea point to new evidence about the settlement.

Nasuh says that the unearthing of the South Wall has revealed that life in the settlement did not end in the 6th century B.C. but lasted a few more centuries.

“Unearthing of the South Wall is opening new evidence and findings speaking of the life in Heraklea not having ended in the 6th century B.C. Rather, it continued for at least two or three centuries and ended in the late 3rd century B.C.”

A group of students of archaeology from the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia is attending educational training at the Heraklea site within an international project coordinated by the Youth Cultural Centre in Bitola.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

EASA STANDARDS IN MACEDONIA

National.

As of August, EU air safety standards will become a requirement for Macedonian air transport authorities.

The head of Macedonian Civil Aviation Agency Zoran Krstevski and the head of the European Aviation Safety Agency EASA Patrick Goudou have signed a working agreement on cooperation between the two institutions.

The agreement governs all aspects of safety regulation in civil air transport and stipulates application of EU air standards, which will become required for Macedonia.

[Mina]

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

OFFICIALS REVIEW NAME PROPOSALS

National.

Macedonian top officials carefully reviewed the proposals put forward by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz. They agreed Macedonians will have the final word Makfax informed.
President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Deputy Prime Minister Abdulaqim Ademi, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and Ambassador Zoran Jolevski attended Wednesday’s meeting.

Ivanov's Cabinet said in a statement that the officials thrashed out the ideas put forward by mediator Nimetz and held initial discussion on these suggestions.
The top officials also discussed mediator Nimetz's expectation to be briefed in August about the positions of both countries regarding the modalities and possibilities for reaching an acceptable solution.

Macedonian top officials are set to hold additional meetings and coordination to specify the next steps.

[FocusFen]

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

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

EUROBALKAN: END NEGOTIATIONS WITH GREECE

National.

Immediate stop to all negotiations with Greece, suggested today the 'EuroBalkan' Institute. If for one or another reason Macedonia stays in this 'negotiations' the red line is of technical nature and nothing less than a double formula can be accepted, says 'EuroBalkan'.

Nimetz, the Institute says, has gone out of his mandate given to him by the UN.

"Macedonia has the legitimate right to leave all negotiations at once, because these 'negotiations' are first - unlawful, they are breaching the UN Charter and Convention, the UN itself has broken its own Charter, and lastly Greece had breached the Interim Agreement", says Jovan Donev of "EuroBalkan".

Nimetz's so called proposals are only articulations of Greece's wishes. It is clear, Greece is seeking geographical name for all use. We don't have a partner to negotiate with, says Donev, adding - Macedonia is under a special war.

Calling for exclusivity on history, history only known to Greece as a basis to negate the right of self identification of an independent nation can become a very dangerous precedent.

For Mr. Donev, an inclusion of the albanian political factor in the name negotiations is a simple political marketing, while calling the scenarios and blackmails for 'destabilization' of the country if the name dispute is not solved quickly as 'ridiculous', a scare tactic used by the opposition for 20 years.

'EuroBalkan" does not expect any progress in the name negotiations until the end of the year.

[Mina]

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

ABOLOSHING OF VISA REQUIREMENTS

National.

The European Commission will adopt on 14 July in Strasbourg a motion for abolishing of the Schengen visa requirement for the citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, the MMakfax agency informs.

The European Commission Vice-President Responsible of Justice, Freedom and Security - Jacques Barrot, and the EU Commissioner for Enlargment - Olli Rehn, will elaborate the proposal, Makfax agency says.

Immediately after adoption, the proposal will be delivered to the Council and the European Parliament.
The Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, gave a similar statement today in Romania.

"I hope that liberalization of the visa regime for three important Western Balkan's countries - Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro - will be realized in the following weeks," Frattini had said after the meeting with his Romanian counterpart Cristian Diaconescu, as quoted by Makfax.

[Focus Fen]

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

EXPENSIVE ALCOHOL PERMITS

National.

he extended time for the sale of alcohol until 9 p.m. during the summer is an acceptable solution for Macedonian traders, which will help them increase the sale. The owners of shops who do not have permits for the sale of alcohol intend to obtain them now.

The permit costs MKD 20,000 and is valid for two years. After they found this out, traders complained that the permit was too expensive and that they would not obtain it. Namely, most shops do not have daily turnover of more than MKD 8,000, and people buy only bread, vegetables, milk, and not wine, lately.

The obtaining of the permit is not profitable so illegal sale of alcohol in parks is prospering. Small businesses recommend MKD 10,000 tag for alcohol license, instead of the current price.

[Mina]

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

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

ST. ZLATA MEGLENSKA CHOIR WITH AWARDS IN CALIFORNIA

Culture.

St. Zlata Meglenska Female Choir under the baton of Letka Dimovska-Polizova took part in the St. Luis International Choir Festival, United States. In tight competition where eventually only choirs from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Congo, Philippines and Macedonia remained, St. Zlata Meglenska won the first prize in the free choice category and the third prize in the folklore category. The festival took place between 25 and 29 June and the visit was supported by the Macedonian Ministry of Culture.

“These awards have special significance not only for the history of our choir but for Macedonia in general,” conductor Dimovska-Polizova said in a press conference yesterday. She stated that the choir presented Macedonia at its best and was welcomed with ovations by the audience. They performed only compositions by Macedonian composers Todor Skalovski, Zapro Zaprov, Dragan Suplevski and Aleksandar Lekovski.

[Culture.in.mk]

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

NIMETZ SILENT AFTER MEETING MILOSOSKI

National.

N mediator Matthew Nimetz said following Monday's meeting with Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki that he would give a statement for the media on Tuesday.

"I will not give any statements until tomorrow. We had a good and long talk with the foreign minister. I will speak tomorrow, not today", said Nimetz when asked if a new name proposal is to be tabled.

According to the agenda, the mediator in the Macedonia-Greece name row will meet Tuesday with President Gjorge Ivanov and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

Afterwards, Nimetz is to leave for Athens, where he is scheduled to meet with Greek FM Dora Bakoyiannis and country negotiator Ademantios Vasilakis.

[Mina]

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

EX MINISTER ARRESTED IN POLAND

National.

The former Macedonian Health Minister, Vlado Dimov, was arrested on Sunday at the Warsaw's airport while he was boarding a plane headed to Bulgarian capital Sofia, local media reported.

According to unofficial information, except for the Macedonian passport, Dimov might have possessed another one, most likely a Bulgarian one, which he used for traveling.

The information for his arrest was forwarded through the Interpol offices in Warsaw and Skopje.

Dimov has been detained under an international warrant issued by the Macedonian Police upon order of the Strumica District Court. The ex-minister had been suspected of power abuse.

He is accused of having approved employment of 17 persons in 2005, when he served as a Health Minister, thus damaging the State Budget by 2.5 million euros. The 17 'ghost' individuals figured only on payroll.

It is still unknown when will Dimov stand before a court in Poland, which will decide on his extradition to Macedonia. Macedonian authorities are also seeking for Dimov for unpaid taxes.

[Mina]

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

Monday, July 06, 2009

EXCAVATIONS AT TETOVO FORTRESS YIELD OTTOMAN FINDS

Culture.

Several important structures and objects dating to the Ottoman Era were unearthed during last year’s excavations of the fortress of the town of Tetovo, located in north-western Macedonia, near the capital Skopje.

The newly discovered structures included three tunnels with underground corridors that connected them, a kitchen and dining room, a covered and a summer saray and a double well, Lulieta Abazi, Senior Custodian and the Manager of the Project, and Srekko Jovanovski, director of the Tetovo Museum, told the Utrinski Vesnik today.

Among the objects found during excavations were a silver-gilded cigarette box with preserved tobacco, coins from the Turkish period and ceramic fragments of smoking pipes.

Three tombs were also discovered, two of which were fully preserved, which will be given to anthropologists from the Museum of Macedonia for further examination.

The most surprising find, according to Abazi, was the double object which was located in the central part of an area of 108 hectares. This space was in the shape of a hill, covered with old trees, thorny bushes and grass and did not give the impression that such an object was hiding underneath.

Also covered in grass were the dungeon, some walls and some of the galleries and underground tunnels. From the excavated objects, the project’s manager told the publication, the kitchen and dining room, the covered and the summer sarays were visible.

“Also defined were the three tunnels built by Abduraman Pasha around 1820. We are finding the exists from the fortress. One leads to Tetovo, emerging near the old Medical School, the second leads to the nearby village of Lavtse, and the third – to the left bank of the Pena River,” Abazi explained.

“Their entire exploration costs a lot of resources and time, and their being fully processed would [make them] a big tourist attraction, as well as a significant find for scientists, historians and archaeologists,” she added.

According to Abazi, the frescoes are also very important finds. “Done in coloured plaster, the frescoes are dominated at times by black-greyish colour, which imitated travertine blocks.

New archaeological excavations of the Tetovo Fortress are not planned, although experts expect they will yield much older artefacts than those from the Ottoman period, the Utrinski Vesnik wrote. The discovered objects and structures are to be conserved by the Conservation Centre, for which financial resources have been set aside.

Director of the Tetovo Museum, Srekko Jovanovski is optimistic and believes that the exploration of the fortress will continue in better times. “In the excavations so far we didn’t find anything from older periods. But this does not mean that there isn’t anything. It will be confirmed or negated when it is researched,” he said.

The Tetovo Fortress is a monument of culture under state protection, while the whole area is owned by the Macedonian Orthodox Church.

[Binsight]

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

NIMETZ IN SKOPJE

National.

Matthew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the Greek-Macedonia “name” talks, arrives in Skopje today to commence a fresh round of consultations on a dispute that has kept the country from NATO membership.

Media speculate that the UN mediator will not bring any new name proposals for Macedonia to the table.

In a recent statement for state-owned Macedonian Radio and Television, Nimetz said he would ask the authorities to make a “serious effort” to find a solution to the long-standing row.

Later during the day Nimetz is scheduled to meet Macedonian President President Georgi Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki during which time he said he would "listen carefully to the positions of Macedonian side, so that we may advance in the negotiating process”.

The following days Nimetz is set to visit Athens and to hear from Greek authorities on the dispute.

Last year, the row intensified, souring relations between the two neighboring countries when Athens blocked Skopje’s NATO accession pending a solution.

Greece objects to Macedonia’s formal name implies, which it believes indicates Skopje’s territorial claims over its own northern province of the same name.

The last set of ideas for solving the row came at the end of last year when Nimetz, according to media, suggested the name "Northern Macedonia" as a compromise.

Media are speculating that the same name remains on the table, and the two sides stance on the name remains unclear.

The Skopje and Athens visits come after a meeting with the ambassadors of the two countries held in the UN quarters in Geneva on June 22. Nimetz then said that both sides were sticking to their original stances, but had demonstrated willingness to move towards a solution.

Athens has threatened to continue the blockade of Skopje's NATO accession and possibly its EU accession bid until a compromise is reached.

[Binsight]

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

TWO NEW CASES OF H1N1

National.

London-based referential laboratory of the World Health Organization has confirmed two new influenza A (H1N1) cases in Macedonia, but these patients have been already cured, Health Minister Bujar Osmani said Saturday at a session of the National Pandemic Flu Committee.

One of the patients is hospitalized at the Clinic for Infective Diseases, being in good health, while the other one has been already discharged.

- Their identity will not be revealed in line with principles for protection of patients' rights, Osmani said.

London Laboratory has not yet sent the results for only sample, Osmani said, pointing out that no new cases have been registered for the last 24 hours.

The lab results confirm the WHO conclusion that the pandemic is of moderate intensity, Osmani said.

At its session, the National Pandemic Flu Committee concluded that Macedonia was not in need of additional quantity of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

The Minister extended gratitude to medical personnel of the Clinic for Infective Diseases and medical teams working on the ground for their dedication and professionalism.

"But most of all I wish to thank to citizens for their awareness of the need of prevention and timely protection", Osmani said.

[Mina]

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

Saturday, July 04, 2009

H1N1 CAMERA INSTALLED AT AIRPORT

National.

A thermal camera for detecting arriving passengers with a body temperature above normal, being one of the symptoms of A(H1N1) flu, is being installed Friday at the Skopje airport "Alexander the Great". The mandatory thermal screening of passengers starts tomorrow, thus providing information for the Ministry of Health on potential infected people. Staff is also being trained to operate the camera.

According to results from tests made in a London laboratory, there are no people infected with the new type A influenza in Macedonia.

Director of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Zvonko Milenkovic told a press conference that five patients were currently hospitalized and other two had been released from hospital.

Minister of Health Bujar Osmani said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned that the spread of flu pandemic would be inevitable and could not be prevented with any travel restrictions or closing of borders.

- WHO recommends state services to focus on their resources to cure and treat those that are infected and to inform the citizens how to protect themselves. WHO's positive evaluations are encouraging because the pandemic has a moderate intensity, stated Osmani.

We can conclude, he added, that early detection of suspicious cases demonstrates that citizens, state and health services are well informed on the disease, its early detection, adequate treatment and prevention.

[Mina]

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

21,575 STUDENTS ENROLL HIGH SCHOOLS

National.

The Ministry of Education announced today that a total of 21,575 graduated eight-graders enrolled in the high-schools in Macedonia in the first enrolment term.

A total of 16.139 students enrolled for Macedonian-language classes, 5,035 will study in Albanian and 261 in Turkish language. No students applied for Serbian-language classes.

8,069 out of the total 21,575 will study in gymnasiums and the remaining 13,506 opted for vocational schools.

The second enrolment term for filling the 15,173 vacant places will be conducted on 19 August, and the results will be made public the next day.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIA REQUESTED EU TO REMOVE FUERE?

National.

Red faced EU representative Erwan Fouere earlier today found out from his EU bosses that Skopje has requested for his removal from the country.

The Macedonian Government has asked the EU to remove their office from the capital, citing the fact there is no need for it, as there are no more reforms or "benchmarks" to be met.

EU Representative Fouere has had a sour relationship with the Macedonian Government for two years now, and is known to be very close with the Macedonian opposition, in particular with the SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski.

Fouere's constant critique of the Government and the invention of new 'benchmarks' that seem to apply only to Macedonia and no one else, only jeopardized his stay in the country.

After Slovenia, Macedonia is the second country to formally request to the EU to remove/recall Fouere. Considering the fact Mr Fouere has been a EU Representative only in these two countries, it certainly is something he should not be proud of.

The last information MiNa received is that it seems Mr. Fouere may get more chances to meddle in Macedonia's affairs as the EU is unlikely to recall him. This does make for a very strange cohabitation, i.e. the EU representative is staying in a country where the Government publicly states he is unwanted!

[Mina]

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

Friday, July 03, 2009

MACEDONIAN SUPERBRANDS

National.

A total of 25 Macedonian products and companies received acknowledgements by the international organization Superbrands. Thus the pharmaceutical company Alkaloid, the products Bekutan and Kafetin, Vitaminka from Prilep, K-15 Skopski Pazar and others have become the new Macedonian superbrands for 2009.

This is the first time this international organization identified leading brands in Macedonia.

Macedonia’s superbrands were chosen by a professional council that consisted of sixty representatives from marketing agencies, the media, academic experts and companies. Four criteria were assessed: responsibility, quality, distinction and the emotional component.

[Mina]

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

NEW TYPES OF FUEL

National.

New types of fuel will be sold at the petrol stations in Macedonia, now that the Liquid Fuels Regulations finally apply. They introduce higher-quality diesel and "green" petrol.

Four new petroleum derivatives will be available on the market, all with reduced sulphur content. Eurosuper BS 98 will be sold for MKD 2 more than Super 98; the price of Eurosuper BS 95 has gone up by MKD 1.5 and the piece of diesel 5 by MKD 0.5; MKD 26.2 per kilo is the new price of petroleum jelly. A transitional period during which old derivatives would be replaced by the new in state reserves and at petrol stations will last 15 days for diesel and two months for other fuels.

The prices of the new oil derivatives were practically formed overnight. Until two days ago, there were no official announcements from the Regulatory Commission and OKTA, although new oil derivatives were expected on the market a year and a half ago.

Their launch was postponed by an agreement between OKTA and the government, in turn for the oil refinery writing off the debt of EUR 94 million that the government was supposed to pay under a Paris court decision.

[Mina]

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

TRIAL ON CASE FOR VIOLENCE AT SKOPJE SQUARE

National.

The trial of those involved in the violence that broke out last March during the protests against building of a church on the Skopje's main square, continued today.

According to the media, the police filed reports against 12 students protesting against construction of the church, and against 9 of the counter-protesters, who attacked the students.

If found guilty, the defendants are facing fines of up to 1,000 euros.

[Mina]

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

Thursday, July 02, 2009

COSMOFON AND ON.NET TO MERGE

National.

Macedonian mobile operator Cosmofon and fixed-line network operator and ISP On.net, both owned by Telekom Slovenije, will be integrated by the end of this year into one company under a single name.

This has been announced by Cosmofon’s CEO Olivier Poncin. Personnel coordination will be carried out after the merger, along with reorganization and analysis of responsibilities.

It is unknown for now how many people would need to go. The new provider will launch digital TV in September, Poncin anounced.

[Mina]

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

MACEDONIA - TURKEY: AGREEMENT ON DIAGONAL CUMULATION

National.

The implementation of the Agreement on Diagonal Cumulation of Origin for merchandise exchanged by Macedonia and Turkey will begin today.

The preferential free trade agreement is especially important for Macedonian companies in the textile industry and for the other companies that use raw materials. It will enable the implementation of zero tariff rates on Macedonian products manufactured with raw materials that originated in Turkey, when they are imported by EU countries.

All branches of the economy will benefit from the arrangement, with the exception of agriculture and the steel industry. What diagonal cumulation means for the textile industry is that the two stages of processing before getting the final product will be not needed anymore.

Prepared fabric could be imported from Turkey, processed in Macedonia and at the end exported in EU duty-free.

[Mina]

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

1.7 PERCENT DEFLATION

National.

The costs of living in Macedonia decreased by 1.7% percent in June 2009 compared with June 2008.

According to the data of the State Statistical Office, the costs of living in June compared against May 2009 saw an identical fall of 1.7% percent.

The 1.7% reduction of the living costs is mainly a result of the lowered prices indexes in vegetables by 36.0%, then eggs (3.4%), fresh milk and yoghurt and vegetable oils (0.9%), dairy products (0.7%), meat and meat products (0.5%), wheat products and processed and canned vegetables (0.4%) and fish (0.2%).

The consumer basket for food and non-alcoholic beverages per four-member household stood at 11.986 denars in June 2009, calculated on the basis of retail prices. The consumer basket is down 7.7 percent comparing to previous month, the Office said.

[Makfax]

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

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

CAB DRIVERS DROVE 89 MILLION KILOMETERS IN 2008

National.

The licensed taxi drivers across Macedonia transported more than 38,5 million passengers last year, passing a total of 89 million kilometers, the State Statistical Office reported Tuesday.

Statistical office reported that as much as 2,385 automobiles from 130 taxi companies have been encompassed in the survey.

During 2008, each taxi on average has traveled 37,334 kilometers, with each passenger traveling an average of 2,5 kilometers.

[Mina]

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

MACEDONIA - UK TO COOPERATE AGAINST FINANCIAL CRIME

National.

The Anti-Money Laundering Directorate signed a Memorandum on cooperation with the UK financial intelligence unit.

The signing of the Memorandum is another step forward within the excellent cooperation between the two countries in the fight against organized crime, Macedonia's Directorate for Suppression of Money Laundering and Funding Terrorism said in a statement.

British Embassy recently provided technical assistance to the Directorate, whose staff underwent training courses in i2 Analyst Notebook investigative analysis software. The aim of the course was to provide the staff with the skills to operate the i2 Analyst Notebook software package - the benefits of charting in a law enforcement environment and ability to construct legible charts from information received and in accordance with analysis principles.

[Makfax]

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

MACEDONIA EXPECTS AFFIRMATION OF COMMITMENT FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP

National.

A high-ranking delegation of the Macedonian government will take part in a meeting with the North-Atlantic Council, which will mark the completion of the 10th cycle of the Macedonia's Membership Action Plan.

NATO Secretary General, Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, will chair the meeting, which will be attended by the Macedonian Foreign and Defense Ministers Antonio Milososki and Zoran Konjanovski.

From the meeting in Brussels, Macedonian government expects affirmation of the commitment for the country's membership in the Alliance.

According to the agenda, the foreign minister is scheduled to meet with the NATO secretary general ahead of the meeting.

[Makfax]

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