Makedonien|Mazedonien News

Macedonia plans to build around 300 kilometres of motorways and high-speed roads, as well as around 200 kilometres of roads, over the next five years, Macedonian Vecer daily writes.  The plan envisages an overall reconstruction of the country’s infrastructure. According to Ljupco Georgievski, director of the state road management directorate, investments made in the infrastructure would help and will be to the favour of the citizens. “As of next year, we will start work on the construction of 11 motorways, as the priority will be put on the one from Miladinovce to Stip, and the one between Kicevo and Ohrid,” he said.

On the eve of the UN General Assembly meeting a group of Macedonian intellectuals have sent a letter to international institutions and the most influential countries in the world regarding the Bulgarian state’s behaviour towards the Republic of Macedonia, the Macedonian Vecer daily writes. In the letter titled The Bulgarian Philosophy of Hyena a group of intellectuals known as the Macedonian Manifesto refer to Bulgaria’s behaviour after acceding to the EU. Realizing that Macedonian citizens faced a very restrictive EU visa measures and being aware of the economic difficulties the country experienced after the fall of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria officially introduced and developed a system and mechanisms through which many Macedonian nationals received Bulgarian citizenship. It is a historical fact that Sofia insists on making the identity of the Macedonian people and their state Bulgarian. Sofia does not take Macedonians as a separate nation and claims they are unconscious “Bulgarians” a...

The Macedonian government has earmarked some EUR 2 million from next year’s draft budget towards advertisements of the country in global media, Skopje-based “Nova Makedonija” daily reports. The ads are aimed at attracting foreign investments.  Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski signed a contract with Forbes Magazine two days ago. The magazine will organise a business forum presenting the investment opportunities of the Republic of Macedonia. The topic will also be covered in eight editions of the magazine. The government refused to disclose the cost of the Forbes contarct.

Macedonia and the Czech Republic signed Wednesday a protocol defining the guidelines of the countries' economic and trade relations as part of the first-ever two-day session of the mixed committee for bilateral economic cooperation. Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Milan Hovorka and Macedonia's Deputy Economy Minister Hristijan Delev signed the document and also served as co-chairs of the session, MIA reports from Prague. At a meeting, they reviewed the potentials of the countries' economies and discussed future agreements for cooperation that are of mutual interest. The joint committee comes as a result of the agreement on economic and industrial cooperation between the Macedonian and Czech governments signed in 2010. "We are aware that we need to create an environment in which an economic cooperation will be enabled. Our objective is to establish a framework in which Czech and Macedonian companies will function as partners," Deputy Mi...

MEP Eduard Kukan today said that Macedonia had to begin the process of negotiations for joining the European Union long time ago, and he hope that the Report on the country progress for this year will contain the same reference. - I think it should have happened long ago, it is not fair that the Commission for four consecutive years  made recommendations that is fully supported by the European Parliament. We will adopt the same resolution this year. The Council, which makes final decisions, unfortunately, does not listen to us. They always postpone the decision for six months. I sincerely hope that report this year will contain the same reference as the Parliament has always supported the enlargement process and hope that this year will keep the same view, said Kukan. He considers that the European Commission will objectively assess the situation in Macedonia, and considers that it is truly extraordinary how Government managed to sustain the public support for EU mem...

The Government has defined the 2014 Budget and prepared a review of this year's Budget, which will be forwarded for adoption to the Parliament on Friday. Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said at today's press conference the review would encompass only two positions - funds are added to the Fund for Pension and Disability Insurance and the Ministry of Education and Science. Pertaining to next year's Budget, he said it would amount to Denar 176,5 billion (EUR 2,83 billion), including a deficit of 3.5 percent, funded from domestic and foreign sources. The budget stipulates increase of administration salaries, pensions and social transfers, as well as capital investments and agriculture subsidies. Capital investments will increase by 20 percent, aimed towards road and railway infrastructure, education, health, energy, communal infrastructure, free economic zones. The GDP is to rise by 3.2 percent and the inflation 3.3 percent. The GDP i...

Croatia is set to support Macedonia on its way to EU integrations. It appears so from this week's meeting between the Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic and his Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski. The two sides were mostly discussing possibilities of improving economic cooperation between the two countries. Nikola Gruevski at the same time welcomed Croatian companies to Macedonia reminding them of "lowest expenses for making business" in the country.  Croatian Times

Russian energy giant Gazprom is interested in cooperating with Macedonia. Russian energy giant Gazprom is interested in cooperating with Macedonia, which is already part of the company's development plans, Gazprom President Aleksey Miller said  at a meeting with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. Gazprom is also interested to review possibilities for other future investments in Macedonia, Miller said. Gruevski and Miller discussed on the further realization of the South Stream project and concrete steps for its setting into operation, the Government said in a press release. On July 23, Macedonia signed an agreement with the Russian Federation on cooperation in the construction of an offshoot of the South Stream gas pipeline in a bid to provide long-term gas supply in the country. Construction works for South Stream have been already launched and the project is expected to be completed in 2018.

A project on Turkish-Macedonian health week in April of next year is to be developed, including a week-long visit of Turkish doctors to Macedonia, working alongside Macedonian colleagues, agreed late Sunday Health Minister Nikola Todorov and Turkish counterpart Mehmet Muezzinoglu, MIA reports from Cesme. "Renowned Turkish doctors will work on interventions and methods not carried out in Macedonia, or ones in the initial stages", said Minister Todorov. Teams will be established within the countries' health ministries, working on the project's implementation. "The goal is to enable transfer of know-how, skills, but also practice on interventions and methods not being performed in the Republic of Macedonia. The project should raise the knowledge and skills of Macedonian doctors, thus raising the quality of Macedonian health", added Todorov. Minister Todorov will address the 63. Annual Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe on Monday. ...

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose by 3.9 percent in the second quarter of 2013, said the State Statistical Office. In this quarter, an increase was registered in most of the sections. The biggest increase was recorded in sections F - Construction by 33.2%, I - Transport, storage and communication by 7.5% and (C+D+E) - Mining and quarrying, Manufacturing and Electricity, gas and water supply by 4.1%. Household final consumption, including Non-profit institutions serving households, increased by 3.5% in nominal terms compared to the same period of 2012, and its share in the GDP structure was 75.9%. In the same period, Export of goods and services increased by 1.1%in nominal terms, while Import of goods and services also increased by 1.3%. Only Latvia and Lithuania have higher growth than Macedonia in the second quarter of the year and ranking covers all European countries. A smaller increase than Macedonia there are highly developed eurozone states Finland, France, A...

6. September 2013, 12:33 Matznetter: Österreich ist zweitgrößter Auslandsinvestor in Mazedonien - bilaterale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen sind ausbaufähig Gemeinsam mit Invest Macedonia veranstaltete die AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AUSTRIA der Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKÖ) heute (Freitag) ein Forum für Unternehmen, die an einer Intensivierung ihrer wirtschaftlichen Kontakte zu Mazedonien interessiert sind. Eine hochrangige mazedonische Delegation, angeführt von Vizepremierminister und Finanzminister Zoran Stavreski, präsentierte die Standortvorteile Mazedoniens - wie eine 10%-Flat Tax für Unternehmen und Privatpersonen, einfache Firmengründungen, gute Infrastrukturanbindung durch den EU-Korridor X von Österreich über Serbien nach Griechenland oder den Zugang zu 650 Millionen Kunden durch mehrere Freihandelsabkommen des Balkanstaates. In seiner Eröffnungsrede betonte WKÖ-Vizepräsident Christoph Matznetter, dass "wir - insbesondere die Wirtschaft - darauf warten, dass alle Balk...

An unexpected move by Kosovo ... Kosovo embargoed confectionery products , cereals and dairy products, canned fruits and vegetables , wine and alcoholic beverages , and tobacco and tobacco products from Macedonia . What will be the reaction from the Macedonian side remains to be seen, reaction of the Macedonian Government .

Macedonia ranks 73rd in the global competitiveness index compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report 2013-14, climbing seven places compared to last year when it ranked 80th. Compared to the countries in the region, Bulgaria is 57th, Slovenia is 62nd, Montenegro-67th, Croatia-75th, BiH-87th, Greece-91st, Albania-95th and Serbia is 101st. According to the WEF report, out of 148 countries worldwide, Switzerland is the most competitive country, followed by Singapore, Finland and Germany. Sweden, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Japan and Great Britain round up the top ten. WEF defines competitiveness as a summary of institutions, policies and factors determining the level of productivity of a country and its report also includes results of a survey within the business community on the government's efficiency and transparency.

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Croatian President Ivo Josipovic expressed satisfaction Thursday in Skopje with continuous advancing of the excellent relations between the two countries. There are no outstanding issues between Macedonia and Croatia, the interlocutors agreed, saying that the good, friendly political relations and intensive dialogue at the highest level makes room for more intensive economic cooperation that will bring progress to both countries, the Government said in a press release. Gruevski-Josipovic meeting also addressed the significance of supporting the realization of Macedonia's strategic goals - the EU and NATO membership. Gruevski briefed the Croatian President about Macedonia's reform progress to that effect.  He also presented Macedonia's favorable business climate for foreign investors. There are several successful examples of successful Croatian investments in Macedonia, the PM said, mentioning the company 'Agroko...

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Dime Spasov and Turkey's Minister of Work and Social Security Faruk Celik signed Thursday in Ankara a cooperation agreement in the field of labour, social security and employment. The treaty is a resumption and further advancement of the cooperation between Macedonia and Turkey in connection to labour and social insurance. After signing the document, Minister Spasov said it would pave the way toward establishing cooperation in the creation and implementation of labour, employment and social security policies. "The cooperation involves exchange of experience and knowledge in relation to the already mentioned areas and strategic plans for the future in a bid to solve the problems and improve the living standards of the people in Turkey and Macedonia," Spasov stressed. For 13 years, Macedonia and Turkey are successfully implementing the social insurance agreement enabling Macedonian and Turkish nationals to exercise their right...

" I saw Macedonia - Montenegro match... I am sorry to say Macedonia lost in a strange way, the least I can say is, it got robbed by the officials. The officials must have stopped the match and review video footage if for instance they were not sure. Why do we have all this technology and dozens of cameras if referees do not use it like in the NBA. However, I must add referees are people and they make mistakes, however teams pay dearly for their mistakes, in this case Macedonia ." says Sabonis in an interview with Macedonian media for the upcoming match against Lithuania. Meanwhile Macedonia's coach Alesh Pipan was fuming more this morning than last night. He too reviewed the video footage which enraged him like the rest of us. " Saw the video footage 10 times. One referee counted the basket, the other two referees quickly surrounded him and pushed him to change his mind, which he did. What is this, FIBA tournament or a high school play? As you can imagine my...

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Canadian Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella expressed satisfaction Wednesday in Skopje with the excellent relations between the two countries, as well as readiness for their further advancing. The officials discussed on possibilities for bolstering the cooperation in the spheres of economy, trade exchange and investments. In this respect they pointed out the need of signing bilateral agreements on investment protection, double taxation avoidance and air traffic,  the Government said in a press release. Gruevski thanked Kinsella over Canada's support of Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration and realization of the country's strategic goals. Gruevski also raised the issue of possible liberalization of Canada's visa regime for the citizens of Macedonia. He suggested for Ottawa to open a representative office in Macedonia, enabling citizens to apply for a Canadian visa. Gruevski briefed Kinsella about the ongoing...

A new swimming marathon organised jointly by  Macedonia and Albania would be one of the biggest Balkan sporting events and is expected to draw tourists while improving relations between the two countries. Macedonian sports officials proposed and envisioned the marathon to be a 40-kilometre race from Podgradec, Albania to Ohrid, Macedonia, and expect some of the region and the world's best swimmers to participate. "Sport can be the best ambassador for the entire region. Through joint organisation of a marathon we will all contribute to improving relations between the two countries and to reducing regional tensions," Nikola Malenko, secretary of the Ohridski Branovi

Macedonia's public debt dfell up to and including July 31. According to data published by the Ministry of Finance, national debt is 33.6% of GDP. Compared with data from the second quarter of 2013 when it stood at 34.2%, the debt dropped by 0.6%. The total debt of the central government up to and including July 31 is 2.607.7 million euros. External debt is 1.611 million euros and internal debt stands at 1.059 million euros.

Nikola Poposki , received today copies of credentials of newly appointed Ambassador of the Italian Republic in the country.. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia , Nikola Poposki , received today the copies of credentials of the newly appointed Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Italian Republic in the Republic of Macedonia , Ernesto Massimino Bellelli. At the meeting was expressed readiness to continue the positive development of Macedonian - Italian bilateral relations and cooperation in the spirit of mutual understanding and friendship. It was concluded that there is a very good basis for further dynamic development of bilateral political relations in the future , with the expectation that the active political dialogue will lead to closer economic cooperation between the two countries. Minister Poposki said that Macedonia particularly appreciates and is grateful for the support and assistance of the Italian Republic for early...

Metalurg Skopje und Vardar Pro Skopje sind beide in der Gruppe C der Handball Champions League, die weiteren Gegner unserer beiden Teams sind Dinamo Minsk, Thun, Barcelona und PSG. In der Qualifikation sicherte sich Metalurg den Platz in der CL im Duell mit Hin- und Rückspiel (26:16/19:23) gegen Pick Szeged  aus Ungarn.  Auch geht es für beide Mannschaften gegen den makedonischen Superstar Kiril Lazarov der seit dieser Saison für Barcelona antritt. Diese direkten Duelle werden in Makedonien von ALFA TV Live übertragen.

Macedonia's tender procedure for purchase of passenger cars for the railway has started. A tender and the contract is expected to be concluded at the end of the year, announced today the Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.   - It is an investment which is about 25 million, which has already begun. A tender and expect the deal to be concluded sometime later this year, in December, Macedonia's Minister said that was the opening of a new multipurpose playground Gorce Petrov. Passenger cars should arrive 12 months after signing the contract or at the end of 2014. Minister reminded that the purchase of six garnish of cars, four of which are diesel and two electric cars garnish, who collected a total of 1,200 passengers.   - Sixty percent of existing passenger cars will be replaced with new. It is a serious investment of 25 million euros. Until 35 years are invested in the purchase of new cars, said the Prime Minister.

Macedonian police in cooperation with the Customs Administration busted an international heroin trafficking ring, operating from Turkey via Greece and Macedonia with final destination in Western European countries. 2.43 kilos of high quality heroin are seized and two persons are detained, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release on Sunday. The heroin, which was found in a vehicle during a routine inspection at Bogorodica border crossing, could be sold for €300.000 on the drug black market. Criminal charges are to be brought against two persons.