Macedonia Daily.org

OREGON STATE ATHLETES ON A MISSION TO MACEDONIA

2011-06-02T17:43:00.003+02:00

National.

On June 12 a group of 15 student athletes of the Oregon State University from Corvalis, Oregon, USA will go on a mission to Macedonia to help build a house for a family of five. The project is organized by the 'Beavers Without Borders' group in cooperation with the Habitat for Humanity. Beavers is the nickname of the university's athletic program, the Oregon State Beavers.

The 15 students will stay for ten days in Macedonia where they will help build a home in Staro Nagoricane, Kumanovsko. The 15 athletes are;

Dominic Glover - American Football
Kristen Carmichael - Football (Soccer)
Roberto Nelson - Basketball
Mary Claire Benner - Softball
Joe Burton - Basketball
Howard Croom - American Football
Brian Watkins - American Football
Kevin McShane - Basketball
Garett Hall - American Football
Mike Hann - Rowing
Hannah Soza Hodgkinson - Track
Ryan McCants - American Football
Daniel Migas - Rowing
Krista Stangel - Track
Jennifer Kesler - Gymnastics

'Beavers Without Borders' have done similar projects in Guatamala and future projects are planned in Cambodia, Honduras and also in recent tornado destroyed cities of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Joplin, Missouri.

Check out the video below and visit the links to find out more about this great project.

[Beavers Without Borders]

[Habitat Macedonia]

[Kevin McShane]

[MD]

SKOPJE ZOO WELCOMES THREE NEWLY BORN SIBERIAN TIGERS

2011-04-18T11:22:00.002+02:00

National.

The Skopje Zoo welcomed three newly born Siberian tigers this morning at 9am. Sponsor of the newly reconstructed tiger's living quarters is former Skopje mayor Trifun Kostovski. He will have the honors of naming one of the tigers.

The Siberian tigers are considered an endangered species, with only 350-400 living in the wild.

MD: This is pretty special. It does not happen too often for new Siberian tigers to be born in captivity, especially not in Southeastern Europe.

[Kirilica]

RECONSTRUCTION OF OHRID AIRPORT COMPLETED

2011-04-09T13:33:00.001+02:00

National.

Turkish-based international company “TAV” has completed the reconstruction of the Ohrid-based airport “St. Paul the Apostle”.

The opening ceremony is set to be held on Sunday. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Head of “TAV” Sani Sener will address the attendees.

„TAV Airports Holding“ took over Macedonian airports in March 2010.
The reconstruction of Skopje-base airport will be completed in October.

They plan to invest around 200 million euros.

[Mina]

2 MILLION FOR VINE GROWERS

2011-04-09T13:29:00.002+02:00

National.

Vine growers received today their subsidies for the purchased grapes, said Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski during Friday's visit to Negotino.

"The total amount is approximately EUR 2 million, allocated to vine growers in Negotino, Kavadarci, Strumica, Sveti Nikole etc", said Stavreski.

Pertaining to latest statistical data on the trade deficit, he assessed as favorable that the deficit is aimed at financing investments and import of machinery and equipment, which indicates the economy's awakening.

"It would not be good if the deficit is reflected on personal consumption, i.e. import of commodities for personal consumption. In this case, there is import of machinery, equipment and other goods which demonstrates that Macedonian companies expect the economy to rise and import commodities that stimulate export", added Stavreski.

[Idividi]

DIASPORA MONEY EXCEEDS FDI BY 60%

2011-04-04T17:59:00.002+02:00

National.

Private money transfers from Macedonians working abroad reached 1.366 billion euros in 2010, latest data from the Central Bank show.

This is some 230 million euros more than in 2009 and 380 million euros more than in 2008.

By comparison, Macedonia attracted only 222 million euros in Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, in 2010.

Most money comes from Macedonian communities in Australia, Canada, Switzerland and Italy, the data show. Macedonians employed in Afghanistan and Dubai are also contributing significantly to the total sum.

Local economic experts say the value of private money transfers is probably larger than data suggest, as some is sent in cash form and not registered by the authorities.

Experts note that private transfers of this kind make up some 20 per cent of the country’s GDP, feeding the country with fresh money and defending the stability of the national currency, the denar.

Some experts say more effort needs to be invested in mobilizing this significant financial resource, by encouraging the diaspora to invest its money in the local economy.

"The authorities should offer these people the same benefits they offer foreign investors,” Abdulmenaf Bexheti, an economics professor at the University of South-Eastern Europe, in Tetovo, says.

Macedonia's foreign trade deficit neared 1.51 billion euros in 2010. Exports covered only 60 per cent of the value of imported goods that year.

The country ended last year with minimal economic growth of just over 1 per cent. The government hopes it will reach 5 per cent in 2012 and 2013, matching the rate before before the global crisis struck in 2008.

The world downturn has crippled the country’s flagship metal and construction industries, which are responsible for much of the country’s exports.

No exact data exist on how many families in Macedonia subsist on the support of relatives working abroad but some experts suggest the likely figure is well over 100,000 families.

MD: And yet so many Macedonians still see the diaspora in a negative way as 'those who left'.

[BInsight]

GRUEVSKI CALLS JUNE ELECTIONS

2011-04-04T17:00:00.000+02:00

National.

Gruevski must now submit his proposal to parliament, which will dissolve itself and officially set the date for polls, both mere formalities because Gruevski's ruling VMRO DPMNE holds an overwhelming majority in the assembly.

“The elections will be fair, free and democratic. Those who try to obstruct them will be fiercely punished by the institutions,” Gruevski said, adding that he is confident in election victory.

The prime minister made the announcement at a press conference in Skopje on Wednesday, just hours after the main opposition party dropped its demands for the poll.

Earlier on Wednesday, Social Democrat leader Branko Crvenkovski told Gruevski in his own press conference: “You just state the day of elections and we are there”.

The party said it had withdrawn its demands that certain conditions be met before elections are held, though it did not end its boycott of parliament.

The opposition and the ruling party had reached agreement on the need for fresh elections, but could not agree on a date for the polls.

In addition, the Social Democrats had asked for a revision of the voters list and the electoral units in order to ensure a fair election process and eliminate possibility for fraud, as well as the adoption of a law that would prevent the state from favouring certain media outlets by directing all its advertisement money to them.

In meetings last week, opposition and government leaders reached agreement in principle on those three demands.

Prime Minister Gruevski could not agree to a third demand- the unfreezing of the bank account of A1 TV, a critically inclined media that the opposition claims Gruevski wants to shut down- saying he cannot influence the court.

“On one hand, you will have your laws, your electoral roll, your media and your money for buying votes but we will win because we have the people on our side,” Crvenkovski said on Wednesday.

The opposition began a parliament boycott in late January. It has since increased calls for early elections, blaming Gruevski’s VMRO DPMNE for curbing democracy and media freedom and stalling the country’s economic and political progress.

Gruevski has been in power since 2006. He further strenghtened his position after winning a landslide victory at the 2008 snap polls.

[BInsight]

MACEDONIA URGED TO RETHINK IT'S NUCLEAR PLANS

2011-04-04T16:05:00.000+02:00

National.

The Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, DOM, a minor party in the ruling coalition, says it is filing a resolution to parliament this week aimed at halting plans to build a new nuclear plant.

Macedonia’s current energy strategy envisages investing in nuclear power to overcome electricity shortages.

“We will ask for a revision of the national energy strategy and want to see a permanent moratorium on all nuclear energy plans,” the party spokesperson, Toni Ristov, told Balkan Insight.

Roughly one-third of Macedonia’s electricity comes from imports. Experts say the country needs new capacities if it does not want to become entirely dependent on outside power.

Ristov also announced the formation of a Balkan-wide "green" coalition with the same goal, amid reports of new initiatives to build nuclear plants in neighbouring Bulgaria, Albania, Turkey and elsewhere.

Macedonia’s main ruling party, VMRO DPMNE, and the main opposition Social Democrats, say they need more time to decide whether to support the resolution.

“The government has not reached any decision on possible investment in nuclear energy, although this remains an option in the national strategy,” government spokesperson Martin Martinovski told Balkan Insight.

Macedonian authorities last year mulled plans to invest in Bulgaria's nuclear power plant at Belene in order to solve its power shortage. Some local experts, on the other hand, urge Macedonia to build its own nuclear power plant in the southern Mariovo region.

Meanwhile, energy experts fear a severe shock for the country’s electricity-dependent industry and households after electricity prices on world markets skyrocketed following Japan’s nuclear threat.

Before the Japanese disaster, a MWh of electricity on the world market sold for an average of 50 euros. The average price is now 63 euros.

The catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that have crippled Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant have prompted many countries to rethink their nuclear energy plans.

The EU has ordered tests to check the safety of all reactors. Germany said last week that it will temporarily shut all seven of its nuclear reactors built before 1980. India also announced increased safety measures.

Nuclear power provides about a third of the electricity used by the EU's 27 nations. Only two nuclear power plants operate in the Balkans, at Cernavoda in Romania and at Krsko in Slovenia.

[BInsight]

NAUMOVSKI WELCOMES NEW EU AMBASSADOR

2011-03-12T16:07:00.002+01:00

National.

New EU Ambassador to Macedonia Peter Sorensen had his first official meeting with Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of European Affairs Vasko Naumovski on Friday.

“I specifically pointed out this to be my first statement after my arrival and after my introductory I want to point who will be our partner during our working”, EU Ambassador Sorensen said.

He said that his main goal will be getting Macedonia nearer to joining the European Union.

“The European Union continues with its support. In the following period the EU plans to spend about 98 million euros for this country. We continue to be active and we get back to work right after my introductory. I'm aware that the Secretariat did a very good job in the past and I''m sure they will do the same in the future. I'm here to support it”, Sorensen said.

Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of European Affairs Vasko Naumovski expects that the Danish diplomat will make personal efforts for a sooner start of accession talks with the EU.

Sorensen took office last week as head of the EU in Macedonia

[MakFax]

VEVCANI CARNIVAL COMING UP

2011-01-09T13:52:00.001+01:00

Culture.

The traditional Vevcani Carnival, which claims a 14 century long legacy, is held every year from 13 to 14 January in the southwestern Macedonian village of Vevcani.
Recognized by the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC), the carnival attracts thousands of both domestic and international visitors to see the people of Vevcani disguised in elaborate masks expressing humor and sarcasm. Some of the most common costumes include devils, demons and other mythical characters.

For over 1,400 years the Vevcani Carnival has been an interesting mix of paganism and modernism. The home setting of the carnival events is the village of Vevcani, which turns into a boundless theater, where each house and street is a scene on which disguised people perform plays like real actors.

A novelty of this year's festival edition is the New Year's bazaar for craftsmen and souvenir producers.

"One should attend the carnival and feel the Vevcani spirit and humour, where no one is forgiven, be it famous or common person", Liljana Popovska, chairperson of the Vevcani Carnival Board, told a press conference.

Official figures show that around 60,000 visitors attended the carnival in the past three years, each of them spending at least 10 euros. The event made a 600.000 euro boost to the country's economy.

This year's Vevcani Carnival is organized by Tetragon, association for alternative tourism "Balkanika" and association "Denica", along with the support from T-Home, ministries of culture and economy.

[MakFax]

DENSE FOG CLOSES SKOPJE AIRPORT

2011-01-09T13:49:00.001+01:00

National.

Almost all scheduled takeoffs and landings at Alexander the Great airport in Skopje have been cancelled due to dense fog.

Only one plane took off at 08:00 a.m. for Zurich. Flights for Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb, Belgrade, Podgorica and Bursa have been cancelled.

Fog also prevented planes from Budapest, Zurich, Bursa and Vienna to land. Some of them have returned and some have been redirected toward the Ohrid airport.

Officials from the Skopje airport say that air traffic will be normalized as soon as weather conditions allow it.

The fog so far causes no major problems on highways in the country. There are good driving conditions throughout the country without any prohibition or restriction for all types of motor vehicles on mainly wet highways in the morning.

Drivers are advised to drive carefully and with low speed, to keep adequate distances between vehicles on roads linking Veles - Stip (up to 100 meters of visibility), Prilep-Kicevo (50 meters), Prilep-Krusevo (30-50 meters), Skopje-Veles (30-50 meters), Negotino-Veles (50-100 meters).

[MIA]

TRAILER OF MILCO MANCEVSKI'S NEW FILM 'MOTHERS'

2010-10-14T15:58:00.004+02:00

National.

Watch the trailer of Milco Mancevski's new movie, 'Mothers' (Majki).

[YouTube]

19 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SEND LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA IN SUPPORT OF MACEDONIA'S NATO MEMBERSHIP

2010-10-02T12:28:00.003+02:00

National.

19 Members of Congress sent a letter today to President Barack Obama urging him to actively encourage the United States’ NATO allies to offer Macedonia a formal invitation to become a member of the alliance at the Lisbon Summit this upcoming November. Led by Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-North Dakota) and Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-Michigan), the letter stated “Macedonia’s future in Euro-Atlantic institutions, as well as the security and stability of Southeast Europe, must no longer be negatively affected by bilateral issues with Greece.”

Copies of the letter were sent to Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

The Members of Congress underscored Macedonia’s contributions to peace, democracy, stability, and security in Southeast Europe and elsewhere, making it clear “Macedonia is a close U.S. ally and has been acting as a de facto ally for some time.”

The Members of Congress drew attention to Macedonia’s commitment to U.S. and NATO-led international missions being a key staging area for NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999, participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2008, and being among the top four largest troop contributors per capita to ISAF, where Macedonia’s troops patrol the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. Click HERE for full text of letter.

United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is grateful to Congressman Pomeroy and Congresswoman Miller for taking the initiative in increasing Congressional support for Macedonia’s NATO membership, which is one of UMD’s top policy priorities. UMD praises all 19 members of Congress for standing behind Macedonia’s goals to join the Euro-Atlantic family of nations, and greatly appreciates their friendship.

Among the members of Congress who signed the letter are Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee; Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Florida), the Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission; Congressman Connie Mack (R-Florida), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-Missouri), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight.

The letter to President Obama comes at a special time in light of the visit of Macedonian Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski to Washington, D.C. early next week where he is to meet with Secretary Gates, Senior Obama Administration officials and Members of Congress. Last year, a similar letter was sent to Secretary of State Clinton by 15 members of Congress. Click HERE for full text of letter.

UMD commends the efforts of all Macedonian-American organizations, community leaders, fellow Macedonian-Americans, and American friends of Macedonia for all their hard work in educating members of Congress about the issues concerning the Macedonian-Americans. In addition, UMD thanks the Embassy of Macedonia for their hard work in advancing U.S.-Macedonian relations. UMD fully supports Macedonia’s efforts to join NATO.

Founded in 2004, United Macedonian Diaspora is a leading international non-governmental organization addressing the interests and needs of Macedonians and Macedonian communities throughout the world.

UMD's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C., and it has representatives serving Macedonian communities around the world, including Brussels, Canberra, Chicago, Detroit, Kiev, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, New York, Ottawa, Paris, Perth, St. Petersburg, Stuttgart, Sydney, Toronto, and Vienna.

[UMD]

EAGLEBURGER: GREECE HAS NO HISTORIC RIGHT TO DISPUTE OVER MACEDONIA'S NAME

2010-09-23T13:48:00.001+02:00

National.

The name dispute is unnecessary and unfounded, since Macedonia was called the same in the time of former Yugoslavia and this did not cause any problems then, says former U.S. Secretary of State, Lawrence Eagleburger.

"The country that is now named Macedonia was called the same during its existence as a republic within the former Yugoslavia. Did this fact lead to serious problems between Greece and Yugoslavia or between Greece and the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? There were misunderstandings now and then, but they never reached a point when they would pose a threat to peace in the region. Is there anything more immature and more foolish than 'blackmailing' a nation by denying its membership in international organizations, which goal is to preserve the peace and protect their members from aggression of non-members", says Eagleburger in an interview with NTV station.

Pertaining to Greek accusations that Macedonia is creating 'antiquisation', Eagleburger stresses it has no right to make the antique Macedonian history its own.

"Greece claims that Macedon or Macedonia, as well as Alexander of Macedonia are its own. This is a false claim and it is time someone confirms this. The Antique Greeks considered Macedonia a half-civilized region, representing a source of raw materials and nothing more. Macedonia's rise in the time of Phillip and his son Alexander was greeted with opposition, resulting in a defeat of several cities. Phillip and Alexander were considered tyrants who destroy Greeks' freedom. The claims of modern Greeks that the antique kingdom of Macedon was their own ignores a historic fact", adds Eagleburger.

Due to these facts, he cannot accept the validity of Greece's request for ownership of name Macedonia.

"Ancient Greeks had never been eager in claiming Macedonia was theirs and they never accepted either Phillip or Alexander as their own legitimate rulers. The Greek claim about Macedonia is based on historically incorrect information and are therefore not fact-based", says the former U.S. Secretary of State.

Eagleburger has sympathies for the Macedonian people, although he realizes it is not wise for a foreigner to interfere with internal affairs of two states.

"However, my excitement from the strength of character that the Macedonian people has demonstrated in the course of this debate justifies the fact of my taking sides", underlines Lawrence Eagleburger in the NTV interview.

[MIA]

TIËSTO LIKES A FLAG, GREEKS GO CRAZY

2010-09-09T14:39:00.007+02:00

National.

Recently, the world's most famous DJ, Tiësto, the kind young man as he is, put up a photograph of the Macedonian flag(pictured at the right) on his facebook profile with a comment underneath which said; I like the Macedonian flag. Macedonian Tiësto fans were suprised and flattered to see that photo and to see that Tiësto likes our flag. That made many Macedonians even a little proud of course.

But then, the Greeks... aah well, the Greeks were just being the Greeks. That means a bunch of hysterical trouble makers. When the Greeks on facebook noticed he had put up the flag, Tiësto got so many hateful comments on his profile. Soon the facebook profile of Tiësto turned into a political hatred forum with a very heated discussion full of insults towards Macedonia and towards Tiësto.

Probably because of that Tiësto or his management decided to remove the photo from his photo album. Why? Isn't that ridiculous? Tiësto just wanted to post a picture and to share something. He doesn't give a damn about the political issues, he probably doesnt even know what it's all about. The nice guy just likes a flag!

That spotlight was quickly turned off because of the well known Greek hysteria. That hysteria has even become so worse that Tiësto can't even post a normal picture anymore and because of that hysteria, we Macedonians can't even enjoy being in the spotlight a bit and enjoy seeing Tiësto liking our flag.

Of course its a small example but it clearly shows how ridiculous this is. They forced Tiësto to take the photo down. For how long will this cultural genocide go on?

[MD]

MACEDONIA CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY

2010-09-08T13:22:00.002+02:00

National.

The Republic of Macedonia celebrates Wednesday its 19th anniversary since the successful referendum, at which Macedonian citizens voted for independent and sovereign state.

A convincing majority exceeding 95 percent of citizens who came out at the referendum on September 8, 1991 responded positively at the referendum question - 'Are you in favor of independent Macedonia with the right of its accession in a future alliance of sovereign Yugoslav states?'

The results from the referendum were preceded by the adopted Declaration for Independence at the first multi party Macedonian Parliament on January 25, 1991.

The will of the people for independent state was confirmed with the declaration for acceptance of the results from the referendum on September 18, 1991 at the Macedonian Parliament.

The next important step in strengthening of the state was the adoption of the Constitution on November 17, 1991, which was supplemented after the 2001 conflict and signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

The international-legal status of the state was definitely confirmed by an acclamation of the United Nations General Assembly on April 8, 1993, when Macedonia was admitted as the 181st full-fledged UN member. However, due to Greece's opposition and pressure regarding the constitutional name, the UN accession was carried out under interim reference Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Talks for overcoming of the name dispute are still ongoing under UN auspices.

Macedonia today has already established diplomatic relations with 160 states worldwide and is recognised under its constitutional name by 125 countries, three of which members of the UN Security Council - China, Russian Federation and the USA.

The 19 years of Macedonia's independence did not pass without problems and difficulties. Three-digit inflation at the beginning of the 1990s, the Greek embargo, Kosovo refugee crisis and 2001 conflict were real challenges and threats to a young Macedonian state which hindered her way in accomplishing the strategic goals - strengthening of democracy and integration in Euro-Atlantic structures. In 2005 Macedonia gained EU candidate status. Process of approximation of Macedonian legislation with EU legislation, power decentralisation and defence reforms marked recent years.

Despite meeting all criteria for full-fledged membership in NATO at the Bucharest Summit in April 2008, the Republic of Macedonia received only conditional membership invitation after Greece - due to the name dispute - used the right of veto and blocked the accession.

Macedonia celebrates its 19th anniversary in light of the new report from Brussels on the country's progress on the road to European integration, as well as date for start of EU membership talks.

Independence Day is celebrated with numerous ceremonies and events. Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski organised reception Tuesday evening in the parliament and the Macedonian Army marked Independence Day by firing 10-gun salute in Skopje's Ilinden barracks.

Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski and MANU President, the academician Georgi Stardelov will address Wednesday evening the formal academy marking the September 8, Macedonia's Independence Day.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIAN KALLINIS SISTERS WITH THEIR OWN TV SERIES

2010-07-17T00:12:00.004+02:00

Diaspora.

TLC's Summer slate just got sweeter with the arrival of DC CUPCAKES, the latest treat in the network's growing menu of food-themed programming. Premiering with back-to-back episodes on Friday, July 16, at 10 PM (ET/PT), the six-part series follows sisters and business partners Sophie LaMontagne and Katherine Kallinis of Macedonian heritage as they run Georgetown Cupcake, a small cupcakery that they've transformed into a sweeping success.

Sophie and Katherine risked their life savings and traded high-powered careers in fashion and finance to pursue their passion for baking and their lifelong dream of opening a bakery. Armed with their grandmother's recipes and strong family support, the sisters opened Georgetown Cupcake on Valentine's Day 2008. To their surprise, the shop became an overnight sensation and now sells more than 5,000 cupcakes a day.

DC CUPCAKES shares the recipe to Sophie and Katherine's sweet success, following their journey as they navigate the challenges and rewards of building a booming cupcake business. Each half-hour episode goes beyond the frosting to capture the behind-the-scenes drama in their fast paced, family-owned bakery. From baking and decorating thousands of gourmet cupcakes a day, to meeting tight deadlines for discerning clientele, to securing large projects such as fundraisers, festivals and weddings, there is never a dull moment with this sister duo.

Mixing in their Mother ("Mommy") — who plays a big part in running the family business — adds to the chaos and family drama. The other staff members are as colorful as their cupcake creations — their small workspace, sprinkled with the high volume of business, leads to family bickering and staff tension that has more icing flying through the air than on the cupcakes.

[Georgetown Cupcake]

[TLC]

WORLD FOLK ENSEMBLES GATHER IN OHRID

2010-07-05T11:42:00.001+02:00

Culture.

The 49th edition of Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and Dances, including ensembles from the Balkans, but also from the entire world, will be held in Ohrid on July 6-11.

The festival opens Tuesday with an all-evening concert of national ensemble of folk dances and songs "Tanec" from Skopje.

The program also includes performances by ensembles and cultural-artistic clubs from Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Australia.

The festival was established in 1962, originally titled Ohrid Festival of Amateur Folk Songs and Folk Bands. In 1967, the festival was restructured and has since hosted vocal and instrumental bands and solo singers presenting their authentic folk creations and traditional culture through horas, songs, rites, traditional clothes, local costumes, traditional musical instruments, and handicrafts.

The Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and Dances is a member of two UNESCO organizations - the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF), and the International Organization for Folklore Art (IOFA).

[Idividi]

PRESIDENT IVANOV CONGRATULATES US INDEPENDENCE DAY

2010-07-05T11:40:00.001+02:00

National.

President Gjorge Ivanov sent note of congratulations Sunday to Barack Obama on the US Independence Day, extending best wishes for prosperity and welfare of American state and people.

I use the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Republic of Macedonia to nourishing the traditional friendship with the United States, as well as to its full-fledged NATO membership, where we shall keep building our in numerous occasions proven partnership, Ivanov say in his note.

He also praises the US engagement in realizing the objectives both countries have been aspiring to, such as the efforts for global peace, security, economic prosperity and democracy.

The joint engagement of armed forces in international peace missions demonstrates the strong commitment of both countries to combating international terrorism, the note reads.

Ivanov also extends gratitude to Obama, US on their support of Macedonia's EU, NATO accession processes, saying that Skopje has been taking active, constructive part in the process for reaching mutually acceptable solution to the name dispute with Greece the only obstacle to Macedonia's EU, NATO membership.

We believe that you will keep supporting Macedonia, so that the country could take the place its deserves in the North-Atlantic Alliance, which is in favour of everybody, Ivanov says.

[Idividi]

GREEK FOOTBALL CLUB TO PLAY IN MACEDONIAN LEAGUE?

2010-06-24T10:39:00.002+02:00

National.

Football supporters of Greek first division club Iraklis staged a protest against Greece's FA for taking away Iraklis' license. Iraklis is one of Greece's oldest clubs, founded back in 1908, but will not be allowed to compete in this year's super league.

The protest took an unexpected turn when numerous fans showed up with Macedonian flags. Surprisingly, the flags were not burned rather the fans alluded to Greece's FA it would be better for Iraklis to compete in Macedonian First League, rather than the Greek super league.

Comments posted on Facebook also saw the Macedonian flag as a 'good move' for Iraklis.

"Recently we got a unofficial proposal by one of our neighboring countries. I want to ask you all now, from all of Greece. If Iraklis get's what it got on the field, and will lose on paper, from this country, the country who again dared to do injustice on the cost of Iraklis, and accepts the previous mentioned proposal and compete in Skopje, will the members of parliament of the political world then deal with this for days long, from morning until the evening?", a fan said on a television show.

"Why sir minister, responsible for sport, don't you transfer the historical club Iraklis to compete in the Skopje league? The change the seat of the club to the Boris Trajkovski arena in Skopje. That's what the people want. Because some 'big' Greeks fight for proving that Macedonia is Greek? But, Thyra 10 (the Iraklis fan base) raised Skopje flags in the center of Thessaloniki. Do this favor for them: send them to compete in the Skopje football league, so they can play with FC Vardar, FC Rabotnicki and Teteks from Tetovo. They want it themselves.

Send the application to: www.ffm.com.mk" ,a letter says, sent to the Greek minister of sport.

Iraklis fans have planned for today to stage a protest in Athens as well.

[Mina/Kanal5]

OHRID SUMMER FESTIVAL PRESENTS PROGRAM

2010-06-24T10:00:00.000+02:00

Culture.

The concert of world-renowned Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski, accompanied by the Russian National Orchestra, under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev, will open this year's 50th edition of Ohrid Summer festival in the Antique Theatre on July 12.

The festival's jubilee edition will offer numerous events with domestic and foreign artists, ensembles, soloists, chamber structures, theatre and ballet performances.

Up to August 20, visitors will see 25 concerts, 13 theatre plays, one ballet performance and one opera gala-concert.

The music section is comprised of tours by world-renowned names, such as violinist Julian Rachlin, pianists Peter Laul, Nikolai Lugansky, Ramzi Yassa and Denis Matsuev, as well as numerous artists from Switzerland, Serbia, Russia, Austria, Albania, Slovenia, Germany, Egypt, Hungary and Czech Republic.

Domestic musicians will hold eight concerts, including the Macedonian Philharmonic, Youth Chamber Orchestra, Macedonian Opera and Ballet etc.

The dramatic part includes eight Macedonian theatre performances and five tours.

The complete Ohrid summer program can be found at the link below.

[Ohrid Summer Festival]

[Mina/Kanal5]

GAZPROM AGREES TO MAKE MACEDONIA PART OF SOUTH STREAM

2010-06-18T20:59:00.000+02:00

National.

The Gazprom press service told the ITAR-TASS news agency that the Russian energy holding has agreed to make Macedonia part of the South Stream gas-transporting system.

This will enable Macedonia to buy the fuel more cheaply, said the Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov during his talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in the framework of the ongoing Economic Forum in St. Petersburg on Friday.

South Stream is due to diversify Russia’s gas supplies to Europe, and it will be laid across the Baltic Seabed to Varna, Bulgaria, and then across Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia to Italy and Austria.

The gas pipeline is due to be commissioned in December 2015. Investment in the project is estimated to make up 25 billion Euros.

[ruvr.ru]

CANADIAN PM STEPHEN HARPER'S MESSAGE TO UMD GLOBAL CONFERENCE

2010-06-18T00:34:00.003+02:00

Diaspora.

[United Macedonian Diaspora]

[UMD Global Conference Toronto 2010]

[UMD]

OVER 1000 GUESTS ATTENDED UMD GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN TORONTO

2010-06-18T00:26:00.002+02:00

Diaspora.

The 2nd Annual United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) Global Conference was a huge success, with over 1,000 Macedonians and friends of Macedonia attending from close to 20 countries from June 3-6, 2010. The closing Gala on Saturday, June 5, 2010 brought together over 500 guests to the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto to honor UMD Goce Delchev Award recipient Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, UMD Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and pillar of the Macedonian community John L.N. Bitove, C.M. and UMD Macedonia Friendship Award recipient Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multicultural Minister Jason Kenney...

Read more here.

[UMD]

UMD BOARD PASSES RESOLUTION ON NAME DISPUTE

2010-06-18T00:22:00.001+02:00

Diaspora.

The Board of Directors of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), on the occasion of UMD's Second Annual Global Conference, conducted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from June 3 – 6, 2010, affirming UMD's unwavering and consistent support for the Republic of Macedonia’s one and only constitutional and rightful name and UMD's rejection of attempts to change or impose any other name on the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian people passed a Resolution on June 6, 2010.

Read more here.

[UMD]

AUSTRALIANS DISCOVER 45 TONS OF GOLD IN MACEDONIA

2010-06-14T12:36:00.000+02:00

National.

Australian experts on mining and geology from the company Genesis Resources have established that some 45 tons of gold, 8,000 tons of silver and large amounts of copper can be found on the location Plavica, which is situated in the area of Macedonian districts Probistip and Kratovo. The Australian company participates in the contract with Kratovo-based company Sileks with 62 percent.

Assessment of economic justifiability of the profitable mining project will start soon. It is worth adding that gold diggers came to Kratovo and Zletovo area already during the Roman times, and the Yugoslav government was interested in the location in the previous century.

[SEEtimes]

IVANOV: EU WITHOUT MACEDONIA, UNFINISHED STORY

2010-06-12T11:29:00.001+02:00

National.

The oldest continent is in dire need of the spirit of the visionaries and fathers of new Europe. We need Robert Schuman, Jean Monnet, Konrad Adenauer and all other creators of the vision for united Europe, said late Thursday President Gjorge Ivanov at the opening of Ohrid conference "20 Years after Germany's Unification: Lessons for United Europe", organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Skopje Office.

"Past experiences show that our region had lived in peace when in open space. Today, more than ever, our region needs what is called Pax Europeana (European Peace), which sees Europe as an open space with freedom of movement of people, ideas, capital and goods. An open space where tolerance and celebration of diversities rule, where all carry within their rights and identity", stressed President Ivanov.

According to him, Macedonia can contribute to the realization of the Pax Europeana vision through building and promoting the Macedonian model of inclusive democracy.

"The inclusive model as way of joint decision-making is a reality in the Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic and national communities in Macedonia have all the rights and freedoms known to the world. This is one of the pillars of our security, stability and economic prosperity, since it creates favorable conditions for internal peace, but also trust with neighbors", said Ivanov.

He emphasized that the European Union without the Balkans and Macedonia is like an unfinished story.

"EU should remain faithful to the great vision for a united and open continent. Therefore, we encourage our European partners to remain consistent to this idea, whereas Macedonia's EU accession should not be prevented", said Ivanov, adding that EU could learn a lot from the German unification, which represented a noble act of an extended arm.

The President stated the veto should not be abused for petty and selfish purposes.

"Each new abuse of the veto as principle of functioning among European, including Balkan states, is an anti-historic and anti-European act. If blockades are accepted as a new practice, they can cause a dangerous chain reaction of vetoes, which can drag us into the whirlpool of political anachronisms from the 19th century", added Ivanov.

He said the positive examples should be followed, such as the recent one between Slovenia and Croatia and the settlement of the bilateral border row.

"We will join the EU as Macedonian citizens, with our tradition, values and dignity", concluded Ivanov.

[Mia]

MACEDONIANS ABLE TO WATCH WORLD CUP ON THEIR PHONES

2010-06-12T11:15:00.000+02:00

National.

For the first time in Macedonia and in the Deutsche Telekom Group ever, before the beginning of the Football World Cup, in the spirit of the T brand and values, T-Home and T-Mobile are going to introduce the latest innovative solution in the telecommunications area - the 3 Screen offer.

The football fans are going to have an exclusive opportunity to watch the Football World Cup matches live, in high definition on MaxTV, on their mobile phones or via internet any time, any place.

The MaxTV users that have a TV set with HD support, but also via ADSL on web.maxtv.mk, www.idividi.com.mk, www.t-home.mk on their computer can watch the matches with a crystal clear picture that offers utter pleasure and excitement. In order to provide an opportunity to even larger number of citizens to watch the exciting Football World Cup matches in HD, T-Home has extended its promotional offer for all new users - three months MaxTV free-of-charge.

The users of T-Mobile, which is an exclusive partner of FIFA, will have an opportunity to enjoy watching all matches of the Football World Cup on their mobile phone for only MKD 100 by activating the respective package on 1464 or for 1 MKD per minute for standard mobile streaming. The customers will be able to check if their handset supports "life streaming" free of charge on www.t-mobile.mk/tv.

"Today we witness the latest telecommunication innovation launch in Macedonia. Macedonia is the first within the DT group worldwide! We are getting closer and closer to the huge and developed markets each day by bringing the latest innovation and trends to our market. And today we are even leading the international trends by offering a unique and unforgettable experience of the World Cup matches via HD TV, Internet and Mobile. For all who are not able to watch the matches in South Africa, we can bring the South Africa experience to them". - said Nikolai Beckers, CEO of Makedonski Telekom.

To bring the experience to even more fans, T-Home and T-Mobile are organizing the largest football public viewing event in Macedonia ever. It will be a unique experience with lots of entertainment for all who want to enjoy this great open air event in the City Park in Skopje.

[Mina]

MACEDONIA SUBMITTED REPLY TO INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

2010-06-10T12:33:00.000+02:00

National.

Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov submitted Wednesday to the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) Macedonia's reply to the Greek counter-memorial on the lawsuit filed by Macedonia against Greece for breaching the bilateral 1995 Interim Agreement by blocking its NATO membership invitation at the Bucharest summit.

- We appreciate this opportunity in the second stage of written memorials in the proceedings to file our response to the Court, which we highly respect for being the chief judicial organ of the United Nations. Greece should make the next step, which is to submit its written memorial by October 27 2010 at the latest, Dimitrov stressed while handing over the reply.

The team engaged in preparing the reply is made up of local and foreign experts as well as of Foreign Ministry staff.

Greece is set to file a written memorial regarding Macedonia's arguments to ICJ by Oct. 27. It will complete the written phase, after which the Court should decide when to schedule the oral phase of the process. In line with ICJ rules, the content of the written memorials remains confidential until the start of the oral hearing i.e. an appropriate ruling of the Court.

On November 17 2008, the Republic of Macedonia brought a case against Greece in relation to the implementation of Article 11 Paragraph 1 from the Interim Agreement signed on September 13 1995.

[Idividi]

ONE COMPUTER FOR EVERY STUDENT

2010-06-09T00:46:00.003+02:00

National.

NComputing, the world's largest and fastest growing desktop virtualization company, today announced it has strengthened its partnership with the Macedonian Ministry for the Information Society. NComputing is to provide an additional 60,000 virtual desktops for deployment in Macedonian schools. This brings the total number of NComputing virtual desktops in Macedonian schools to 200,000. The move further delivers against Macedonia's vision of providing One Computer for Every Student.

As a result of the partnership between the Government of Macedonia and NComputing, virtually every elementary and secondary school student in the nation now has access to his or her own classroom computing device. This is made possible by NComputing's multi-user virtual desktop software and low-cost virtual PC terminals.

NComputing Chairman and CEO, Stephen Dukker, officially made the announcement during his presentation to Eastern European ministers and education leaders at the ICT in Education Leaders Conference in Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia. As well as outlining the successful partnership between NComputing and the Macedonian Ministry for the Information Society, Dukker shared his vision of the worldwide impact and ongoing benefit of desktop virtualization.

The One Computer for Every Student initiative is the largest and most important education project undertaken in the 15-year history of the Republic of Macedonia," said Ivo Ivanovsky, Minister of Information Society of the Republic of Macedonia "Our goal is to build a knowledge-based economy in which our entire workforce is educated in using information and communication technology. By adopting NComputing's low-cost virtual PC technology, Macedonia is taking the lead in providing computer-based education for school children."

Said NComputing Chairman and CEO, Stephen Dukker, "Today's PCs are so powerful that even low-end machines are often used at less than 5% of capacity. NComputing takes the 95% unused capacity and transforms it into computing power that is then given to people who otherwise would not have access to a PC. This innovation not only delivers PC type environments at a fraction of the cost, it also massively reduces maintenance and energy costs. We are leading potentially the biggest revolution in PC availability and economics in history; and are able to do this by partnering with visionaries such as the Government of Macedonia."

About NComputing: NComputing, Inc. is the fastest growing desktop virtualization company in the world with over 20 million daily users in 140 countries. The company's award-winning, patented technology lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both energy consumption and e-waste.

[PRnewswire]

HEAT WAVE COMING UP

2010-06-09T00:43:00.002+02:00

National.

Weather experts say sunny and very hot weather will prevail in Macedonia in the next coming days, with temperatures as high as 39 degrees.

The heat wave will come from the northern parts of Africa, covering the Balkan Peninsula and Central Europe.

Hot weather and high temperatures will prevail throughout the beginning of next week and mercury will raise up to 39 degrees in southeastern Macedonia.

Direct exposure to sun, any strenuous activities should be avoided, people should stay indoors, while outside they should wear light clothes, hat and sunglasses; less food and more liquids should be taken, while alcohol and beverages with caffeine should be avoided... These are some of the measures recommended for protection from high temperatures, the Ministry of Health announced.

The measures decreasing risks from high temperatures are recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Institute for Public Health in accordance with the Action Plan for Protection of People's Health in Heat Waves.

[Mia]

CHARGES FILED AGAINST OSCE EMPLOYEE FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

2010-06-05T00:05:00.002+02:00

National.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI) filed criminal charges against a 38-year old man on Friday, employed in the OSCE Mission to Macedonia and holder of a diplomatic ID. The man is suspected of possessing child pornography in the computer system.

He left Macedonia on May 16 and has not returned yet. MoI is cooperating with Interpol in order for the suspect to be found and to be investigated whether it is a ring of exchange of child porn materials.

During a raid of his Skopje apartment, 300 videos of child pornography lasting up to eight hours and 30.000 photos have been found, amongst other things.

[Mia]

WASHINGTON TIMES: THE IRRESPONSIBLE NEIGHBOR

2010-06-04T23:58:00.002+02:00

National.

Whether you are a homeowner or a country, it is better to have responsible rather than irresponsible neighbors. Two of Greece's neighbors are Macedonia and Bulgaria. The Greek financial crisis is causing pain in both neighboring countries, but much more so in Macedonia, the Washington Times reads.

The OHRID Institute, a Macedonian free-market policy organization, and the Vienna, Austria-based Hayek Institute sponsored a conference in Skopje, Macedonia, last week, in which local and international government officials, private business leaders and scholars met to discuss the global financial situation and its impact on the Balkans.

Macedonia was part of Yugoslavia, having achieved its independence in 1991, yet its neighbor Greece continues to punish Macedonia for totally irrelevant historical events. The present land of Macedonia has been occupied by many peoples over the past few thousand years. In the popular mind, it is most often associated with Alexander the Great and his father Philip. The Greeks have an emotional attachment to the name and have a bordering province also named Macedonia, even though Slavic people have been the majority population for the last 1,300 years in the land that is now the country of Macedonia. Despite this, when Macedonia declared its independence from Serbia, the Greeks insisted that it could not be called Macedonia, and thus it was admitted to the United Nations with the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) - a rather awkward name for a country - which the Macedonians have refused to accept.

Most countries of the world, including the U.S., now recognize Macedonia by its chosen name, the Republic of Macedonia, but the Greeks continue to resist. The Greeks have blocked Macedonia's entrance into NATO and its full membership in the EU. (Any member state can blackball any new potential member in these and some other international organizations.) The "name dispute," however, has not kept Greece and Macedonia from actively trading with each other and engaging in normal commercial relationships, including considerable Greek investment in Macedonia. Yet the Greeks have put Macedonia in a jam because it is landlocked and also locked out of NATO and the EU. And now, the Greek financial crisis has resulted in a major drop in exports (12 percent of its traditional market) from Macedonia to Greece.

Bulgaria, which shares a border with Greece and Macedonia, is faring much better. It is a member of both NATO and the EU. While Greece has allowed its deficit-to-GDP number to rise to an unsustainable 125 percent, Bulgaria's debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world at only 15 percent. Eurozone members are supposed to keep their debt-to-GDP ratios below 60 percent. (Note: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and most of the other countries are in excess of that ratio, and thus are in no position to bail out the others.) Bulgaria is not yet fully on the euro even though its currency is pegged to it. Bulgaria has been running low deficits, but only in recent weeks has it allowed its deficit to rise above 3 percent. It can correct this with modest spending-rate reductions, provided the government shows more firmness and guts on the fiscal front.

In recent years, Bulgaria has achieved (up to this global recession) a very respectable, real per-capita economic growth rate of a bit more than 6 percent. Macedonia has not done as well, but even so has achieved a five-year compound annual growth rate of 4.7 percent. Both Macedonia and Bulgaria have continued economic reforms and are moving towards more economic freedom, unlike Greece. Bulgaria has benefited from having a highly active free-market policy organization - the Institute for Market Economics (IME) - which has been aggressive in promoting free-market reform.

Macedonia has greatly picked up its free-market-oriented reform effort during the last three years and has brought down the size of government to about 33 percent of GDP. A major reason for the faster economic growth rates in Macedonia and Bulgaria, as contrasted with stagnant Greece, is that both countries have adopted flat-rate income-tax regimes of 10 percent on both personal and corporate taxes. Greece, by contrast, has a maximum tax rate of 40 percent, which is now slated to go even higher as part of the international agreement for the financial rescue. Why anyone thinks the Greeks will now pay their taxes when the rate goes above 40 percent, given that they were unwilling to pay taxes at the current rate defies common sense and economic logic.

Both Macedonia and Bulgaria have tolerated too much corruption for many years, but the level of corruption in these countries is modest by Greek standards. Some of this corruption is a legacy of the sanctions placed on Serbia in the mid-1990s, which made it very profitable to smuggle goods through Macedonia and Bulgaria to Serbia - profitable enough to bribe government officials in Macedonia and Bulgaria to look the other way.

Greece, on the other hand, has received a free pass from the major countries of the EU for far too long. Its politicians lied for years about the fiscal health of the country and provided the international community with phony numbers. The taxpayers of Europe and even those in the U.S. will have to pay more, and the people of Macedonia and Bulgaria will face a shrinkage of their markets because of Greek irresponsibility.

It is ironic that the current policies of the U.S. and a number of European governments are the same as those that got Greece in trouble - including higher marginal tax rates. Yet, the U.S. and many Western European policymakers ignore the obvious fact that low-rate, flat-tax countries that have restrained spending are doing relatively better than others with profligate policies. What will it take to wake them up?

[Washington Times]

MACEDONIANS ON AID SHIP ALIVE AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN ISRAEL

2010-06-01T11:44:00.001+02:00

National.

Jasmin Rexhepi (28) and Sami Emini (57) from Skopje and 50-year old Sead Hasipi from Kumanovo are the three Macedonian nationals, who were on board on one of the ships carrying humanitarian aid attacked by Israeli forces in international waters nearby the Gaza Strip, are alive and are taken into custody in Israel.

Their relatives early Tuesday have been informed from the Macedonian Embassy in Israel that they will be deported to Turkey today or tomorrow together with detained passengers from humanitarian flotilla, and from there they will return to Macedonia. Turkish authorities confirmed the information for the fate of the Macedonian nationals.

On Monday, at least 19 people died and 26 are injured after Israeli commandos stormed a convoy of ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip.

[Idividi]

IVANOV ANNOUNCES PROJECTS FOR COOPERATION WITH QATAR

2010-05-31T12:16:00.002+02:00

National.

President Gjorge Ivanov on the sidelines of 10th Doha Forum, Monday met with Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Satisfaction from strengthening friendly relations and continuation of the dialogue at highest level between the two countries was expressed at the meeting.

They agreed that economic cooperation is what the countries should put an accent on and to maximize efforts in this direction in the following period, MIA correspondent reports.

Ivanov said that he remains committed to determination in creating more favourable environment through attraction of foreign investments. He announced that around 20 concrete projects for investing in Macedonia will be submitted to the cabinet of Emir of State of Qatar by end of this month. It is about projects for investment in hotels, malls, gas stations, gasoline storage terminals and other opportunities for direct investments of Qatar.

Emir of State of Qatar expressed satisfaction from such announcements and promised to personally urge Qatar Investment Authority to focus on opportunities for investments in the Republic of Macedonia. In context to deepening the excellent political relations as well as development of economic relations, the Emir of State of Qatar assured Ivanov that Embassy of Qatar to Skopje is planned to be opened in the following period.

Ivanov at the meeting pointed out that without political stability and security there is no economic prosperity, topic at which he will deliver an address at the Doha Forum 2010.

Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar will give a welcoming speech. Also Finnish President Tarja Halonen, Secretary General of the League of the Arab States Amr Moussa and Chairman of World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab will also deliver addresses.

Ivanov on Tuesday is scheduled to meet officials of the agency Qatar Investment Authority, which is global investor in all spheres and manages an estimated $65 billion.

[Mia]

VICE PREMIER: MACEDONIA'S ECONOMY IS STABLE

2010-05-31T12:13:00.002+02:00

National.

Macedonia's economy is stable in general, despite the fact that the crisis' effects are still present, Vice-Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski told reporters on Sunday.

The shortage of budget revenues will be addressed with a rebalance Pesevski said, pointing out that the upcoming budget rebalance would not have any influence on ongoing projects, but only coordinate the pace of spending and inflow of revenues.

The Government's economic policy is on the right track, which has been also confirmed by international financial institutions that rank the country among the best in the region, Pesevski said.

[Idividi]

AFFIRMATION OF MACEDONIAN LITERATURE IN EGYPT

2010-05-28T15:42:00.001+02:00

Culture.

Two new editions from the poetry work of contemporary Macedonian authors Trajan Petrovski and Branko Cvetkoski will be promoted May 28-29 in Egypt’s capital Cairo.

The poetry collections are translated by contemporary Egyptian poet and former participant at the Struga Poetry Evenings, Saed Gouda.

The books, published by “Nadvah Press”, will be promoted by renowned Egyptian poets, followed by a reception for our poets at the Egyptian Culture Council.

[Culture.in.mk]

EXHIBITION OF SULAJKOVSKI IN BERLIN

2010-05-28T12:00:00.000+02:00

Culture.

Painting exhibition of academic painter Toni Sulajkovski will open in Berlin-based gallery “Prima Center Berlin” on Friday evening at 20,00h.

Sulajkovski’s latest project titled “Intergalactic Reactions” contains 35 artworks in technique acrylic on canvass, with 24 displayed in Berlin.

This is Sulajkovski’s 44th solo show, inspired by the effects of changes occurring in space. The exhibition will be open until June 10.

[Culture.in.mk]

MACEDONIAN JEWS ERECT WORLD-CLASS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

2010-05-26T12:08:00.002+02:00

National.

The construction cranes, heavy machinery and plumes of dust in Skopje’s city center herald the final chapter in one of the Balkans’ saddest tales. After years of delays, Macedonia’s Jews are building a world-class museum to remember their near-extinction in the Holocaust.

“The highest percentage of Jews destroyed anywhere in the world — including Poland — was in Macedonia,” said Rahamin Mizrahi, vice president of the Jewish Community, a nonprofit overseeing the project. “It was 98 percent of the Jews. From our people, no one came back. At least with this museum they will have a grave, not ashes spread around the fields.”

“Final solutions don’t exist,” said Mizrahi. “You remember the war in Bosnia. You’ve seen what happened in Kosovo. This museum will teach the next generation — not us, because we know — that there is no final solution.”

The Holocaust Center also illustrates a recent trend in Macedonia to more strongly assert the country’s identity as an independent nation. The project dovetails conveniently, for example, with Skopje 2014, the government’s controversial, $273 million plan to transform the city from a provincial seat into a full-fledged European capital.

The center and Skopje 2014 are technically unrelated. But if the center is completed next year, as expected, and Skopje 2014 remains on schedule, the new center will eventually stand in a radically redesigned downtown, near a new Macedonian history museum, new national theater, a massive triumphal arch and other proposed monuments.

Taxpayers are footing the bill for Skopje 2014, making it a subject for public debate. The center’s costs, alternatively, are covered by a special fund created in 2000 from the assets of Macedonian Jewish families who perished in the Holocaust and left no heirs. But critics within the Jewish community nonetheless link the two, arguing the center’s backers are overreaching in the same way the government is trying to do too much with Skopje 2014.

“It’s become big, maybe too big,” said Samuel Sadikario, a former president of the Holocaust Fund, a quasi-public organization that administers the center’s budget. “Maybe such a project should be done in Poland.”

Located on a 30,000-square-foot parcel near the River Vardar, in Skopje’s former Jewish quarter, the Holocaust Memorial Center will commemorate the 7,200 souls sent to the Treblinka death camp in 1943, when Nazi-ally Bulgaria occupied Macedonia, then part of Yugoslavia. The $23-million center is slated to contain a museum, arts center and hotel.

About 220 Jews remain in Macedonia, too few to merit a grand center, said Sadikario. He thought the millions invested in the project might be better spent on Macedonia’s crumbling universities. He also noted that construction was supposed to finish two years ago, but has been repeatedly delayed by the Jewish leaders struggling to manage the project.

“There is no capacity,” Sadikario said. “Judaism is actually dying out in Macedonia. It’s not too much to say its dead.”

Despite their small numbers, Macedonian Jews keep alive a simmering dispute between them and Bulgaria, whose fascist government rounded up their relatives and neighbors on Adolf Hitler’s command.

The irony of that tragedy is that Bulgaria’s elite during World War II convinced the country’s then-king, Boris, to save Bulgaria’s 50,000 Jews from extermination, while Bulgarian troops sent about 11,300 Jews from Macedonia, northern Greece and south Serbia to concentration camps in Poland.

Today, Mizrahi is careful to make clear he has nothing personal against Bulgarians. “The Bulgarian Orthodox Church and intelligentsia rose and said ‘You are not going to deport our people,’” he said. “I want to make a difference between present-day Bulgarians and fascist Bulgaria under Tsar Boris.”

Bulgaria has yet to formally apologize for its actions. But Mizrahi hopes the buzz generated once the Holocaust Center is completed will persuade Bulgaria’s leaders to change their minds. That would bring an end to the last indignity Macedonian Jews continue to endure from the Holocaust, he said.

In an email, Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Vessela Tcherneva said Macedonia has not filed an official request for an apology. But that wasn’t the point, she added.

“It is … a question that is often discussed here in the light of Bulgaria’s moral responsibility for the tragic fate of the Macedonian Jews,” she wrote. “The Bulgarian state could not achieve what it did with its own Jewish population.”

[GlobalPost]

MACEDONIAN GORAN PANDEV WINS THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

2010-05-23T22:30:00.003+02:00

Sports.

Goran Pandev is the new Macedonian hero, the third Macedonian ever that has won the Champions League after his Inter defeated Bayern München with 2:0 at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Pandev played until the 78th minute.

After 45 years of waiting, Inter Milano is again on the top of the European football, and together with the rest of the Nerazzurri there is one Macedonian, the one and only Goran Pandev.

José Mourinho decided to put Pandev to play from the beggining and he did the right thing. Pandev played his new role on the left side with many difensive tasks, doubling Arjen Robben together with Cristian Chivu, but also being useful in the attack. He had one attemp on goal in the 47th minute when Hans-Jörg Butt saved his great shot. He suffered five fouls and together with Robben he was the most fouled player in the final. In the 78th minute he was substituited with Suley Muntari.

With the win in this Champions League final, Pandev became the third Macedonian with the title Champions League winner since legendary Darko Pancev and Ilija Najdoski did the same in 1991 with Serbian side Crvena Zvezda.

Since he joined Inter in January, this is his third trophy since in the past weeks he also won the Serie A and the Coppa Italia. Next season Pandev will have a chance to win another three trophies as Inter will play the UEFA Super Cup, the Supercoppa Italiana and the FIFA Clubs World Cup.

"I arrived here in January and it has been a marvellous season for me. I have settled in very well and I thank everyone. We played a great match tonight and we deserved to win this Champions League after knocking out Barcelona and Chelsea. Let's enjoy this trophy now and let's hope that Mourinho stays so we can win it again." - said Pandev for Rai Sport.

[MacedonianFootball]

CANADIAN PM STEPHEN HARPER TO RECEIVE UMD'S HIGHEST HONOR, THE GOCE DELCHEV AWARD

2010-05-22T14:30:00.003+02:00

Diaspora.

It is with distinct pleasure and privilege that the United Macedonian Diaspora announce it will honour The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, with UMD’s highest honour – the Goce Delchev Award – at the 2nd Annual UMD Global Conference Gala on June 5, 2010 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.

The Canadian-Macedonian community is extremely grateful for Prime Minister Harper’s bold and honourable leadership in international affairs. The high values and integrity of his policies are evident in Canada’s recognition of Macedonia’s constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia on September 19, 2007, and have solidified the relationship between Canada and Macedonia.

The first Macedonians immigrated to Canada over 100 years ago. They enriched Canada’s cultural mosaic with their hard work and their cultural legacy. Prime Minister Harper’s recognition of this history has earned our notice and commanded our respect. It is our community’s solemn wish to honour his accomplishments on June 5, 2010 as a token of our esteem and appreciation for his great contributions.

The Goce Delchev Award is UMD’s highest honor and the recipient of this award is selected based on the impact that they have had on Macedonians around the world, their record of public service, and their advancement of justice, peace, democracy, personal freedom and economic opportunity. The Goce Delchev Award is named after the famous 19th century Macedonian leader Goce Delchev who fought for Macedonian independence from the Ottoman Empire. Goce Delchev held views that are epitomized by his well-known quote, "I understand the world solely as a field for cultural competition among the peoples.”

The UMD Board of Directors unanimously nominated Prime Minister Harper as the first recipient of this award for his impact on Macedonia and Macedonians globally.

[United Macedonian Diaspora]

[UMD Global Conference Toronto 2010]

[UMD]

UMD GLOBAL CONFERENCE 2010 TORONTO COMING UP

2010-05-22T13:00:00.000+02:00

National.

Over 1,000 Macedonians and friends of Macedonia from 25 countries are expected to attend the 2nd UMD Global Conference in Toronto, Canada.

Will you be there?

This year's venue, the Sheraton Center Toronto Hotel, is where to be from June 3-5, 2010! The CAA/AAA Four Diamond Sheraton is in the center of it all, located in the financial and entertainment districts of Toronto and connected to the PATH - a 16-mile underground network of shops and services.

Here are a few highlights:

Discover Macedonia and its amazing tourism potentials
Learn how and why to do business in Macedonia
Hear experts discuss the role of the United Nations in Macedonia and human rights issues in Southeast Europe
Help preserve the Macedonian identity and language in today's modern global community
Watch a screening of A Name is A Name followed by a Q&A with the Director Sigurjon Einarsson and Producer Jason Miko
Honor Macedonians who are making a difference in the world
Enjoy a Cultural Evening featuring Macedonian artists from around the world
Connect, Network, and Build Partnerships with Macedonians and friends of Macedonia

Speakers:

All this and much more...at the 2nd UMD Global Conference in Toronto!

Register now!

The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2M9
(416) 361-1000

[United Macedonian Diaspora]

[UMD Global Conference Toronto 2010]

[UMD]

MACEDONIAN DELEGATION TO HONOUR ST.CYRIL IN ROME

2010-05-22T11:28:00.002+02:00

National.

A Macedonian state delegation led by Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski headed for Rome on Friday to attend the traditional manifestation “Macedonia Honouring St. Cyril.”

The official delegation includes coordinator of the representative group of VMRO-DPMNE, Silvana Boneva, deputy coordinator of the representative group of DUI, Safet Neziri, deputy coordinator of the representative group of SDSM, Marijanco Nikolov, deputy coordinator of the representative group of NSDP, LP and NA, Goran Misovski, Deputy FM Zoran Petrov, Deputy Culture Minister Dragan Nedeljkovic, Director of Commission for Religious Communities and Religious Groups in Macedonia, Valentina Bozinovska.

Veljanoski and members of the delegation Saturday will have an audience with the Pope Benedict XVI and will meet with State Secretary of the Holy See, the Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

Delegation will participate at the prayer at the tomb of St. Cyril in San Clemente basilica in Rome.

Veljanoski in the frames of the visit to Rome on May 25 will hold a meeting with the President of the Italian Parliament, Gianfranco Fini.

[Mia]

MACEDONIAN ASYLUM SEEKERS IN SWEDEN INCREASES

2010-05-22T11:26:00.001+02:00

National.

A total of 188 Macedonian nationals sought asylum in Sweden this year, MIA reports from Goteborg.

This trend was expected after Macedonia's EU visa-free regime entered into force on January 1.

This number represents a vast increase from the 86 asylum requests in 2009.

[Mia]

MACEDONIA AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

2010-05-17T13:00:00.004+02:00

National.

Macedonia has it's own stand on the Cannes film festival this year where the country, her potential and Macedonian films are promoted.

Macedonia as a destination for filming of movie scenes will be the direction towards which the Macedonian film funds, wants to offer our country. The stand is located in the pavilion together with the stands of other southeast european countries.

On tuesday there will a 'Day of Macedonia', when Macedonian movies will be shown and promotional commercials about the country.

A film project by Darko Mitrevski, 'Treto poluvreme (Third half)' was presented at the festival as part of the 42nd co-production forum, organised by the European Producers Club. The film was presented by producers, Robert Naskov and Gorjan Tozija and got a lot of attention of producers, agents and distributors from Germany, Italy, Finland, Argentina and Sweden.

[Kirilica]

MARRIOTT COMING TO SKOPJE

2010-05-15T12:48:00.000+02:00

National.

Marriott international company will build a “Marriott Skopje” hotel at Macedonia Square, an investment worth EUR 37 million.

Aleksandar Ivanovski, general manager of Develop Group and Erwin K. Carlton, chief manager for development for Europe of Marriott Hotels will sign Friday the agreement for building of the hotel.

The hotel, which will be build at an area of 20.000sqm, will have 180 rooms and 16 suites and one presidential suite, two lunch bars, spa centre and garden at the top floor.

The opening of Marriott Skopje is scheduled for 2013.

US Ambassador Phillip Reeker, Deputy PM Vladimir Pesevski and Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski will attend agreement-signing ceremony.

The construction of the hotel in Skopje is first investment of Marriott International in the Balkans. The company has 3.400 hotels in 70 countries.

[Mina]

US EXPECTS NAME ISSUE TO BE SOLVED BY OCTOBER

2010-05-15T12:47:00.001+02:00

National.

Washington is strongly interested in the maintenance of Macedonia's political and security stability, its successful integration to NATO and the launch of accession talks with the EU.

This was pledged Thursday by US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Gordon, who met with SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski. Gordon is also scheduled to meet with President Gjorge Ivanov and DUI leader Ali Ahmeti later in the day.

The United States deems that it is high time the name row with Greece involving the constitutional name of Macedonia to be overcome, which will contribute to the unblocking of country's Euro-Atlantic integration.

According to Crvenkovski, the period left till June was very short to settle the name issue and the process only needed to be kicked off.

- From the point of view of US, the next event which is probably is far more important is the NATO summit in October and early November in Portugal. By then, the process should finish, which means it has to start these days, said Crvenkovski.

Interlocutors at the meeting also discussed the multi-ethnic relations and the latest two police actions in which a significant amount of weapons had been seized.

[Idividi]

4 DEATHS IN POLICE ACTION AGAINST WEAPON SMUGGLING GANG

2010-05-13T11:40:00.002+02:00

National.

Here pictured is the Mercedes Sprinter van, heavily damaged by bullets, in which yesterday was used to transport weapons from Kosovo to Macedonia. The weapons were smuggled thru the illegal border crossing at the village of Dvorce on the way to Radusa by a gang of four criminals from Grcec, Merovo and Pristina.

The four men who were wearing black uniforms and automatic rifles did not manage to bring the weapons to the planned destination. They all died in a heavy shooting with the Macedonian police.

"The driver of the van did not follow the orders of the police and even before the criminals started shooting at the police so the police returned and in the shootout the four criminals have lost their lives", said Gordana Jankulovska, Minister of Interior Affairs.

The Police was informed that a group of criminals would pass by and transport guns. The police was searching vehicles and then the van passed by with registration plates of Prilep. They did not follow the police orders and started firing at the police.

"Last night around 2 am we heard gunfire, it lasted for about 5 minutes. It came from the side of the mountain at Svilare. We also heard a helicopter", said a citizen from the surrounding villages.

In the van, the police found a larger amount of grenades, automatic rifles, snipers, TNT explosives, hand bombs, mines, anti tank mines, boots, a map and emblems of the UCK.

3 of the 4 criminals have been identified. One of them has a international warrant for assault and was convicted to nine years for shooting at the police back in 2004 when he tried to help a terrorist escape.

[A1]

GOLDEN COINS FOUND AT SKOPJE FORTRESS

2010-05-13T10:00:00.000+02:00

Culture.

Archaeologists have unearthed at the Skopje Fortress a jug with 46 gold coins from the 13th century - when Skopje was ruled by John III Doukas - and 77 Venetian silver coins from periods of various rulers.

Manager of the excavations Dragi Mitrevski said the discovery was one of the most luxurious findings at the fortress and its importance laid in the fact that it determined the periods of rule in Skopje.

The coins determine the historical moment of the demolition of the Byzantine city and the moment when Serbs conquered Skopje and ruled it in the next 110 years. The artifact is the most beautiful illustration of the moment from the history of the city. Now, we are researching the residues of these layers where the jug was found. Women's jewelry worn probably by the highest class in the Byzantine aristocracy was also excavated today. It depicts the specific historic moment in late 13th century, which is now being excavated, said Mitreski.

Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska visited Wednesday the archaeological site, which is being researched for three years in a row.

This is a crucial site and one of those that contain the entire cultural and historical tradition of the Republic of Macedonia, she said.

[Mina]

NEW FIGHT BETWEEN POLICE AND ARMED GANG

2010-05-12T11:15:00.003+02:00

National.

A new firefight occurred this morning near the Macedonian - Kosovo border. Once again Macedonian police patrol was fired upon by an ethnic Albanian criminal unit operating in the area.

Macedonian police has reported that four persons have died in the clash.

The Macedonian police acted on tips that a criminal unit is smuggling large amounts of weapons across Macedonia's borders. On its way to intercept what appeared to be uniformed men, the gang opened fire.

The police acted swiftly and the group was eliminated, with the remainder fleeing back to Kosovo. The Ministry of Interior has not released information, as they are still preparing the report.

Just last week there was a similar firefight between Macedonian police and uniformed ethnic Albanians who guarded large weapons stash. In both incidents Macedonian police confiscated large amounts of various weapons.

[Mina]

MACEDONIA AND MOROCCO NOURISH EXCELLENT RELATIONS

2010-05-12T11:00:00.000+02:00

National.

Macedonia and Morocco have been nourishing excellent relations, but should work on bolstering the economic cooperation and trade exchange, say Prime Ministers of both countries Nikola Gruevski and Abas el-Fassi respectively.

Two Premiers signed Tuesday in Rabat an agreement on avoiding double taxation and protection of investments.

The Moroccan Premier underlined the need of investing additional efforts in the development of the cooperation in the spheres of culture, education, trade. In this respect both Premiers offered scholarships for Macedonian, Moroccan citizens to study at the universities of the two countries.

- Morocco and Macedonia have been nourishing excellent relations, without any open issue. Macedonia is an official candidate for the EU membership, while Morocco enjoys a unique status in its relations with the Union, Gruevski said.

He gave credit to Morocco for being one of 130 countries that recognized Macedonia's constitutional name.

Earlier today, Gruevski laid flowers on the tombs of kings Mohammed V and Hassan II in Rabat.

During the two-day visit, Gruevski is scheduled to meet the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abdelwahed Radi and President of the Assembly of Councillors Mohamed Seik Bijadila.

Tomorrow, the business opportunities in Macedonia will be presented to representatives of Moroccan companies.

The Republic of Macedonia and Kingdom of Morocco established diplomatic relations on 18 September, 2002.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIA TAKES OVER COUNCIL OF EUROPE CHAIRMANSHIP

2010-05-11T16:50:00.001+02:00

National.

The Republic of Macedonia Tuesday takes over the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Macedonia will take over the chairmanship from Switzerland for the next six months and will hand over to Turkey on November.

Macedonian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will be officially presented Tuesday in Strasbourg at the 120th session, MIA reports.

Micheline Calmy-Rey, Head of Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will chair the official session informing the ministers and officials of CoE member states on realised activities in the past six months, and FM Antonio Milososki will present the priorities of his country’s programme.

Milososki will symbolically rap of the gavel, which will officially mark handing over of the chairmanship.

The Committee of Ministers accepted the logo and naming of “Macedonian Chairmanship 2010” as it was proposed in the official document submitted by the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on priorities of the Macedonian presiding over the Committee of Ministers. The document was followed by cover page at which provisional reference of the country is found in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 817 from 1993.

Around of 20 ministers of the CoE ministers are expected to participate at the 120th session among whom is Swedish FM Carl Bildt, Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu, Serbian FM Vuk Jeremic and Greek alternate FM Dimitris Droutsas.

Milososki organised dinner for Balkan foreign ministers late Monday in Strasbourg. Foreign ministers of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, Vuk Jeremic, Sven Alkalaj and Milan Roken respectively, as well as Croatian state secretary for political affairs Davor Bozinovic and Milososki discussed about intensification of regional cooperation within the frames of the activities of the Council of Europe.

An exhibition of the Macedonian artist Robert Jankuloski entitled “Shared Temples” will be opened at CoE headquarters in Strasbourg on the occasion of the Macedonian Chairmanship over the Council of Europe.

[Idividi]

GRUEVSKI IN MOROCCO

2010-05-11T09:00:00.001+02:00

National.

PM Nikola Gruevski Tuesday kicks off his first official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco.

During the two-day visit Gruevski is to hold tête-à-tête meeting with his Moroccan colleague Abbas El Fassi as well as meetings with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abdelwahed Radi and President of the Assembly of Councillors Mohamed Seik Bijadila.

Gruevski is also scheduled to sign agreements on cooperation in several spheres.

Gruevski will meet with Moroccan businessmen at the second day of his visit.

The visit is focused on strengthening the economic cooperation and trade exchange between the two countries.

Gruevski will visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and will lay flowers on tombs of kings Mohammed V and Hassan II in Rabat.

Abdulkadar Mehmeti, state secretary in the Ministry of Interior and Martin Protuger, Chief of Prime Minister's Cabinet are included in the Macedonian delegation.

The Republic of Macedonia and Kingdom of Morocco established diplomatic relations on Sept. 18, 2002.

[Idividi]

'NOVA ZORA' FIRST MACEDONIAN NEWSPAPER IN GREECE

2010-05-06T13:51:00.002+02:00

National.

Today is an historic day for the Macedonian movement, but for all Greek citizens who want a truly European, democratic Greece. Starts first circulating means for mass information in our country that contains news, articles and comments in Macedonian language. A language that according to Greece officially does not exist, but unofficially speak or understand more than half a million people, mainly in northern Greece, - said in a statement today the editorial board of the newspaper in Macedonian, New Dawn.

New Dawn is the newspaper that addresses primarily the Macedonians who want to keep contact with their native language, who want to learn better and they and their children who wish to seek their rights to learn about their history and culture. The message is clear: the times of fear there. Our country could not be hiding behind the finger. You agree and adapt to what is happening in other European countries.

Simultaneously, the paper addresses and the general public, to those who can no longer suffer uninformed plot in which us condemn other major Greek media and journalists. Therefore, New Dawn will offer readers of topics not found elsewhere. Unknown pages of famous events that have deliberately left in the dark for decades, ordinary everyday stories, analysis and opinion without masks, and depending on settings. This is our legacy.

Quite positive that the New Dawn circulation coincides with perhaps the deepest crisis since the creation of new Greek state, a period which we hope will make a lot of Greek citizens to make a thorough review that they believe in and seek a new beginning. This is necessary now to Greece: to bezizleznoto aside past which has led to economic, political and social bankruptcy, to re-examine its relations with citizens who have different national and linguistic background, but to do the same and neighboring countries.

This is sometimes the only way to go in the ascending direction. This paper, taking full sense of uniqueness and its mission, will do the necessary in trying to change Greece. We know that will support all Macedonians and we hope the support of all Greeks Democrats. We know also that the state and paradrzhavata will try to shut our mouth. But it would be a lonely attempt doomed to fail. New Dawn may be a little late, but came to stay - published editorial board of the New Dawn and her editor, Dimitri Ioannu said.

MD: This is wonderful! A huge step forward for all Macedonians in Greece. This is also a message that Macedonians will never give up and never let anyway step you in the way. Congratulations!

[Nova Zora website]

[Nova Zora]

GREEK TURMOIL WILL NOT EFFECT MACEDONIA

2010-05-06T13:43:00.002+02:00

National.

Problems in neighbouring Greece will not hurt the economy of European Union candidate Macedonia, where growth is seen this year and expanding in 2011, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.

"The economy appears to be recovering, with growth of about 2 percent likely in 2010," Wes McGrew, the head of the IMF mission to Macedonia, told a news conference.

The official added that the banking system of Macedonia, where two out of 18 banks with large or full Greek ownership, were well capitalized, as "they do not hold Greek government debt and have very limited reliance on their parent banks for financing."

His remarks came as policymakers have warned of looming financial contagion to other countries unless the euro zone debt crisis is stopped in Greece.

Athens has major influence over Macedonia's political future as a dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name has blocked the country of two million from joining NATO and the EU.

Macedonia was seen emerging from the global financial downturn, after economic contraction of 0.7 percent in 2009.

"As the rebound of growth in the world economy gathers pace and global financial conditions normalize further, Macedonia can look forward to a more robust recovery next year," McGrew said.

Zoran Stavreski, Macedonia's finance minister, also said the country will issue eurobonds "by the end of the second quarter."

Macedonia has contracted two banks -- HSBC and Credit Suisse -- "for the realization of that transaction," he said.

In 2009 Macedonia successfully issued 175 million euros ($238 million) in eurobonds with a four-year maturity.

Greece's crisis, which has led to an unprecedented EU and IMF bailout, has hit the eurobond plans of other neighbours.

Albania has delayed a 400 million eurobond expected last week until possibly next week, a source at one of the lead managers said. Among the issues facing the market is how to price such a first-timing offering in tumultuous markets.

Montenegro, until recently seen issuing its debut 200 million eurobond as early as this month, has pushed back its likely issue date until late June, according to a government official and banker familiar with the deal.

Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro have not sought IMF help in the latest world financial crisis, opting for more costly but less restrictive commercial credit and eurobonds.

[Reuters]

CNN i-LIST REPORTS ON MACEDONIA

2010-05-05T22:20:00.002+02:00

National.

Get involved in CNN’s new series i-List, which takes you to a different country each month, highlighting innovation and influence. We will showcase interesting and intelligent places that have the potential to impact our world.

Coming up in May, CNN takes a look at Macedonia, in southeastern Europe. A small landlocked country bordering Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo and Serbia.

Have you visited the country or do you live there? Share your experiences of what sights and sounds give people a true flavor of the country. What are your favorite things about Macedonia? Tell CNN what you want the world to know about Macedonia.

Last month CNN looked at the country of Georgia, in southwestern Asia -- check out the great photos and videos iReporters sent in.

Why not send YOUR photos from Macedonia or put yourself on video and teach CNN about your culture. The best stories and videos will be featured on ilist .

Watch CNN's special week of programming on Macedonia and anchor Anna Coren live in Macedonia from May 10.

MD: This is great for representing our country in the world. Check out CNN regularly as of May 10, check out the i-List Macedonia website below for updates and make sure you watch the videos made by CNN correspondent Nic Robertson, we've reported about recently. You can do so by clicking on the 3 video links below.

[i-List Macedonia]

[Macedonia's forgotten gem video]

[A new Napa valley video]

[Macedonia's high-tech investment video]

[CNN]

MACEDONIA TIMELESS - ARCHAEOLOGY

2010-05-04T13:11:00.000+02:00

National.

Have a look at the newest Macedonia timeless commercial about Macedonian archaeology:

[Macedonia Timeless]

BILLY IDOL COMING TO MACEDONIA

2010-05-04T12:51:00.003+02:00

National.

After Lenny Kravitz, another rock star - Billy Idol is coming to Macedonia.

The man with countless hits like "White weeding, Flesh for fantasy, Sweet sixteen, Speed, LA Woman, Dancing with myself... will be holding a concert on the 20th of June at Skopsko lizgalishte.

On the tour Billy Idol will be performing a best of program and will be accompanied by the legendary guitarist Steve Stevens.

After the concert in Skopje, Billy will perform at the Belgrade Arena and afterwards he will be a headliner at InMusic festival in Zagreb.

Stay tuned at Macedonia Daily, more info closer to date...

[Vest]

NEW STATUES OF DELCHEV AND GRUEV HAVE BEEN PLACED

2010-05-03T14:22:00.003+02:00

Diaspora.

The sculptures of the Macedonian revolutionaries Goce Delchev and Dame Gruev have been placed at Makedonia square on both sides of the Stone Bridge in Skopje. Two other statues are planned to be placed soon.

These two statues are the first of 17 planned statues as part of the Skopje 2014 campaing, in the centre of Skopje with the biggest being the Alexander the Great statue, which will be placed in the middle of the square.

The artist who made the statues is Zarko Basevski and they are made in the Italian city of Firenza.

[Kirilica]

MACEDONIAN PAVILION AT EXPO 2010 IN SHANGHAI OPENED

2010-05-02T20:15:00.001+02:00

Diaspora.

Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanoski formally opened Saturday Macedonia's pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai, accompanied by country's national Expo commissioner, Deputy-Economy Minister Metodij Hadzi Vaskov and members of the parliamentary group for Macedonia-China cooperation, Silvana Boneva, Cvetanka Ivanova and Xhevat Ademi.

National commissioner Hadzi Vaskov presented the pavilion, which is designed in the form of a honeycomb, interwoven with motives from urban environments and landscapes from Macedonia, complementing with Expo's motto "Better City, Better Life".

Speaker Veljanoski met with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Shanghai. The Chinese official voiced satisfaction from the excellent level of bilateral relations, characterized by friendship and mutual understanding.

"I am convinced bilateral cooperation will enhance in all fields, contributing to intensification of, primarily, economic collaboration", stressed Veljanoski.

Vice President Jinping said Macedonia's participation at Expo 2010 Shanghai demonstrated its respect towards China, which hosts this exceptionally large and significant event.

"I hope your pavilion will be a success, showing Macedonia's charm and beauties before the world public", he emphasized, adding that Macedonian and Chinese people were tied by traditional friendship, whereas relations develop in diverse areas of mutual interest.

Moreover, Veljanoski took part at the formal dinner arranged by Chinese President Hu Jintao on occasion of the Expo 2010 opening, attended by about 50 heads of state, parliament and government.

[Mia]

MACEDONIAN DIASPORA LOBBIES IN THE USA

2010-04-30T10:55:00.001+02:00

Diaspora.

Representatives of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) have met with about 100 US congressmen regarding Resolution 486, which was submitted in the House of Representatives in 2009, where Macedonia is accused of hostile propaganda towards Greece.

UMD representatives hope for support against the resolution's adoption, saying such lobbying would be enhanced in the future.

"We lobby against the resolution's adoption, but also for increase of funds donated to Macedonia in fields of economy, education, health", UMD president Meto Koloski told Voice of America in Macedonian language.

The diaspora reiterated its position against the change of name Republic of Macedonia.

"Taking into consideration that larger and smaller communities are close to certain congressmen who represent their interests, it is absolutely necessary that we also have such people who will support the Macedonian diaspora or at least be aware of our positions and understand them", said Boban Jovanovski, UMD director for US operations.

[Mia]

WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES SEIZED NEAR BLACE

2010-04-30T10:53:00.001+02:00

National.

A large quantity of weapons, including machine-guns, manual missile launchers, anti-tank mines, explosives, detonators..., have been discovered and seized during an operation conducted by the police early this morning in the vicinity of Blace village. A shootout began after the people guarding the weapons opened fire on the police officers.

The attackers fled after the shootout, in which none of the police officers were injured.

Interior Ministry spokesman Ivo Kotevski said the police launched an operation following intelligence reports on stored weapons several kilometers northeast of Blace village. He said that a significant amount of stored weapons was seized.

Other items that were discovered and seized include uniforms, bulletproof vests, communications equipment and ammunition.

The site is currently being investigated. As soon as the procedure is completed, the weapons will be handed over for forensic analyses.

[Idividi]

ANDREAS GROSS: "PRESIDENT TRAJKOVSKI'S DEATH WAS MURDER, NOT ACCIDENT"

2010-04-28T13:29:00.003+02:00

National.

The crash of President Boris Trajkovski's plane was no accident, but murder, claims Swiss member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Andreas Gross.

During Tuesday's debate in Strasbourg, Gross criticized the comparison made by several MPs of the recent plane crash of Polish President Lech Kaczynski with the ones of the Macedonian President in 2004 and UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld in 1961.

According to Gross, the parallel is unfortunate, since the comparison ends with the fact that the planes crashed on all occasions, reports Deutsche Welle.

"The crashes of Hammarskjöld and Trajkovski's planes were no accidents. They were murders", stressed Gross.

According to him, the blame for Trajkovski's death "should be sought in the West, not in the East".

Macedonian MP Igor Ivanovski challenged these claims, referring to Gross' report, in which he concluded the crash was an accident, although a number of issues remain open and unanswered.

MD: Big accusation here. Many people in Macedonia suspected that it was murder instead of a incident after president Trajkovski died, but nothing has been proved and nobody dares to touch that subject. Some things surrounding his death were indeed fishy, but who knows? Time will tell...

[Idividi]

MACEDONIAN WINS WORLD'S TOP RESTAURANT AWARD

2010-04-28T13:23:00.000+02:00

Diaspora.

Copenhagen's Noma, which showcases the work of a young Macedonian-born Danish chef, edged out the top two eateries to win the award for world's best restaurant, the World Street Journal said.

René Redzepi, 32, chef at the two Michelin star-rated Noma on Copenhagen's docks, brought seven of his top eight staff to celebrate winning first place in the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant awards.

Redzepi claims he doesn't use olive oil, tomatoes or nonseasonal garlic, as all of staff's produce is from Denmark and the neighboring Nordic countries. He has championed such obscure ingredients as 45-year-old horse mussels from the Faroe Islands, monkfish livers and wild beach roses.

"I love this award and am so happy about what it can do for our country and our products,“ the World Street Journal quotes the 32-year-old chef saying.

Redzepi, who is half Dannish, half Macedonian, was the insider's favorite to knock both Ferran Adrià's El Bulli and Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck from their culinary perch, where they have exchanged the top two positions for the past six years.

The list was announced at a chef-studded ceremony at Guildhall, in London's financial district.

[Mina]

MACEDONIA AND QATAR SIGN AIR TRAFFIC AGREEMENT

2010-04-28T13:20:00.000+02:00

National.

Macedonia and Qatar signed Tuesday an agreement for regular air traffic between the two countries, said the Civil Aviation Agency in a press release.

The agreement creates conditions for one of the leading global airlines "Qatar Air" to operate with its flights to Macedonia.

Directors of the countries' civil aviation agencies Zoran Krstevski and Ibrahim Abdul signed the agreement in Qatar's capital Doha, reads the press release.

[Mina]

MACEDONIA REMEMBERS VEJCE MASSACRE

2010-04-28T13:00:00.001+02:00

National.

Wednesday marks the ninth anniversary from the massacre of eight Macedonian veterans near Tetovo village Vejce.

In an attack on April 28, 2001 eight members of the Macedonian Army (ARM) and police units "Wolves" and "Tigers" were killed.

ARM "Wolves" Robert Petkovski, Boban Trajkovski, Igor Kosteski, Mile Janevski, as well as police "Tigers" Marjan Bozinovski, Kire Kostadinovski, Bosko Najdovski and Ilce Stojanovski were massacred in the attack.

[Mina]

BULGARIA PREVENTS MACEDONIANS FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY

2010-04-26T13:39:00.002+02:00

National.

The World Macedonian Congress, Alliance of Muslim Macedonians, Ancient Macedonians Alliance as well as hundreds of other Macedonians were prevented from entering Bulgaria earlier today.

The trip was organized to pay respect to famous Macedonian revolutionary Jane Sandanski at the Rozen Monastery who today marked 95th anniversary of his death.

The Zlatarevo border crossing was beefed up by Bulgarian police who were expecting a wave of Macedonian tourists for Sandanski's anniversary.

Despite the 'no visa' policy, not a single Macedonian was allowed entry, even the ones who were not going to Sandanski's anniversary. The Bulgarian police and customs officials cited "no health insurance" as the reason for not allowing the Macedonians an entry. When their demands defied logic, Bulgarian police changed to "no invitation" as the reason for not allowing entry.

Head of the World Macedonian Congress, Todor Petrov said this is not new, Bulgarian Government's discrimination towards Macedonians is rampant and this surely was a great example of it.

[Mina]

SEE COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE MUTUAL CULTURAL HERITAGE

2010-04-26T13:30:00.000+02:00

Culture.

Southeast European countries will cooperate more intensively and promote the mutual cultural heritage in the future, along with collaboration on the implementation of EU programs, agreed ministers at the UNESCO conference on SEE cultural heritage, held in Cetinje (Montenegro) this weekend.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska underlined Macedonia’s excellent cooperation with UNESCO, as well as the projects supported by this organization.
The conference included culture ministers from Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Albania, Bosnia&Herzegovina and Slovenia.

[Culture.in.mk]

GREEK TOUR OPERATORS BLACKMAIL SERBIAN COLLEAGUES

2010-04-25T11:26:00.000+02:00

National.

Greek Tour Operators have sent a demand to their Serbian counterparts that they are only allowed to sell trips to Greece, if they are not offering trips to Ohrid anymore.

Macedonian tour operators are surprised by all this, claiming they were not aware Ohrid has become a 'threat' to Greek tourism. But, it is precisely how Greek tourist operators view the pearl of the Balkans.

Recently there have been numerous write-ups on Ohrid in French, Italian and Dutch newspapers presenting the Macedonian city as a holiday destination. Also, as we all know, Greece is in a very bad financial position, they can use every income they can get, if that means pressuring regional countries and the Serbians, who they see as good 'friends', then they will. Serbians are seen as good tourists, everywhere they go, they spend a lot of money on holidays, so they want them to spend in Greece instead.

One thing remains sure, whoever wants to visit Ohrid will certainly do so, whether Macedonian, Serbian or Greek Tour Operators present it in their brochures or not.

[Mina]

PM GRUEVSKI PAYS A VISIT TO SKOPJE ZOO

2010-04-25T11:10:00.000+02:00

National.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski visited Skopje Zoo yesterday to introduce with its reconstruction, taking into consideration the fact that the government provided funds amounting to Denar 42 million two years ago.

"What I have seen is very impressive. A huge progress was made in the past several months. Zoo garden receives another dimension. The zoo’s ambitions is becoming one of the best zoo gardens in South East Europe for one to two years, which will attract visitors not only from Skopje and Macedonia but from the neighbouring countries," Gruevski said.

Zoo director Dane Kuzmanovski said that the zoo was built in 1926 covering an area of 12 hectares. Over 30 new animals of seven new species were brought and 18 new living areas are built and 85% of the current ones are renovated. At the moment there are 500 animals of 40 species and education centre and botanical garden are established.

Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski said that the Skopje city will finance two new area for the elephant and the giraffe. At the next meeting of the coordination body also other mayors of Skopje’s municipality will be asked to donate animal and space for them because this zoo does not belong to Skopje but to all municipalities.

PM Gruevski commended the work of the City of Skopje not only in the reconstruction of the Zoo but also in other projects, which will make Skopje new more beautiful appearance.

He also added that the city and other government’s institutions are working together on several concessions for construction of new modern amusement park, whereat consultant will be engaged to make study aimed at attracting concessionaire to come to Skopje for construction of underground passage and trolley car.

MD: Nice! It was time the ZOO would be reconstructed, because it looked miserable and it was really a disgrace and misery for the animals. Btw, did you know Skopje ZOO was the first ZOO on the Balkans?

[Mina]

POPE: GREAT RESPECT FOR MACEDONIA'S CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL HERITAGE

2010-04-23T13:27:00.001+02:00

National.

At a meeting with the Ambassador of Macedonia to the Holy See on Thursday, the Holy Father expressed "great respect and consideration" for the cultural and spiritual heritage of the country. He also said he hopes that Macedonians will carry forward their principles to confront the relativistic and secular aspects of European society.

On the occasion of the presentation of new ambassador Gjoko Gjorgjevski's credentials to the Holy See, the Pope recognized the significant history of the country and hoped for its continued cultural and spiritual strength.

The Holy Father called the human and Christian values "incarnated" in the lives of Macedonians the "priceless spiritual and cultural heritage of the nation," noting the Holy See's "great respect and consideration" for this heritage.

He added that by standing firm in their spiritual identity, Macedonians "will be able to offer European peoples the contribution of their own experience."

Pope Benedict then wished success for Macedonia's efforts to join the EU, "while accepting the relative rights and duties, and with reciprocal respect for the collective demands and traditional values of each people."

This will ensure their commitment to peace, he said, which is "not just the fruit of human plans and activities, but is above all a gift of God to men and women of good will," who are sustained by justice and forgiveness.

Turning to the issue of an increasingly secular Europe, the Pope said, "My hope is that, in a general context of moral relativism and scant interest in religious experience affecting a part of European society," the Macedonian people "may exercise wise discernment in opening new horizons of authentic civility and true humanism.”

To do so, he concluded, it is important that they "seek to strengthen and maintain the principles that lie at the roots of this people's civilization, at both the individual and community level" including "dedication to the family, defense of human life and the promotion of religious needs especially among the young."

This year marks the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Macedonia and the Holy See.

[Mina]

KOMERCIJALNA BANKA ROBBED AGAIN

2010-04-23T13:15:00.000+02:00

National.

Komercijalna Banka branch at "Partizanski Odredi" boulevard in Skopje has been robbed early Friday at 07:45h.

According to the Ministry of Interior, two armed men robbed a certain amount of money holding the employees at gunpoint.

The bank robbers are at large and police are tracking them down.

This is the second robbery of this branch and third of Komercijalna Banka in the past 30 days.

[Mia]

GORAN PANDEV BECOMES A FATHER WHILE INTER WINS

2010-04-21T23:38:00.001+02:00

Sports.

While Inter was beating Barcelona, even better news out of Milan, Italy. Pandev's wife Nadica gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Celebrations followed in Milan and Strumica. A larger group of Macedonians was already in Milan to watch Inter - Barcelona, including Pandev's former coach Ilija Matenicarov. The parents of both Goran and Nadica arrived quickly in Italy to celebrate the event.

The happy couple has already announced the name of the baby: Filipo, the italian version of Phillip.

[Mina]

VOLCANIC ASH PASSED OVER MACEDONIA

2010-04-21T23:35:00.001+02:00

National.

The territory of Macedonia is not affected by the cloud of volcanic ash anymore, Macedonia's Hydrometeorological Institute has informed Wednesday.

The volcanic ash, which passed over Macedonia early this morning, had low density and thus posed no threat.

Air traffic at Skopje's Alexander the Great airport is taking place without any obstacles. All scheduled takeoffs and landings are being realised, airport's service informs.

No flights are scheduled today at the Ohrid-based "St. Paul The Apostle" airport.

[Idividi]

VIDEO ABOUT SKOPJE'S OLD BAZAAR IN UK MEDIA THE GUARDIAN

2010-04-20T18:24:00.003+02:00

Culture.

London’s prestigious “Guardian” has published a video story about the Skopje Old Bazaar. The video has been permeated with white and black shootings of the Old Bazaar so one can see young women clad in old urban costumes, men in old-dated suits, and the bazaar is described as a traditional trades centre.

The five-minute video, “The Art of Macedonia” features blacksmiths, carpenters, tinsmiths, and their usual statements are “I have inherited this trade from my father, and my son is now to inherit it.”

MD: Check it out at the link below!

[The Art of Macedonia]

[Culture.in.mk]

BRITISH FASHION COMPANIES IN SEARCH FOR BUSINESS IN ŠTIP

2010-04-20T18:19:00.002+02:00

National.

Some ten British fashion giants are looking for business partners in Macedonia. The possibility of producing their collections in Stip-based factories has become reality, think businessmen from Stip.

After Germany, England is the second biggest clothing market in Europe. Britons are considered to be very picky partners and therefore, negotiations with them have to be approached very carefully, experts say.

Britons chose Stip because there are 80 textile factories with more than 7,000 employees and before the crisis Stip-based textile factories accounted for export of more than USD 500 million or 12 percent of the GDP. Moreover, Britons think that Stip-based factories have good transportation logistics.

[Mina]

FINTANIDIS: WE LOST THE NAMING GAME

2010-04-20T18:16:00.000+02:00

Regional.

"We have lost the naming game before it started. Open any book anywhere that was published before 1990. Yugoslavia was made up of Six Republics: Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Macedonia with Skopje as its capital." says Fintanidis, former owner of Greek daily Eleftherotypia in an interview with DW.

"We seem to forget easily, or we don't wish to remember... Greece was playing Yugoslavia in Skopje as part of football qualifications. Greece lost 4-1. No one, not our fans, or players reacted that we played in "Macedonia", nor did the name bother us," says Fintanidis.

"Where did this 'outrage' appeared from regarding Macedonia? We have foreign nations whether we'd like to admit it or not, who are laughing at us" added Fintanidis in his interview for DW.

According to him, Athens, but also Skopje needs to learn from their mistakes. He also says Greece would prefer their neighbor be called North Macedonia, but admits it'd be a tough sell even though Skopje is interested in finding a solution.

[Mina]

MACEDONIAN MOVIES "BEFORE THE RAIN" IN BRAZIL, "SHADOWS" IN GERMANY

2010-04-20T18:15:00.002+02:00

Culture.

Most prominent Macedonian director Milcho Manchevski films’ world tours are continuing. Macedonian film classics “Before the Rain” has been released on DVD in Brazil, one of the countries where the film saw record visits when it was shot 15 years ago. “Before the Rain” opened in Brazil after it won an award at Sao Paolo Film Festival in 1994, one in a series of awards following the winning of Golden Lion at 1994 Venice. Since spring 1995 the film was a part of the regular movie theatre programme throughout the country for a whole year.

Manchevski’s latest film, “The Shadows,” will be opening on Public TV Service in Germany on 23rd May. This comes after the premiere of “The Shadows” at Arte, the most prestigious cultural TV channel in Europe, last year. "The Shadows” opened at Toronto Festival three years ago and its opening in a dozen of festivals has followed. Since then, it has been included in the regular programmes of movie theatres in Mexico, United States, India, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, South Korea, Greece and in most of Europe, the Balkans and South America.

[Culture.in.mk]

SPANISH FM VISITS MACEDONIA

2010-04-20T18:12:00.001+02:00

National.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos paid an official visit to Macedonia on tuesday.

In addition to talks with host Antonio Milososki, FM Moratinos, whose country currently holds the EU Presidency, met President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Vice Premier for European Affairs Vasko Naumovski and MPs.

Meetings focused on Macedonia's Euro-integration progress, as well as prospects for start of EU accession talks.

[IdiVidi]

MASSIVE CORRUPTION ARRESTS IN MACEDONIA, INCLUDING 17 DOCTORS

2010-04-20T00:20:00.004+02:00

National.

Some 40 people suspected of corruption, including at least 17 medical doctors as well as employees of the State Pension Fund, were arrested on Monday morning in the so-called 'Metastasis' operation, police have confirmed.
Those arrested have been charged with taking bribes and abuse of office while issuing disability pension certificates for state pensions. The police are still searching offices and homes of the suspects for evidence.

Police spokesman Ivo Kotevski said that they have registered at least 50 cases of abuse and that almost certainly there will be more after the ongoing investigation is completed.

The detained, many of them reportedly still wearing their white coats, are currently being brought before an investigative judge in Skopje where they are to give their statements. The judge is expected to determine whether they should remain in custody.

[Binsight]

CNN STUCK IN MACEDONIA

2010-04-19T13:34:00.003+02:00

National.

CNN reporter Nic Robertson and his CNN tv crew were stuck in Skopje at the Alexander the Great Airport yesterday. After staying a week in Macedonia, for filming a documentary about Macedonia and Mother Theresa, they couldnt leave for Brussels, for their next filmings.

Alexander the Great aiport was not closed, but because of danger of the ash clouds from Iceland above Europe, there are no European flights from or to Skopje. Because of that the CNN crew rented a car and went driving to Brussels.

Yesterday, Robertson was live on the air on CNN when he was sitting at the Macedonian-Serbian border, reporting that there are no flights from Skopje and they had to rent a car. Robertson has been in Macedonia since April 10 until yesterday. Together with his crew they filmed a documentary about Macedonia and Mother Theresa as a part of the i-List series. Part of the documentary was filmed at the house of Mother Theresa and several citizens were interviewed, including Prime Minister Gruevski.

Every month there is a new country which will be documented. The reports are focusing on economics, culture and innovations. The series will air in May.

[Vest]

SKOPJE FILM FESTIVAL '10 - APRIL 21-29.

2010-04-19T13:21:00.000+02:00

National.

More than 70 film titles, many of them awarded or presented in world festivals, will be shown at the 13th Skopje Film Festival opening on 21st April through 29th April. The festival is opening on Wednesday at the Millennium Cinema with Spanish Carlos Saura’s “Io, Don Giovanni.”

The main programme includes eight more films shot last year: “Antichrist” by Lars von Trier, “Life during Wartime” by Todd Solondz, “A Serious Man” by Ethan and Joel Coen, “Limits of Control” by Jim Jarmusch, “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” by Werner Herzog, “Brothers” by Jim Sheridan, “Baaria” by Giuseppe Tornatore, and “The Dust of Time” by Theodoros Angelopoulos

[IdiVidi]

GRUEVSKI ON A VISIT TO FLOODED AREAS IN TETOVO

2010-04-19T13:18:00.001+02:00

National.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski visited the flooded area, Tetovo's Raotince village on Sunday, where in the past couple of days the river Vardar spilled out of its banks, inundating about 30 houses and 200 hectares of cultivable soil along the river.

The PM together with Agriculture Minister Ljupco Dimovski and the directors of the Crisis Management Center and the Protection and Rescue Directorate visited Raotince residents to oversee the situation and determine whether the Government is able to provide assistance.

After meeting with residents, Gruevski said yesterday was the most critical day, adding that the water has receded.

- This is not happening for the first time. Inundations have emerged before. Evidently, this region is critical and a long-term solution must be found, PM Gruevski stated.

He vowed to review the project envisaging overhaul and arrangement of the Vardar river bank 7 kilometers lengthwise.

The village of Raotnice has been facing this problem for over 30 years. A project to overhaul the river bank has been made back in 1974 and it was renewed in 2005, but it remains unfinished.

The situation in Raotnice today is back to normal, the water has receded into the river bank.

[IdiVidi]

CLOSING OF MACEDONIAN AIRPORTS NOT PLANNED YET

2010-04-18T13:16:00.000+02:00

National.

A cloud of volcanic ash is not expected to enter the airspace of Macedonia by Monday. Therefore, closing of Macedonia's airports and its airspace is not planned at the moment, the Civil Aviation Agency says.

The airspace over Macedonia and the airports in Skopje and Ohird for prevention were closed this morning. Regular flights are being carried out at the moment.

Europe faces further air chaos as the volcanic ash from Iceland is spreading further south.

All flights to the Skopje airport were cancelled today, except the flight from Istanbul. Currently in Europe, only the airspace in Macedonia, Albania, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, south Spain and south Italy is open.

[IdiVidi]

MACEDONIA BUYS DOUBLE DECKER BUSSES FROM CHINA

2010-04-17T11:08:00.000+02:00

National.

Macedonia will purchase 202 double decker buses from China's largest bus maker Zhengzhou Yutong Group for 35 million euros ($A50.86 million) in a first such cooperation between the two countries, officials said on Wednesday.

Macedonia's Transport Minister Mile Janakievski told reporters that 68 buses would be delivered by the end of 2011, while the remaining vehicles were expected by 2013.

"Buses will have a unique, retro design only for Skopje," Janakievski said.

This is the first such venture between the two countries.

Zhengzhou Yutong Group - which won the government's bid with the best offer - is one of the biggest bus makers in Asia, producing 150 vehicles per day.

[SydneyMorningHerald]

PRICELESS ROMAN SCULPTURE EXCAVATED IN STOBI

2010-04-16T22:03:00.001+02:00

National.

A well-preserved, priceless marble head of Octavius Augustus - part of a sculpture from the early Roman period - and a small torso were excavated Friday at Stobi archaeological site, which was visited by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski together with Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and the director of the Department for Cultural Heritage Protection, Pasko Kuzman.

According to its features, the sculpture was intended to immortalize emperors and notable citizens from the first and second century A.D. It was housed in a temple, which was robbed soon after it was demolished in the classical era.

Minister Kanceska-Milevska said that this year's activities at 20 archaeological sites were finances with 180 million denars (3 million euros).

- It is important that the site was turned into a national institution with employees, aiming to become a tourist attraction to promote cultural heritage, said the Minister.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIAN MILLIONAIRS AVOID INVESTING AT HOME

2010-04-16T21:58:00.003+02:00

National.

Macedonian millionaires in most cases do not decide to invest in Macedonia. They rather keep their money in banks and in order to protect their capital they invest in real estate. Some experts think that these investors are not satisfied with the safety and influence of political structures on potential investors in Macedonia.

Macedonian businessman Zore Temelkovski says that conditions of Macedonian investments look good only on paper. He says that investment climate in Macedonia has not been good for the past 15 years.

Namely, those who want to invest have to become members of a political party, which is an obstacle for many investors. Therefore, many decide to protect their money by investing in foreign real estate or placing it in foreign banks.

[Idividi]

MEP THALER: MACEDONIA IS RIGHT, WE IN BRUSSELS KNOW THAT

2010-04-16T21:56:00.002+02:00

National.

European Parliament rapporteur on Macedonia Zoran Thaler urged Thursday Macedonian politicians to be pragmatic, proactive in regard to the name row with Greece. He also called for 'smart solutions to the incredible dispute'.

- You are and will remain Macedonians even if a new, artificial name is to be invented. You are what you feel that you are. You are right and we in Brussels know that. This is a schizophrenic situation politicians should resolve. Unfortunately the one that is part of the EU is more right, Thaler said in his lecture on Macedonia's EU Integration - the Name Issue, organized within the 13. Education and Career Days.

The name row settlement is necessary for unblocking Macedonia's EU integration process, as Skopje has been paying the price for the stalemate, Thaler said.

Maybe politicians, who decided to participate in the name row settlement, would be labelled as traitors at the beginning, but taking into consideration Slovenia's experience with a compromise that allowed the country to join EU, such unpleasant reactions had been voiced for six months only, Thaler said.

He praised the decision of EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele to take active part in settling the name dispute.

- Your country is the door for the Western Balkan EU membership. Therefore it is good that Fuele has understood that we (EU) must help Macedonia and thus open the door for the Western Balkans, Thaler said.

Thaler believes that Paris, Berlin should join UN mediator Matthew Nimetz's efforts in settling Macedonia-Greece name row, and along with Washington voice their positions on the matter.

- I am trying to encourage for solutions to be embraced in faster pace, hence the attention to be focused on the stability, prosperity of the region, which needs new culture of understanding, empathy, especially from Greece - the oldest EU member from the Balkan region, Thaler said.

Greece may play a crucial role in the Balkans, which is not the case at the moment. However, the Agenda 2014 of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou promises brighter future, Thaler said.

- EU should tell Greece - we express solidarity to you, but expect you to show solidarity with us, as the Balkans accession to the EU is crucial for Europe's stability, Thaler said.

[Idividi]

THE ECONOMIST COLUMN ON MACEDONIAN NAME ISSUE MOST COMMENTED EVER

2010-04-16T21:53:00.002+02:00

National.

This column's recent attempt to look at the name dispute between Greece and its northern neighbour (FYROM to the Greeks, Macedonia to the locals) became the most-commented article ever to appear on the website, reads "The Economist".

According to the newspaper, the Greek case (crudely stated) is that Macedonia is a title properly belonging a) to ancient Macedonia and b) to the northern Greek province that bears that name. Communist Yugoslavia applied the label to its southern province as a provocation, in the aftermath of the Greek civil war. If it were to accept "Macedonia" as a name for the former Yugoslav republic, Greece would legitimise that communist name-grab and lay itself open to territorial claims, or even terrorism. It stubbornly refuses to allow its northern neighbour’'s application for European Union and NATO membership to proceed until it budges on the name issue.

Assume Greece's argument is right. Would it matter? The globe is studded with ancient, buried hatchets involving names and places (which came first: Bretagne or Grande-Bretagne? Who cares?) Logically preposterous toponyms are the rule, not intolerable exceptions. So set aside that argument, unless you are trying to drum up business for map publishers.

Nor does the argument about dangerous irredentism stand up. As a relatively big country, and a member of the EU and NATO, Greece can scarcely plead persecution from its small northern neighbour. The last 20 years show that expanding the EU and NATO is the best way of making troubled neighbourhoods safer. But even if there is a danger of terrorism from Skopjean extremists, how should it be contained? By including Macedonia in western clubs, prosperous and, with luck, well governed? Or by keeping it weak, divided and isolated?

So even if the Greeks are right, the course of action looks wrong. What of the Macedonian/FYROM side? Assume its most hardline protagonists are right: that they are the heirs to an ancient civilisation, whereas Greece is an ethno-nationalist bully with fascist undertones that oppresses a Slavic minority in the north. If that's true, then the EU and others ought to be more worried than they are. But it has little bearing on the name of the northern neighbour.

On that basis, the verdict is clear. If the Skopje authorities are right, then withholding recognition of their name is an outrage. If they are wrong, even if they are silly and provocative, it is not worth breaking eggshells to set them right. Giving them their favoured name costs less than Greece claims, and has big benefits, for everyone, in increased stability, concludes "The Economist".

[Idividi]

MACEDONIAN TOUR GUIDE FOR ITALY

2010-04-15T14:48:00.001+02:00

National.

Republic of Macedonia as an attractive tourism and investment destination is presented in the new tour guide intended for the Italian tourism market.

The 300-page guide, published by "Balkania", will be provided free of charge to Italian tour-operators and travel agencies.

Guide author Fabio Cotifava met Wednesday with Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi, who supported the project's realization.

"Taking into consideration tourism is one of the minister's priorities, the meeting aimed at providing support to projects, such as this one, which gives the opportunity to the Italian tourism market to acquaint with Macedonia as an attractive tour and investment destination", reads Economy Ministry press release.

The Italian tourism market shows interest for organized visits to monasteries and other cultural-historic monuments in Macedonia, as well as introduction of other content, such as cycling or hunting tourism.

"Balkania" is an association for Balkan alternative tourism, with Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Kosovo, Bosnia&Herzegovina and Italy as members. It focuses on projects for promotion of the Balkans as a tourism destination.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIA'S NATO INVITATION, WASHINGTON'S UNFINISHED BUSSINESS

2010-04-15T14:47:00.001+02:00

National.

Supporting Macedonia's integration into NATO and the EU remains a vital element in our efforts to promote peace and stability in the Balkan region, said Assistant Secretary for Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Gordon.

Radio Free Europe reports Gordon took part at hearing of the US Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs titled "Unfinished Business in Southeast Europe: Opportunities and Challenges in the Western Balkans".

Hearing participants, which also included Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Alexander Vershbow and former US ambassador to NATO, Kurt Volker, said it was time to reach a compromise solution to the name row, assisted through trust-building measures on the part of Macedonia.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIAN COMPANY'S WITH POTENTIAL FOR RUSSIAN, CHINESE AND INDIAN MARKETS

2010-04-15T14:33:00.002+02:00

National.

Food industry, pharmacy, tourism and financial services are the sectors that can enable Macedonia's penetration at the Russian market. However, its traits and needs have to be studied first, in order to find the most appropriate, secure and quality business partners, said Paul Fisher, consultant for entry at markets in Russia, China and India, while presenting experiences to Macedonian businessmen on Wednesday.

"Before making the first step, it is necessary to study the market well and carefully select the associate company. Agreements on advanced payment should also be concluded, in order to reduce risk, with commodities delivered in stages, not all at once. In countries such as Russia, China and India it is difficult to find a solvent partner, which is why it is necessary to study one's past, operations, cooperation with other companies etc", stressed Fisher.

According to him, each company should build its own strategy for performance at the Russian market depending on the type of industry.

"There is no strategy valid for all companies. They need to develop their own, specific strategy based on prior analyses on the market's conditions and characteristics", added the consultant.

Fisher suggested Macedonia should attract Russian companies that are interested in the European market.

"Russian companies can find good locations for subsidiaries in Macedonia, through which they would control businesses within the EU, because the corporate tax rate is rather attractive and stands at 10 percent", underlined Fisher.

[Idividi]

CNN TO FILM MOTHER THERESA DOCUMENTARY IN SKOPJE

2010-04-14T11:43:00.000+02:00

National.

Renowned CNN reporter Nic Robertson is currently in Macedonia, working on several TV stories, among which a documentary on Mother Teresa on occasion of the 100th anniversary from her birth.

Details from Mother Teresa's native Skopje, the Old Bazaar, Millennium Cross, as well as places related to her childhood have already been recorded.

The story uses testimonies of Mother Teresa's chronicler Stojan Trencevski, representatives of the Catholic Church, humanitarians, Skopje citizens etc.

The CNN crew also visited Ohrid, Kavadarci, Bitola and other places, with the article scheduled to air in April or May.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIAN STUDENTS GAMES OPENED IN OHRID

2010-04-14T11:40:00.001+02:00

National.

More than 650 students will compete in several disciplines at the 13. Macedonian Students Games 2010, held in Ohrid on April 13-16.

President Gjorge Ivanov, who declared the games open, stressed youth, energy and enthusiasm of young people could be witnessed at such sporting events.

"It is also wonderful that the games become regional gatherings, where young people can get together, communicate and share problems. The politicians are there to bring them closer to the values practiced in Europe, through the Bologna Process", stressed President Ivanov.

Besides students from all Macedonian state and private universities, the Ohrid games also include participants from neighboring regional countries, as well as a delegation of the European Students' Union.

[Idividi]

MACEDONIA LEADER OF CADASTRE REFORMS IN THE BALKANS

2010-04-14T11:38:00.001+02:00

National.

Macedonia's Project for Real Estate Cadastre and Registration is one of the 12 winners of World Bank competition "Improving the Lives of People in Europe and Central Asia".

The 98-percent coverage of the country's territory with cadastre registration, double increase in the number of real estate transactions, their registration in only five days, as well as 70-percent reduction of prices of cadastre services are the project's main benefits.

"Macedonia is considered leader in the Western Balkans regarding cadastre reforms", said World Bank Country Manager Markus Repnik, assessing the project as very successful.

Repnik emphasized the Government's leadership and institutional commitment as crucial in the implementation of envisaged reforms.

He said country coverage with cadastre registration was 43 percent five years ago, rising to the current 98, with 100 percent to be reached by the year-end.

"This is a confirmation that reforms pay off, and if implemented in a consistent and proper way, they yield results, so that institutions transform in 3-4 years, thus increasing their efficiency", said Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski.

This year's World Bank contest included 282 projects from about 30 countries. When selecting the best, two criteria were taken into consideration - concrete results and innovation. The Macedonian project is the only winner from the Western Balkan region.

Moreover, FinMin Stavreski announced fresh World Bank support worth EUR 9 million for further cadastre modernization.

[Idividi]

STEVEN STAMKOS NOW 51 GOALS AND WINS TROPHY IN SEASON FINALE

2010-04-12T03:00:00.000+02:00

Sports.

Yesterday we reported about scoring his 50th goal and leading the league together with Ovechkin, now Macedonian NHL Tampa Bay Lightning icehockey player Steven Stamkos' empty-net goal with 12.5 seconds left in Sunday's season finale with the Panthers gave the center 51 goals, tying Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for most in the league this season. Both will get the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Stamkos played a season-high 26:20 in the game, including 11 minutes, 45 seconds of the third period. He scored off a Teddy Purcell pass after a Vinny Lecavalier faceoff win in the defensive zone. Purcell dumped the puck forward and Stamkos used his speed to catch up and shoot into the net with Florida's Stephen Weiss diving behind him and throwing his stick.

"Pretty surreal to do it in my second year in the league and share it with a player like Crosby is pretty special," Stamkos said. "And to win it without a guy named Ovechkin in the mix is pretty special too. He's such a dominant scorer."

Did Stamkos care he tied Crosby with an empty-netter?

"No," he said. "All those posts I had against Carolina (three), it was bound to happen like that. I'll take it either way."

MD: Wow, great achievement ! Yesterday 50, today 51 and the trophy.

[TampaBay.com]

STEVEN STAMKOS SCORES 50TH GOAL, TIES FOR NHL LEAD

2010-04-11T12:54:00.002+02:00

Sports.

Macedonian icehockey player Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is the third youngest NHL player to score 50 goals in a season.

Stamkos, the Lightning's second-year forward, hit the milestone Saturday night when he scored his second goal of the game against the Florida Panthers. Stamkos netted No. 50 with a wrist shot from the point that went between the pads of goalie Scott Clemmensen. It was his second power-play goal of the night.

At 20 years, 2 months and 3 days, only Wayne Gretzky (19 years, 2 months) and Jimmy Carson had 50-goal seasons earlier than Stamkos -- the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft.

The goal also tied Stamkos with Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the NHL lead. Ovechkin scored his 50th on Friday night.

MD: This is awesome! Stamkos is a truly great player. Imagine if we would have a national icehockey team and got Stamkos playing together with Ed Jovanovski and Jose Theodore :)

[ESPN]

LAKE SHORES TO BE ARRANGED FOR ATTRACTING TOURISTS

2010-04-10T21:57:00.001+02:00

National.

The state will improve the tourism offer involving lake shores by building pedestrian lanes, landscape design and installing lighting poles around lakes.

The Ministry of Transport and Communication launches the project Friday by issuing a call to grant agreements for public procurement for construction of lanes around the Dojran Lake, Lake Mladost, Mavrovo Lake and Gabelovo Lake.

These lakes are covered in the first stage of the envisaged four stages by the project, which will help the establishment of places for sports and recreation in line with tourist standards.

- This will boost the interest of local and foreign tourist to come and visit and will improve conditions for tourism development, which will have a positive effect on Macedonia's economy in general, Transport Minister Mile Janakieski told a press conference.

He informed that the first stage will last for three years. Depending on finances and preparations of lake shore projects from the second, third and fourth phase, the Ministry will issue calls to conclude deals for pedestrian lanes. Urban equipment and landscape design is under the jurisdiction of municipalities.

[Idividi]

BITOLA PROMOTED AS A WEDDING LOCATION

2010-04-10T21:54:00.001+02:00

National.

The web portal “my wedding.com” and the center for promoting tourism (CPT) will promote Bitola as a wedding location in the world in order to attract more tourists.

“We aim to attract attention to potential couples, who are looking for the perfect place to get married”, Coordinator Aneta Sijakova said.
The city authorities said hope that their project will be successful and that there will be queues waiting to get married in Bitola.

Maybe you find this to be weird way to promote a location, but we will try to promote Bitola from a different angle.
What we said five years ago, it might come true at the end, Vladimir Taleski said.

The center for developing tourism are thrilled with the idea. However they say that they will have to add something to make it more fun.

We think that hotel owners can take participation in this project, Irena Ruzin said.

“Each piece of land has its own story to tell. Macedonians are nation, which knows how to love and we ca take advantage of that and of course we can use that fact”, Mende Petkovski, the founder of the portal said.

[Mina]

CHINESE JOURNALISTS AND TOUROPERATORS VISIT OHRID

2010-04-10T21:53:00.000+02:00

National.

Representatives of 15 Chinese tourist agencies and six media paid a visit Thursday to Ohrid within their tour across Macedonia.

Macedonia and Ohrid may attract Chinese tourists, so it is possible for the country's tourist destinations to be offered on China's market, the guests said.

- We are impressed by Macedonia's beauty, rich cultural heritage. We hope for new bridges of friendship, tourist cooperation to be opened in the future, said Christopher Millward, CEO of Beijing consulting firm Firebrands.

After returning to China, media representatives will present their impressions from the visit to Macedonia, while tourist agencies, depending on their plans, may include the country in their offers.

- The warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage and natural beauties will certainly attract many Chinese, Millward said, expressing hope for the results of this visit to be tangible in the near future.

China's citizens have shown interest in this part of the Balkans, in particular the older ones who long for new destinations, said the sales manager of 'Turkish Airways' in China.

This evening, the guests from China will meet their Balkan colleagues to discuss possibilities for cooperation in bringing more Chinese tourists to the region.

[Idividi]

KAVADARCI, CITY OF CULTURE 2010

2010-04-10T21:51:00.000+02:00

National.

The exhibition of painter Vladimir Temkov, the monologue "Sons of the Light" by the actor Petar Temelkovski and the concert of the oboist Gordana Josifova - Nedelkovska and Big Band from the Faculty of Music Arts, conducted by Kire Kostov will open Friday evening the event "Kavadarci - City of Culture 2010."

By Ministry of Culture's decision, Kavadarci was proclaimed the city of culture for 2010.

150 other projects in different spheres will also be realised by end of the year. Art Colony - Kavadarci and many exhibitions by different artists will be included this year. Dragan Dautovski, Synthesis, Macedonian Philharmonic orchestra will also hold concerts.

[Idividi]