The governing cabinet of Zoran Zaev has faced criticism as a result of the large number of ministries given to Albanians, proposed by BDI, three of which have pending trials for abuses with their public office in the past. Zaev has proposed 25 ministries of which 17 belong to the Macedonian Social Democratic Union (SDSM), 6 belonging to the Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) and 2 ministries belong to the Alliance for Albanians. The criticism relates to the fact that prior to the elections, Zaev had stressed that he would reduc…
TAV Macedonia, backed by local businesses and establishment owners, has organized a four-day tourist visit to Macedonia for five influential Turkish bloggers in an attempt to show them the natural beauties of Macedonia, as a tourist attraction, and to attract more tourist from Turkey, it said Tuesday. The popular bloggers, known by social media users in Turkey as yoldaolmak, kesfetsek, bizevdeyokuz and birhayalinpesinde, have stayed in Macedonia from May 24 until May 28. Also, their Facebook and Instragram accounts have over million f…
Macedonia’s U-21 football team coach Blagoja Milevski announced the team he will take to the European Championship in Poland. Qualifying for the championship is the biggest success in Macedonian national football and Milevski said that the will rely on the tried and tested line-up which won the qualifiers. Igor Aleksovski and Damjan Siskovski will be available on goal, and Gjoko Zajkov, Darko Velkovski, Visar Musliu, Mevlan Murati, Egzon Bejtulai and Besir Demiri are in the defensive line. For the midfield, Milevski will have Boban Ni…
A study performed by the Institute for Public Health (IPH) of Macedonia showed that about 46 percent of the population aged 15 to 64 smokes. The practice is prevalent among men, 54 percent of whom smoke, as opposed to 33 percent of women. Elena Kosevska, head of the IPH department for risk evaluation said that in 2017, the campaign against smoking will focus on the damage tobacco causes to the overall economy. German/Deutsch
Industrial production dropped in April 2017 by 1,9 percent compared to the same period in 2016, the State Statistics Bureau informed. Overall, in the first four months of the year the industrial production dropped by 1,6 percent. By industry, mining grew by 2,9 percent in April, and manufacturing dropped by 2,8 percent. Energy production saw a rise of 1,2 percent.
President Gjorge Ivanov was presented Tuesday with letters of credence by the new ambassadors of Japan and Mongolia to Macedonia. At a meeting with Keiko Haneda, Japan’s first resident ambassador to Macedonia, President Ivanov expressed satisfaction with the opening of a Japanese embassy in Skopje, which is yet another confirmation of the friendly ties established between the two country, his cabinet said in a press release. “I am confident your activities as resident ambassador of Japan to Macedonia will contribute to further adv…
He was top scorer of the VELUX EHF Champions League twice, record top scorer of World and European Championships, scored more than 1000 goals in European Cup competitions: Kiril Lazarov is one of the world’s best strikers of all time. But only once in his long and successful career so far, the 37-year-old Macedonian has won the VELUX EHF Champions League: In 2015, with his current club FC Barcelona. Before he departs to HBC Nantes this summer, Lazarov has high hopes for the VELUX EHF FINAL4. Firstly, he is looking forward to the semi-…
A plant, where technical and industrial textile will be manufactured, was inaugurated Saturday within a disused factory in the vicinity of Veles. The plant, estimated at nearly €4 million, is an investment of the German company STS Textiles. Currently, some 20 people are working at the plant, but the investor plants to expand its workforce in the next five years, i.e. to hire 1,000 people. "A mere year after starting to negotiate with STS Textiles, we have already reactivated the disused plant Nonca Kamisheva, where products ar…
Macedonia’s women handball team begins preparations for the 2017 World Championship qualifier against Sweden. Coach Sime Simovski expects to have the full team in Skopje by Monday evening and will keep them at a training regime until Wednesday when Macedonia travels to Turkey for a tournament which will also include Lithuania and Russia. Macedonia and Sweden have their first match in Skopje, at the Kale sports center, on June 10th, and the return match is on June 13th.
One of the world’s biggest names in music, Sting will hold a concert in Skopje on October 15. The concert, set for the “Boris Trajkovski” hall, is held within Sting’s world tour “57th & 9th” from the namesake album, says organizer Avalon Production. Besides playing songs from his latest album, Sting will perform several of his biggest hits such as “Fragile”, “Desert Rose”, “Fields of Gold”, as well as hits from his time in band “Police” – “Message in the Bottle”, “Walking on the Moon”, “Every Breath You Take” etc.
Igor Stefanovski won the second race of the day at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, finishing ahead of the LEIN Racing SEAT of Fábio Mota and Race 1 winner Petr FulÃn, after the Honda of Peter Rikli retires on the final lap. Championship leader Christjohannes Schreiber was unable to start the second race after damage from his puncture in Race 1. Andreas Pfister started from pole position in his DSG-equipped SEAT León, but he was quickly caught and passed by the fast-starting #112 Honda Civic TCR of Peter Rikli. Rikli led the way unti…
Switzerland has said it will extend its support to Macedonia as envisaged it the new, three-year strategy. "Today Switzerland ranks among Macedonia’s largest bilateral cooperation partners and the new Swiss Cooperation Strategy 2017 – 2020 foresees financial commitments of 76 million Swiss francs," the Swiss Embassy to Macedonia said Friday in a press release. The overall goal of this new strategy is to support Macedonia in its reforms to meet European standards and values and to build a socially-inclusive democracy and ma…
The Youth and Sports Agency promoted a new internet site, www.iss.mk , which will be a one-stop-shop for the Macedonian public for all sports related information. The site will include information on the sports associations, their experts and available facilities, scholarships open to the public, awards and recognitions, and international competitions. All national sport associations have access to the site and will update it with current events and latest developments, the Agency informed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warmly told his Macedonian counterpart yesterday that the Cyrillic script and Slavic literacy “came from Macedonian soil”, a statement met with condemnation in Bulgaria. In a case of perfect timing, Mr Putin made his statement during the Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov's visit to Moscow, which coincided with the Bulgarian public holiday celebrating Saints Cyril and Methodius, authors of the Glagolitic alphabet that served as a basis for Cyrillic. Several Bulgarian ministers and diplomats, includi…
The Macedonian Association of Film Producers has become a member of the International Federation of Film Producers Associations, FIAPF. The decision was taken during the General Assembly of FIAPF in Cannes on 20 May 2017. The Macedonian Association of Film Producers also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Association of Producers from Kosovo in Cannes on 21 May. The Macedonian Association of Film Producers has 15 members, all of whom had to meet the criteria set out by FIAPF. "This is a very important day for Macedon…
"Many in the Balkans" think that the breakup of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has brought more harm than benefit, according to a new survey. The Gallup poll, based on face-to-face interviews with at least 1,000 respondent from across the region, found that "Yugo-nostalgia" was still widespread, particularly in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. "People living in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are the most likely say the breakup harmed their country, with more than three in four residents characterizi…
The Macedonian Basketball Federation signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Faculty for Physical Education which will in the future be tasked with evaluating young potential basketball players. The program begins with the U-15 national basketball team and testings will be performed by a team led by professor Milan Naumovski.
New scandal involving Zaev’s ordes from the SDS. LGBT and Soros activist Pavle Bogoevski who is also an SDS MP in the new Parliament is said to have taken part in organizing protests against Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade – reports RTS. Bogoevski himself came to the forefront in 2015 and 2016 as a leader of the Soros led revolution who dumped paint on Government properties. Prior to that, Bogoevski spent two years in USAid financed camps in Ohrid and Serbia where he underwent training hosted by notorious CIA backed “Kanvas…
The National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia (NBRM) in its April projection forecasts that Macedonia's economy in 2017 will grow by 2.5 percent, followed by a 3.2 percent acceleration in 2018. NBRM's expectations remain unchanged over the level of inflation compared with October and expects increase in prices to gain momentum, i.e. a 1.3 percent inflation in 2017 and 2 percent inflation next year, Dimitar Bogov, Governor of the National Bank, told a news conference Thursday. NBRM expects a reduction in deficit of the current…
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia presented Tuesday in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow the 'Patriarch Alexy II' award to Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov for his efforts to strengthen the role of religion in society, promote Christian values and religious tolerance, as well as improve the ties between Orthodox nations. The prize of the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations (IFUOCN) are awarded annually to the heads of states, governments and parliaments, dignitaries of t…
The average salary in March 2017 rose to 22.445 denars (367 EUR), an increase of 1,8 percent compared to the same period in 2016, the State Statistics Bureau informed on Monday. This is the post-tax, net salary. Increases were recorded in the financial and insurance sector (7,5 percent), mining and quarrying (7,2 percent) and art, leisure and entertainment (6,7 percent). The average gross, pre-tax salary was 32.999 denars (540 EUR). The Bureau found that 1,3 percent of all employees did not receive their salaries in March.
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Macedonia faces a “threat to its statehood on the part of opposition parties with foreign backing”. Speaking at a joint press statement with Croatian Foreign Affairs Minister Davor Ivo Stier, Lavrov said that the political crisis in Macedonia can only be resolved with respect for the Macedonian Constitution. “We discussed the situation in Macedonia, which is a cause for concern”, Lavrov said during the joint press statement. During the political crisis in Macedonia, Russia several t…
With a grand concert by leading Macedonian pianist Simon Trpceski and the Philharmonic Orchestra conducted Vladimir Ashkenazi, the new building of the Philharmonic Orchestra was inaugurated on Sunday evening. President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev and Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska Milevska cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, while VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski, under whose premiership the construction was initiated, was welcomed with applause when he arrived for the concert. The orchestra improvised its work …
Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov met Saturday in Amman with Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO and discussed current and future activities and projects of Macedonia in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Both interlocutors reaffirmed the excellent cooperation between Macedonia and UNESCO and expressed readiness for its expansion towards further realization of projects in the areas of culture, education, science, communications, information, as well as programmes for youth…
Jordan is a country that is a positive example that contributes to stability in the Middle East and Macedonia’s interest is to be present in the security and intelligence, but also in economic plan, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said after meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Jordan is a country that is constructive and major contributor to peace in the region. Jordan hosts the World Economic Forum for many years and the role of the King is highlighted by many, because Jordan succeeds in this period of great turbulence in many…
Macedonia declares its readiness to start discussions on expanding the provisions of the free trade agreement with Ukraine. This is reported by the press service of the Economic Development and Trade Ministry of Ukraine following the working meeting of Deputy Economic Development and Trade Minister, Trade Representative of Ukraine Natalia Mykolska with the delegation of Macedonia. "As of now, there are two areas of trade relations, which require priority attention. These are the deepening of obligations under the existing Ukr…
The new state-of-the-art concert hall of the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra will open on May 21 with the exclusive concert including Macedonian renowned pianist Simon Trpceski as soloist, under the baton of famous conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. The concert would include pieces by Macedonian composer Trajko Prokopiev, as well as Russia's Sergei Prokofiev and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. After 73 years of its existence, the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra finally gets its own home. The Ministry of Culture has invested a …
Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Nikola Todorov signed on Friday a contract with a consortium that includes Granit, Beton and the Italian INSO company to build the new Mother Teresa clinic center in Skopje. The major healthcare investment project is valued at 72 million EUR and its construction should be completed in 45 months. Italian teams worked together with experts from Spain, Germany, Greece and other countries over the past four years to plan the project, that will be build within the current central clinical complex in Sk…
Pelister brought the Macedonian Cup trophy to Bitola, after beating Shkendija in the finals. Playing in Strumica, Pelister held back the attacking oriented Shkendija team during the regular time as well as the extended time. Shkendija players Besart Ibrahimi and Besart Abdurahimi failed to score in their penalty attempts. Pelister missed one penalty attempt but in the end goals from Filip Petrov, Goce Todorovski, Martin Kovacev and Baze Ilijoski were enought for the cup. It is the first time in 16 years that Pelister won the cup, and with…
French Embassy and the French Institute in Skopje organise Thursday a debate “Mountain tourism and ecotourism for sustainable development of Macedonia.” Raphael Trouiller, director of the French association Tétraktys, Gilbert Mantovani, deputy president and founder of association and Olivier Boeuf owner of Macedonia trekking website (http://www.macedonia-trekking.com) will participate at the debate. End
Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov named Zoran Zaev, leader of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, as holder of the mandate to form the next Government. The move came after Zaev submitted a written letter to the office of the President, in which he guarantees that the Tirana platform will not be used as basis or condition to form the Government. President Ivanov rejected Zaev's demands to give him the mandate for months, after SDSM announced that they have the support of three ethnic Albanian parties that signed the Tirana platform,…
VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski said that the process of building a national gas distribution network, initiated by his Government, is proceeding with excellent pace, with three inter-city pipelines being built. The combined length of the lines currently being built is 200 kilometers and the investment amounts to 80 million EUR. "This is a major investment that will bring great benefits to companies and individuals in the cities being connected. Work is on-going with great speed and, in the mid term, the project provides that t…
The Macedonian Manifesto group of commentators and intellectuals will promote their latest book, “A Name of Light and Hurt” on Tuesday evening at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Skopje. Members of the Macedonian Manifesto say that the book is a rallying cry against a coming, final attempt to change the name of Macedonia and deny the Macedonian national identity. “Pressures on Macedonia to change its name can be seen as a ne form of genocide, based on the illegal Greek demands, accepted by the United States and the European Union.…
The European Parliament (EP) has said it won’t vote on a Macedonia resolution with respect to the 2016 European Commission progress report about the country, MIA reports Monday from Strasbourg. The EP has said the resolution on Macedonia will not be put up for voting this week after being already postponed several times. The resolutions on Serbia, Kosovo and Albania – other EU membership hopefuls – aren’t going to be voted as well. They were supposed to be voted by MEPs in March. The political state of play in each of the Balkan count…
The Macedonian football team arranged for a friendly game against Turkey that will be played on June 5th in Skopje. it will be the main preparation match ahead of the World Championship qualifier game against Spain on June 11th. Turkey will also use the opportunity to prepare for its match against Kosovo in Skadar on June 11th. Its team is led by the Barcelona star Arda Turan and has a host of other top players around him. Macedonia has played seven games against Turkey so far, and has won one and drawn one, while losing five of them…
Associations of Macedonians from Western Australia sent protest letters to the Untied States Ambassador in Australia, as well as the Ambassadors of a number of European countries, protesting against the meddling in Macedonian domestic political affairs. "The USA ambassador to Macedonia Mr Jess Baily in particular, together with the State Department’s continued overt and covert support for Albanian separatists and extremists, is destabilizing Macedonia and the whole Balkan region and as such is a dangerous and unwarranted intervention…
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