(MIA) - Macedonia's environment sector has made substantial progress in comparison to 2009 in terms of establishing necessary bodies and adopting the required legislation, Vice-Premier for European Affairs Vasko Naumovski said Thursday.

- Additional efforts will be required but we remain committed to address all recommendations of the last year (European Commission) report in order to get positive opinion for this year, Naumovski said after his meeting with Environment Minister Nexhati Jakupi. 

 

Since last year the Secretariat for European Affairs has been convening regular meetings with all ministries, dedicated to their achievements under the EU-integration agenda, Naumovski said.

 (MIA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Milososki announced that Macedonia's delegation taking part at this year's main session of the UN General Assembly in late September would meet with mediator Matthew Nimetz, adding that he had no information on a possible fresh proposal in overcoming the long-standing name dispute with Greece.

In an interview with Alsat TV, Milososki said that Nimetz was an experienced diplomat and was probably expecting some kind of positive signal from the frequent bilateral meetings between Macedonian and Greek officials and a favourable climate to be created in order a breakthrough regarding the issue to be made. According to him, Nimetz had most likely estimated that the long-standing dispute could not be solved only by formal unveiling of new proposals that would be rejected by either of the parties involved or by both parties.

 

- On Macedonia's part, there is preparedness and pragmatism to overcome this long-standing row, but obviously in terms of the essence of this issue and pragmatism for its settlement, we haven't received any positive signal from Greece, even though the country has demonstrated a fresh openness to communicate with Macedonia's leadership, the FM stated.

Commenting Greek media reports that "Northern" or "Vardar Macedonia" could be acceptable solutions in an effort to close the name row, Milososki refusing to speculate said that it was obvious that Greece had been promoting certain possible initiatives favouring their dimension in settling the issue.

- Nevertheless, we are open for talks in which we will face the power of arguments not the arguments of power, which was the case so far. We expect Greece to realize that this dispute is bilateral and that every state and nation is entitled to own identity, sovereignty, independence, self-determination. In the frameworks of these international rules, we could seek a joint solution, FM Antonio Milososki stressed.

(MIA) - The Delegation of the European Union, NATO HQ Skopje, OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and US Embassy issued the following statement Thursday to mark the ninth anniversary of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

- We recognize and welcome the positive progress the country has made in improving interethnic relations since the signature of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. The Agreement and relevant constitutional provisions remain indispensable to building a peaceful, just and cohesive multiethnic society.

We remain absolutely committed to the Ohrid Framework Agreement and look to all national stakeholders to take full ownership of what is a continuing process, and to support its implementation both in letter and spirit.

During our meeting with Prime Minister Gruevski and other government officials on 30th July, we stressed the particular importance of adopting further measures in the fields of equitable representation, decentralization and education. Notably, further efforts are needed in order to establish an education system able to foster integration and interethnic relations at all levels, reads the joint statement of EU, US Ambassadors Erwan Fouere, Philip Reeker respectively, Head of OSCE Mission Jose Luis Herrero and NATO HQ Skopje Commander and Senior Military Representative David Humar

(MIA) - Serbian Patriarch Irinej denied media reports about ongoing negotiations between Serbian (SPC) and Macedonian (MPC) Orthodox Churches.

- There are no negotiations on reconciliation and if there was luck this situation, which has been lasting for too many years, should not have happened, Irinej told Tanjug news agency.

He denied the reports of some media that Belgrade attorney Toma Fila was his advisor, and that as such, visited the Patriarchate along with Macedonia's Ambassador to Serbia Ljubisa Georgievski.

Talks on that occasion had not tackled the relations between the two churches, Irinej said.

Tanjug says that one Macedonian TV network presented Fila as the Serbian Patriarch's advisor. On that occasion Fila told the TV that a dialogue between the two churches was the only way for settling the long-lasting dispute. Georgievski told the same TV that there was an initiative to that effect, which had been under development and should bring results after the holiday season - in September.

Yesterday, as Tanjug reports, MPC said it was not informed about an existence of a lobby-group that should work on settling the row between the two churches. However, it welcomed any intention of good-will in that direction.

(MIA) - The United Kingdom has no plans to revise the visa travel criteria for Macedonia soon, nor will the new ambassador start negotiations with the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the British Embassy to Skopje in a press release.

"The new coalition government in the United Kingdom continues to develop its policies on a range of issues, including on immigration. Until these policies are in place, we cannot and will not speculate on plans to change UK visa requirements", reads the press release.

Following the introduction of biometric passports by the end of 2009, Macedonia has a visa-free regime with 25 EU member-states, as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. Macedonian nationals require visas for travel in Great Britain and Ireland, which although EU member-states, are not part of the Eurozone and have their own visa policy.

(MIA) - The European Commission has already said Macedonia meets conditions to start Union accession talks. However, it would be unrealistic to expect the EU to put pressure on Greece, since they have not been doing that in the past 20 years, said Gerald Knaus, president of the European Stability Initiative (ESI) in an interview with Ohrid TV station NTV.

On the basis of recent contacts he has had with European officials, but also in Greece, Knaus says efforts are invested in reaching an optimal solution, adding the EU cannot expect Macedonia to make a concession only because of a promise over the start of membership negotiations.

"The real challenge for Macedonian politicians now is how to get more benefits for the country without making large concessions, which would not be accepted by way of referendum. A compromise must be reached with Greece for the sake of EU accession, but such compromise must also be sufficiently attractive to the public in Macedonia", he stresses.

According to Knaus, Macedonia's four priorities in this period are obtaining an invitation for NATO membership, start of EU accession talks in 2010 without making large concessions regarding the name, a guarantee that the country would not be abused in the later stages of negotiations, as well as finding allies that would assist its swift EU accession.

ESI proposes a change to the constitutional name, but its entry into force later.

"You would keep the veto right not to implement the change. This means you would join NATO, reach an agreement with Greece over the name and change FYROM, but only FYROM. The changed name, be it Republic of Macedonia-Vardar or other, will not enter into force until voters in Macedonia are sure they have a future within the EU, followed by a decision on the constitutional changes", says Knaus.

He adds that in a time of global economic crisis and EU enlargement skepticism, Macedonia would be the first country after Croatia to start negotiations, which would benefit the economy and entry of foreign direct investments.

ESI will release a report in the coming days, in which it proposes Macedonia's immediate NATO accession, immediate start of EU accession talks, and eventually, a referendum.

 (MIA) - Macedonia must not change its name and give in to Greece. If is does, then Greece will set fresh requests until it reaches the final goal, which is to make Macedonia disappear from the map, says first mediator in the Greece-Macedonia name dispute, ambassador Robin O'Neil.

At the first international internet TV conference titled "Macedonia: Our Name and Identity, Our Pride and Dignity" at Ohrid TV station NTV, O'Neil said Macedonia should work hard to join EU and NATO.

"Macedonia already has two names, it does not need a third one. The state must focus on joining EU and NATO. When it achieves this, its temporary name will lose its importance and relevance. It must work hard on this", said the ambassador.

According to him, Greece does not observe the conditions set in the 1995 Interim Treaty, which give Macedonia the right to insist on EU and NATO accession under the name agreed with Resolution 817.

"I say this because I am convinced this name is just for temporary use and will cease to apply soon. However, if Macedonia accepts any other name, such as Republic of Macedonia-Vardar or Republic of Northern, Upper or any other Macedonia, then Greece will be encouraged to resume with other requests and blackmails that would be fatal for Macedonians and Macedonia", said O'Neil.

He reminded that Greece refused his proposal "Republic of Macedonia-Skopje", which he gave as mediator in 1992 as compromise for the country's UN accession and temporary use.

Aristotelis Tziampiris, assistant professor at the University of Piraeus, assessed there is rare opportunity for the name dispute to be settled until November.

"There is a are opportunity for the row's settlement with no winners or losers. Taking into account both countries are ruled by governments ready for compromise, I see an opportunity for a solution by November", underlined Tziampiris.

(MIA) - Macedonia prepares teams that will be fully capable to immediately begin EU accession talks as soon as the name dispute is settled. About 850 public administration employees have been engaged for this purpose, who are learning from Croatia's experiences in the Union accession process, but are also consulting with Slovenia and other countries, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Friday.

"These teams are also tasked with developing a special strategy in the negotiations, so certain preparations are ongoing for swift start of accession talks when the row is overcome. This is done so that we do not start from zero, but have fully prepared teams when this time comes", said Gruevski.

He added certain foreign consultants could be engaged, if necessary, in the accession talks, for the purpose of achieving the foreseen objectives.

 (MIA) - Macedonian Ambassador to Australia Pero Stojanovski paid working visit to New Zealand from Aug. 4-6 and presented credentials from Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov to Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, thus becoming first non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to New Zealand.

Ambassador Stojanovski held separate meetings with Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand and other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Macedonian Embassy to Australia said in a press release Saturday.

The talks focused on boosting the bilateral political dialogue and development of cooperation, which would create preconditions for more efficient cooperation on economic plan and in the frames of international organisations and institutions, especially in the UN system.

Stojanovski expressed hope that very soon the economic cooperation between the two states will result in more concrete activities because Macedonia with its potentials represents favourable climate for foreign investments.

Stojanovski also pointed out on current asymmetry in relation to visa regime with expectation that New Zealand will follow the EU position and very soon will pass a decision for abolishment of visa regime for citizens of the Republic of Macedonia

(MIA) - Vasil Naumov, Director of the Emigration Agency, presented Friday the programme of an Interim Emigration Council, set up under an approval of representatives of 40 emigrant organizations of Macedonians at the first Annual Conference, held in Skopje this July.

The Council, comprised of 12 members with one-year mandate, will focus its activities on bolstering the ties of Macedonians living abroad with their homeland.

The body, Jovanov said, should herald the Diaspora's voice about preserving, nourishing the Macedonian identity. Macedonians living abroad should be also included in the developments of their homeland. To that effect, Macedonia should simplify the procedure for granting citizenship to its emigrants, include them in the census and introduce favorable investment regulations, considering the fact that over EUR one billion of diaspora money flows in the country, Jovanov said.

There are about 465,000 Macedonian nationals living across the globe, according to census data of the countries of their residence. Their number is much higher, Naumov said, as Macedonia, since the introduction of 2002 Census Law, has not been registering its citizens residing abroad for more than one year.

(MIA) - Macedonian Government will not break off the negotiations with Greece on settling the name row, as suggested by the diaspora, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Thursday.

However, the Government has been very careful in the course of these negotiations, the Prime Minister said.

The Government, Gruevski said, has been drafting a new package of reforms for modernization of the public administration. Candidates for public servants will be a subject of tests that evaluate their capacity, skills, integrity and all other performances, necessary for such employees.

The Government has been also working on and making efforts to wrap up as much as possible of the tasks it is to face after opening of Macedonia's EU accession talks, the Prime Minister said.

- We are working on selecting solid individuals for members and chief of the country's team for the accession negotiations, Gruevski said.

Referring to harmonizing the national with the EU legislation, the Prime Minister said that this year the Government had drafted about 60 of the planned 100 laws. The Parliament already endorsed 50 of them, while the reminder would get the green light by the end of this month.

(MIA) - The denationalization process nears completion, with 200 most complicated cases remaining in first-instance procedure, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told journalists on Thursday.

"The denationalization process, which began in 2000, nears its end. About 200 most complicated cases in first-instance procedure are remaining out of the 32,000", said PM Gruevski after the cornerstone-laying ceremony of two tennis courts in Karpos municipality.

Gruevski also voiced satisfaction from the sale of building land, which percentage is gradually increasing.

"This is a great benefit for municipalities, since 80 percent of funds are allocated there, while 20 percent goes into the national budget. This helps municipalities, investing these means into infrastructure projects", he added.

(MIA) - Macedonian nationals living in Perth-Australia organized numerous festivities Sunday in honor of the 107th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising.

Macedonian Honorary Consul in Perth Zoran Koseski, representatives of Macedonian community, members of the Australian Parliament and local authorities laid wreaths in honor of Ilinden Day on the monument of West Australian servicemen.

Today, the Macedonian Cultural Center 'Ilinden' also celebrated its 20th birthday. Center's representatives laid wreaths on the monument of Macedonia's revolutionist and president of the Krusevo Republic Nikola Karev.

Koseski presented a letter of gratitude to the Center's Chairman Vasko Sobeski for the institution's contribution to nourishing the Macedonian culture and language in Western Australia.

(MIA) - The European Union bears responsibility for its policies on the Balkans, but only the nations of the region may provoke a conflict in this area, says Daniel Server, President of Washington Institute for Peace.

Asked about possible 'hot autumn' in the Balkans, considering the recent advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo's declaration of independence, Server said it was up to the countries in the region.

- People of the region should deal with the consequences of any instability. They above all others are responsible for preventing such developments. The US and EU are having tough problems in other places across the globe, so even a serious instability in the Balkan region would not attract their attention to the same level as it was the case 15 years ago. Brussels and Washington have invested a lot in the Balkans - now it is the Balkan countries' turn to preserve that investment, Server told the local NTV program 'The Peoples' Voice'.

He also comments the EU enlargement policy in the context of recent statement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

- The opposition of some countries against Turkey's EU membership has stalled the enlargement process. Greece's financial problems have additionally complicated the prospects for enlargement. I do not approve of Greek politics, but my opinion will not change it. Skopje must aspire to a (name row) settlement via negotiations. Naturally, there are others that share my opinion, but what has been blocking the progress with one word is Greece, Server said.

He also believes that Macedonia will also start to move forward to NATO membership.

Greece's objection to Macedonia's NATO membership over the name row is not appropriate for a member of the Alliance, Server said.

- Macedonia's contribution in Afghanistan and Iraq is highly appreciated, but is not sufficient to overpower the Greek veto, Server said.

(MIA) - The Government will address the weak spots Brussels has notified, such as the public administration, judiciary and some other spheres, while the fight against crime, corruption will resume with fierce dynamics, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Saturday.

A series of laws, which are to be adopted this October or November and enforced in the next two years, will bring substantial changes to the judiciary, Gruevski said.

The Prime Minister said he sent a letter to Euro-enlargement Commisioner Stefan Fule, briefing him about the Macedonian Government's plans in regard to the judicial, public administration reforms, as well as the ongoing efforts for fighting crime and corruption, Gruevski said after a corner-laying ceremony for three tennis fields in Skopje settlement Karpos.

The new law on criminal procedure will emphasise the Public Prosecutor's role, as it is the case in Italy, Germany and in line with the recommendations of European experts, presented during their visit to Macedonia, Gruevski said.

He also pointed out that Slovenian expert had been engaged for the reform of the public administration, considering his achievements in this sphere at home. He has drafted an action plan and we are now waiting for SIGMA's appraisal report to go forward, the PM said.

Gruevski said there was no difference between his and the positions of future Macedonia's Ambassador to NATO Martin Trenevski on the country's acession to the Alliance.

It seems there has been a misunderstanding, maybe improper choice of words during the presentation of his future activities, the PM said, pointing out that Trenevski would give several interviews in the next few days and better explain his ideas.

Macedonia's NATO membership is the Government's strategic goal, Gruevski said, pointing out that the country has been the organization's partner in numerous missions.

- Our main objective is for (the country) to become a full-fledged NATO member and we shall keep working to that effect, the PM said.

(MIA) - Macedonia and Macedonians are a reality on the Balkans and part of Europe, to which they naturally belong and live the idea of a united Europe as an open space of democracy and observance of human rights, where everyone carries its own identity. Therefore, I urge Greece to accept that we exist and will exist as sincere neighbors and friends, said President Gjorge Ivanov in the address at the Pelince ASNOM Memorial Center on occasion of August 2-Day of Republic.

He stressed that Greece's blocking of Macedonia's EU integration does not contribute to regional stability and does not correspond to EU and NATO goals - peace, security, stability and welfare.

"Certain politicians of our southern neighbor have a problem with our name and our identity. I want them to know that we are here to help them overcome that problem and accept the reality - Macedonia and Macedonians. Republic of Macedonia has demonstrated on many occasions it is ready for dialogue, meetings, communication as the only way to overcome differences. We have extended the hand of reconciliation and understanding many times before and we are still doing that", added Ivanov.

According to him, Macedonia's goal is economic progress and democratic development, NATO and EU integration, accompanied by preservation of the identity and integrity.

"Countries that are not consistent towards self will not be consistent and sincere towards others. Therefore, we can represent a benefit to Europe and the world only as Macedonia and Macedonians", stressed President Ivanov.

He stated Macedonia abides by EU and NATO values, appealing to allies to formally accept the country's Alliance membership, since it already takes part in assisting regions that produce instability.

"In this regard, I urge all European partners to remain consistent to the work of great visionaries and architects of Europe not to allow financial bankruptcy to lead towards moral bankruptcy. I urge Greece to accept that we exist and will exist as their sincere neighbors and friends", added Ivanov.

The President said unity on the country's strategic objectives would lead towards a prosperous and rich, European Macedonia.

"Today we live the freedom and independence that our ancestors struggled for, sacrificing for our future and the future of our successors. Let us be responsible towards out homeland and this testament, enhancing our legacy, so that future generations live the ideal that Ilinden and ASNOM proponents had dreamt about", underlined Ivanov.

The Pelince gathering was also attended by delegations from the Government, Parliament, Defense Ministry and ARM General Staff, as well as numerous associations.

The country did not send a delegation to the authentic ASNOM place, monastery "St.Prohor Pcinski", which is under jurisdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church.