Macedonia

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Greek PM convenes ministerial meeting to discuss name issue: Greek media

http://english.republika.mk/greek-pm-convenes-ministerial-meeting-to-discuss-name-issue-greek-media/

Several ministers of the Greek government, including Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, who is junior government coalition partner, are attending a meeting at the prime minister’s palace after being convened by Premier Alexis Tsipras, MIA reports from Athens.

The focal point of the meeting, dubbed ‘an emergency mini-ministerial council’ by the Greek media, is the name issue, reports MIA’s correspondent. No official statement has been released by the PM’s office at least for now. Greek media, however, have already announced it and reportedly it was set to begin at 11:00 local time.

Considering the fact that the name issue in Greece has turned into a internal matter on one hand, while on the other no official name proposal has been tabled yet, the meeting at the PM’s seat is more likely to feature an internal affairs character. It is likely that the meeting will serve as an attempt to align the positions of the two coalition partners in the government. Namely, Alexis Tsipras of Syriza advocates for a composite name that will include the term Macedonia, whereas Panos Kammenos of the party Independent Greeks rejects any name that will include the term Macedonia.

The web-portal News247 reports that FM Kotzias is expected to inform the ministers, including PM Tsipras, about all new details emerging from the name negotiations between Athens and Skopje. At the same time, the PM’s objective is to find a common ground with Panos Kammenos despite his party’s refusal of a complex name proposal, the Greek media have reported.

Today’s meeting is the first such event after the new year and the first meeting on the concrete issue, MIA reports from Athens.

Greek media have been reporting that activities involving the name issue have gained momentum, which has resulted in Thursday’s mini-ministerial meeting. They have found links of today’s forum with the telephone conversation between Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev and his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras and FM Nikos Kotzias, with the upcoming visit of Deputy PM Bujar Osmani to Athens and with the fresh round of name talks in New York.

MIA has already reported that the ministerial council meeting, a session of the Syriza parliamentary group and the tet-a-tet meeting of Tsipras and Kammenos are seen as likely initiatives run by the Greek PM regarding the name issue. After the mini-ministerial meeting, most probably PM Tsipras will define his next moves, it is reported.

As regards the upcoming meeting of UN name mediator Matthew Nimetz with the countries’ negotiators, media outlets in Greece report that it is expected some concrete proposal or concrete proposals could be probably tabled because time is running out and the deadline for finding a solution by the July NATO summit is expiring.

Greece: Mini-ministerial fails to solve government coalition rift over name issue

http://english.republika.mk/greece-mini-ministerial-fails-to-solve-government-coalition-rift-over-name-issue/

A mini-ministerial meeting’, convened by Premier Alexis Tsipras in Athens, has ended after little over two hours with ministers Nikos Kotzias and Panos Kammenos retaining their well-known, firm positions, MIA reports from the Greek capital.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias left the meeting to speak with members of the media giving optimistic statements. He said that a solution was needed that would include a compound erga omnes name. Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, junior government coalition partner, said his position remained unchanged and he disagreed with the term Macedonia being included in the country’s name. The minister, however, said that he trusted Kotzias and that a national solution would be sought.

FM Kotzias said 2018 would be the year when foreign policy issues would be resolved.

Involving the name issue, Kotzias said the government continued to support and negotiate for a single compound name for all uses, as already proposed by Greece in Bucharest. He added that the government was in favour of consulting with all the parties and political forces in the country on the matter.

Asked by reporters outside the prime ministerial’s seat in Athens if he was optimistic, he replied: “I am always optimistic”.

Minister Kammenos said he maintained his position stressing that the decision of the 1992 leaders’ meeting was still enforced, MIA reports.

According to him, there are two important decisions involving the ‘Skopje issue.’ The first one is the decision of the party leaders in 1992, and the second one is the Bucharest (NATO summit) decision. “I believe that the negotiations should continue and I have faith in the minister of foreign affairs,” Kammenos told reporters.

Asked whether he maintained the position of a name without the term Macedonia, Kammenos – leader of the right-wing party Independent Greeks – referred again to the 1992 leaders’ meeting in which it was decided that a compound name should not include ‘Macedonia’.

Greek media: Osmani to visit Athens, Tsipras-Zaev meeting likely in Davos

http://english.republika.mk/greek-media-osmani-to-visit-athens-tsipras-zaev-meeting-likely-in-davos/

January is the month in which the events related to the name issue are expected to develop, Greek media reported, and this position is strengthened with possible meetings that would occur in the upcoming period.

The visit of Deputy PM Bujar for EU Affairs Bujar Osmani to Athens, fresh round of name talks, the visit of NATO Secretary General to Skopje and possible meeting of two countries’ prime ministers in Davos are activities foreseen for January, Greek media reported.

Sky and Action 24 televisions, To Vima and Ta Nea newspapers and part of the Greek news sites referring to their sources reported that Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Affairs Bujar Osmani will visit Athens on Monday or Tuesday and will meet with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and his deputy Georgios Katrougalos, MIA’s correspondent reports from Athens.

Greek media citing information published in the Macedonian media on Wednesday, announced that mediator Nimetz will hold a fresh round of talks with the representatives of both countries in two weeks, while on January 17 and 18 the NATO Secretary General will visit Skopje after 3 years.

According to unconfirmed information in the Greek media, if there is progress at talks, and if both prime ministers and Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras leave for Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum from January 23 to 26, then they are very likely to hold a bilateral meeting.

In Greece, Macedonia remains a “hot topic”, given that each party has its own position and demands. The government coalition has different positions, SYRIZA seeks erga omnes name, Independent Greeks oppose the use of the term Macedonia in the name, opposition parties demand a unique and common position from the Greek government, and the Greek government calls for a clear position from the opposition parties whether it will support possible agreement with the neighbouring country, MIA reports from Athens.

Zaev-Tsipras phone-conversation – top news in Greece

http://english.republika.mk/zaev-tsipras-phone-conversation-top-news-in-greece/

High-Level Encounters for Skopje’s Issue; Skopje Premier’s Phone Conversation with Tsipras and Kotzias; Zaev: There is a Willingness for Solution; Optimism for Name Solution – these are some of the headlines of Greek media, which quote the Macedonian Prime Minister’s statements at yesterday’s press conference.

The recent developments in connection with the Macedonian-Greek relations have been part of the central news on all Greek TV networks, unlike before, when the media in the country rarely had room for news on the name dispute, MIA reports from Athens.

The media have been citing the positions of both official Skopje and Athens, reporting especially about (Macedonian PM) Zoran Zaev’s phone talks with (Greek PM and FM) Alexis Tsipras and Nikos Kotzias respectively during his private visit to Thessaloniki.

‘The Premiers of Greece and Skopje voiced optimism just a few days after their phone conversation,’ Greek TV Antenna said.

‘FYROM PM Zoran Zaev voiced optimism that a solution to the name issue would be found in the course of 2018, enabling the country to join NATO and commence the EU accession talks,’ Greek TV Alpha reported.

Greek PM’s Office also issued a press release, saying that Tsipras had a phone conversation with and extended New Year ‘s greetings to Zaev.

Sela: Zaev’s concept of “one society for all” is a big lie

http://english.republika.mk/sela-zaevs-concept-of-one-society-for-all-is-a-big-lie/

Alliance for Albanians leader, Zijadin Sela, addressed Wednesday Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and said that residents of Gostivar were excluded from the concept of “one society for all” and added that it is just one big lie.

“Gostivar residemts are an example that the prime minister’s remarks about a society for all and life in Macedonia are just one lie behind which are low political games of SDSM and their coalition partner DUI,” Sela said.

Sela stated this during his visit to Gostivar and mayor Arben Taravari, who is also the party’s general secretary.

 

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Zaev for Greek TV Alpha: I don’t agree with the position that Skopje is the only heir of Alexander the Great

http://english.republika.mk/zaev-for-greek-tv-alpha-i-dont-agree-with-the-position-that-skopje-is-the-only-heir-of-alexander-the-great/

In an interview for Greek television Alpha, Zoran Zaev discusses the name issue and its resolution within the first six months of 2018, according to a brief announcement by the TV station. The Macedonian Prime Minister also talks about Tsipras, Kammenos and Mitsotakis, as well as the politics of Gruevski and Macedonia’s intentions, MIA reports from Athens.

The interview will be shown this Sunday, on Christmas. “The Christmas address,” as Alpha TV describes the interview, will also be broadcast by a Macedonian television channel at the same time.

“In his first interview given to Greek media,” writes Alpha TV in its announcement, “Zaev reiterates his intention to contribute to the negotiation, with reciprocal concessions, about the name issue with FYROM. Addressing both the Greek people and the people of his country, Zaev states that it is in the best interests of the two countries to find a solution within the first half of 2018.”

The Macedonian PM talks about the mutual interests of both countries, as well as Alexis Tsipras, his coalition partner Panos Kammenos, and the leader of the opposition party New Democracy Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

He reveals, according to Alpha, what he has in common with the Greek Prime Minister and shares his opinion that maybe “God willed it that way, to find a solution to the name issue”.

“Zoran Zaev renounces the practices of his predecessor Nikola Gruevski,” Alpha states in its online announcement, “and explains why he does not agree with the position of previous prime ministers that ‘the people of Skopje are the only heirs of Alexander the Great’.”

The discussion, writes Alpha, reveals Skopje’s intentions and the extent of the concessions Skopje is prepared to make.

PM Zaev’s interview will be broadcast at 8 pm Athens time on Sunday, immediately after Alpha’s prime time news. The television channel’s official site has already slotted the 30-minute program titled “Zaev’s Interview for Alpha.”

Tzipras and Siriza see perfect opportunity for new name for Macedonia

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/05/tzipras-and-siriza-see-perfect-opportunity-for-new-name-for-macedonia/

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has again voiced optimism over the name issue and expects concrete steps from the Macedonian authorities. He believes there is a window of opportunity for a solution in 2018 and decisions must be taken, MIA reports from Athens.

“2018 is an important year for Greece because we are finally getting out of the bailout packages, along with an important window of opportunity for the name settlement. I am convinced now is the time to take the required decisions and justify Greece’s role as a leading force on the Balkans, but also a pillar of stability in the broader region,” says Tsipras in the weekend edition of newspaper Nea Selida.

He says opposition New Democracy is assuming an irresponsible position, forgetting “the historic responsibility of not solving the problem in the past.”

Tsipras expresses hope the opposition will realize that the name issue should not be subject to inter-partisan outwitting, and prerequisites for a broad parliamentary consensus will be created if there is a perspective for a solution.

 

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Zaev: My country’s red lines are not to keep our name

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/08/zaev-my-countrys-red-lines-are-not-to-keep-our-name/

http://republika.mk/868177

In an interview with Greek based Alfa TV, US Embassy GMO product Zoran Zaev failed to mention Macedonia once, instead using references such as “my country”, “the country where I am PM” etc. During the interview, Zaev explained Macedonia must change the name, even alluding that the red lines are for Macedonia not to keep its name in 2018!? In addition, Zaev added the renaming of the airport is a done deal.

In an apparent synchronized action, a Soros owned medium in Albania has already sent out a test balloon (Infoshqip) and released details of what it termed “already agreed” new name for Macedonia which meets Greece’s demands that Macedonia is a “new” recently created artificial nation.

Name: Republika Nova Makedonija(mk-lat) – Republic of New Macedonia(eng) – Δημοκρατία της Νέα Μακεδονία(gr) – Dimokratia tis Nea Makedonia(gr-lat)

Short name: Нова Македонија – Nova Makedonija(mk), New Macedonia(eng), Νέα Μακεδονία(gr).

Language: Sovremen Makedonski jazik(мк), MODERN Macedonian/Makedonski(eng), Σλαβομακεδονική γλώσσα – Slavomakedoniki glossa(gr). This alludes that not just the country, but the language is new and ‘modern’ creation.

Nationality (Државјанство): Македонско / New Macedonian.

Church: New Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric(eng), Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία της Νέα Μακεδονίας – Αρχιεπισκοπή της Οχρίδας(gr).

The veracity and timing of this document is certainly questionable, considering it came from Tirana based Soros owned newspaper.

In Macedonia, the country is run by US Ambassador and CIA degenerate Jess Baily. His strategy has been from day 1 to bombard the Macedonian public with fictitious scandals, detainment of civilians by kangaroo courts whose freedom will later be used as a bargaining chip in exchange for a new name.

Meanwhile, quisling Ivanov is nowhere to be found and has continually ignored treasonous statements by Zaev.

Osmani visits Athens on Tuesday for talks with Kotzias, Katrougalos

http://english.republika.mk/osmani-visits-athens-on-tuesday-for-talks-with-kotzias-katrougalos/

Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister responsible for European affairs, Bujar Osmani on Tuesday will pay an official visit to Athens. He is scheduled to meet with the Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias, and Giorgos Katrougalos, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias will host a working luncheon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 9 January, for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Integration, Bujar Osmani. The talks will focus on European issues of mutual interest. Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Katrougalos will also meet with Mr. Osmani,” the Greek Foreign Ministry has announced in a press release, MIA reports.

Media outlets in Greece describe Osmani’s upcoming visit as being the first item of the January agenda involving the name issue. The growing momentum between Skopje and Athens also includes the visit of the UN Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to Macedonia, the fresh round of talks of UN envoy Matthew Nimetz with the countries’ name negotiators and the likelihood of a meeting between the premiers of Macedonia and Greece in Davos on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, MIA’s correspondent from Athens reports.

In November in an interview with Greece’s daily Kathimerini, Deputy PM Osmani said a positive incentive was being detected between Skopje and Athens calling 2018 ‘a golden year’ for finding a solution. According to him, the country remaining in the threshold of NATO and EU could have tragic consequences both for Macedonia and the region as well.

Mickoski: We do not know what are the possible solutions to the name dispute, nor how the negotiations are going

http://english.republika.mk/mickoski-we-do-not-know-what-are-the-possible-solutions-to-the-name-dispute-nor-how-the-negotiations-are-going/

After Sunday’s morning liturgy, VMRO-DPMNE party leader Hristijan Mickoski said that, by tradition, every year he spent Christmas in the main church in Skopje. He added that this is a special day for him and his family and congratulated the holiday to all citizens of Macedonia.

“Today, except for the Christmas holiday, it is my name day as well. On Christmas Eve, we break a bread with a coin inside it and this year I found it. Children with the participation of the Badnik procession express their determination and belief in God from the very youngest years. I think that such children can only build themselves in the right person who will respect everyone,”said Mickoski.

As regards the name dispute Mickoski said that until now they have no information on how the negotiations are going. According to him, they could not comment on anything, which would be a decision of Prime Ministers Zaev and Tsipras.

Bulgaria decided to be referring to Macedonia as FYROM

http://english.republika.mk/bulgaria-decided-to-be-referring-to-macedonia-as-fyrom/

Bulgarian Ambassador to Brussels Dimitar Chanchev said Monday that Bulgaria will be referring to Macedonia as FYROM during its six-month EU presidency.

Although relations between the two countries are improving, and governments have held joint sessions, Ambassador Chanchev in Brussels said that it is their obligation.

“Although Bulgaria has recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name, during the EU presidency it has an obligation to address Macedonia under the temporary reference FYROM,” Chanchev said.

 

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SDSM bulldozes Macedonian road signs after passing language law

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/11/sdsm-bulldozes-macedonian-road-signs-after-passing-language-law/

The SDSM passed in Parliament the highly contested and unconstitutional language law without the opposition who is boycotting all Parliament work.

The language law was introduced by elements in the CIA via the so called Tirana Platform and it was only a matter of time for the SDSM to pass it. Although it was passed today, the SDSM led Government begun dismantling Macedonian road signs across the country yesterday, first starting in Ohrid, Bitola and Prilep.

The language law is deemed unconstitutional by all experts in the country. According to our sources, Ivanov does not intend to sign it into law. However, we have seen US operatives change Ivanov’s mind before, so this is certainly in the realm of possibilities.

Edi Rama, Hashim Thaci congratulated their albanian counterparts in Macedonia for turning the country into a third Albanian state.

Congratulations arrived from Milikije Halimi, a Debar born Albanian politicians who called for war on Macedonia should it not pass the language law.

 

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Grcheva: The law on languages is the first step to change the name and identity

http://english.republika.mk/grcheva-the-law-on-languages-is-the-first-step-to-change-the-name-and-identity/

The law on the use of languages must be abolished, and not amended, because if applied in this form, Macedonia will lose its identity, warns Solza Grcheva.

The former MP says that the people’s representatives must not support a law that harms the sovereignty of the country and humiliates the Macedonian people. This law is a political step to maintain power, and not a real need because Albanians have enjoyed all linguistic rights so far.

According to Grcheva, the government has the greatest responsibility, but the opposition should not be silent. She believes the adoption of a law for the officialization of the Albanian language is an introduction to changing the name and identity, but the people must stand in defense of state interests and to form a national, not a political consensus, on this issue.

The law on the use of languages draw stormy reactions on social networks. Serious criticism was made by constitutional experts and university professors. All demand an immediate withdrawal of the law by which Albanian becomes the second official language.

The deadline for President Ivanov to announce whether he will sign this legal solution expires on Thursday at midnight. If the head of state exercises his right to veto, the law will again return to the deputies. In the second vote if the law is passed with an absolute majority, Ivanov will have to sign the decree. In such a case, the Constitutional Court will be on the move.

Macedonia's FM: We encouraged Nimetz to come up with new Name

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/32929/1/

Macedonia's Foreign Minister and heroin enthusiast Nikola Dimitrov said there is still no proposal for resolving the name dispute, but the Macedonian side has encouraged mediator Matthew Nimetz to come up with a new name proposal this coming Wednesday.

- We still have no proposal at the table to resolve the name dispute. We decided to encourage the mediator Matthew Nimetz to come out as soon as possible, even the next Wednesday, with an initial framework that will serve or give directions for substantial progress, and we announced a willingness to engage as heads of diplomats directly, something that has not been done so far happened, said Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov in the last night's interview on the Click Plus TV show on TV 21.

According to him, it is a fact that there are still differences between Macedonia and Greece and in the coming period we will see whether it will be possible to overcome them.

- It is very important for Greece to have a clearer distinction between the state of Macedonia and the region of Macedonia in Greece. It is very important for us to have no doubt about the identity issues, and it is very important to find a dignified way to explain and elaborate, said Dimitrov.

According to him, Macedonia can not be Greek only because it is not, and Macedonia can not be ours only because it is not, the geographical region is large and has three countries. Dimitrov adds the name Macedonia needs to be shared by Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria.

Lavrov: Russia will recognise the name agreed between Athens and Skopje

http://english.republika.mk/lavrov-russia-will-recognise-the-name-agreed-between-athens-and-skopje/

The intensified Macedonia’s name talks is linked to the desire of the United States to bring this country into NATO, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday during his annual press conference in Moscow.

Lavrov said that efforts have been in long-standing twilight sleep for number of years and US decided to become active to make Macedonia join the NATO, and it is obvious for everybody – that it is not about bringing two Balkans nations closer, but a desire one of them to become NATO member.

Lavrov said that Macedonia needs concessions since they want to make part of NATO, and Greece is already NATO member.

Asked whether Moscow will accept possible new name of Macedonia, which is recognised by Russia under its constitutional name, Lavrov said that “no matter what Athens and Skopje agree on and official decision is made and is reflected in the constitution of Macedonia, will be recognized by Russia.”

New South Wales expresses support for Republic of Macedonia

http://english.republika.mk/new-south-wales-expresses-support-for-republic-of-macedonia/

As Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are preparing to once again start discussions to resolve their ongoing dispute, an Australian politician decided to offer an opinion and urge the Federal Government to sanction the appropriation of a historical name.

Speaking at a Queanbeyan ‘Macedonian’ Community event to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas, to an audience that included FYROM’s Ambassador to Australia, Vele Trpevski Acting Premier of New South Wales and member for Monaro John Barilaro called on the Australian Government to recognise the Republic of Macedonia.

The Deputy Premier of NSW began by a reference to Australia Day as a celebration of the country’s multicultural nature and praised the “Macedonian Community” for its contribution to the state. “Of course, I’m the son of Italian migrants and I understand the story of migration and immigration the great story of culture, religion and faith,” he said. “What I have always loved about the Macedonian community in Queanbeyan is how tight you have remained tight, how you have remained proud of who you are and you raise your children to be proud that they are, of course, the sons and daughters of the immigrants who chose Australia to be their home.”

Addressing an audience that included the FYROM’s ambassador to Australia, Vele Trpevski, the Acting Premier went on to state that he “will always acknowledge the Republic of Macedonia” and called for the federal government to do the same: “I hope 2019 – and I know that the Ambassador is very strong on this – is the year that the world comes to its senses, that Australia as a nation, the Federal government comes to its senses and acknowledges as the only rightful name the Republic of Macedonia”, he said.

Deputy Premier Barilaro finished his speech by offering a present to the community, a NSW Government grant of $150,000 for the “Macedonian” Community Centre. The whole incident was captured on video and circulated through social media, much to the dismay and anger of the Greek-Australian community of NSW.

Given that these comments were made while John Barilaro was Acting Premier of NSW, this attempt to weigh in on a matter of Australian Foreign Policy, raises questions. Neos Kosmos tried to contact both the Deputy Premier, as well as premier Gladys Berejiklian, requesting an official statement. No response has been provided yet.

Source: http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/acting-premier-of-NSW-support-for-Republic-of-Macedonia

Zaev not allowed to mention Macedonia

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/14/zaev-not-allowed-to-mention-macedonia/

You can tell him what you feel at his twitter account.

 

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Nimetz confirms: Name, identity, and history will be negotiated

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/16/nimetz-confirms-name-identity-and-history-will-be-negotiated/

Apart from the name issue, there are other “auxiliary” issues that will be the topic of discussion at the upcoming meetings with the Macedonian authorities, said longtime US mediator Matthew Nimetz for Greek national television.

– There are other auxiliary issues in addition to the name issue, such as its use, the issue of identity, something that is a cause of serious concern by the northern neighbor, and we all need to be extremely sensitive about it. There is concern in Greece, on issues of history, ownership of historical heritage, textbooks. These additional questions we know are important, but I think there are solutions for them, says Nimitz.

Such a statement by Nimetz ahead of the scheduled negotiations that should start on Wednesday throw a new light on this dispute and the government’s willingness to make huge concessions to Athens so that the ultimate solution is not only the change of the name, but also the complete change of the identity of Macedonia and the Macedonian people.

Although Zaev urges the entire Macedonian public that the identity is not a topic of discussion, however, ratifying the agreement with Bulgaria, where we gave up our history and language in favor of Bulgaria, as well as the Macedonian minority living in the territory of Bulgaria, does not give optimism that the identity is not part of these negotiations.

Also interesting in this statement is the possible shift in history and textbooks in favor of Greece. The procedures planned for by the Zaev government are almost the same as with Bulgaria. Change and acceptance of almost all the conditions set by the other side are aimed at a final shameful disfiguring of Macedonia and the Macedonian people.

Nimetz in his speech on the Greek National Television also points out that there will be no new name proposal, but it will be a proposal from some old solutions that were previously mentioned in the past.

 

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Nimetz: The name will contain the term “Macedonia”

http://english.republika.mk/nimetz-the-name-will-contain-the-term-macedonia/

“The proposed solution to the name dispute will include the term “Macedonia” because it has already been recognized by more than 100 countries in the world,” said Matthew Nimetz for the Greek ANT1 TV ahead of the Wednesday’s new round of talks in New York with the representatives of Macedonia and Greece , Vasko Naumovski and Adamantios Vassilakis. Nimetz pointed out that the name under which the country is registered in the UN is “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, that is, the term Macedonia is part of the name, and Greece has recognized it under that name. Nimetz stressed that there is no miraculous solution to the name, that the dispute lasts too long, and that further delay would make the problem even more difficult for solving, MIA reported.

Ahmeti: Slavic or National R. Macedonia is unacceptable for the Albanians

http://english.republika.mk/ahmeti-slavic-or-national-r-macedonia-is-unacceptable-for-the-albanians/

DUI leader Ali Ahmeti believes that the opposition should take part in the name resolution and that there should be political and national consent of the communities, especially between the two largest communities, the Macedonians and the Albanians.

In an interview with TV Alsat M, asked whether this government is more daring and whether it is realistic to finally reach a compromise with Greece over the name, Ahmeti said that a good signal is the encouragement coming from officials from Washington and Brussels, but also from Germany, Britain and France to reach a compromise until the NATO summit in July this year in which Macedonia would be accepted as the newest member of the Alliance.

“The Albanian community has always been interested in resolving this issue, but we are careful taking into account the feelings of the Macedonians, but we do care about it since this is our country as well. For the Albanians, the only unacceptable name is Slavic or National R. Macedonia, because we are part of it with history and culture,” said Ahmeti.

Ivanov not signing illegal language law

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/17/ivanov-not-signing-illegal-language-law/

Macedonia’s president Gjoprgje Ivanov have sent an official note to Parliament that he will not be signing the language law pushed across the entire country by the Zaev’s led SDSM.

As the president explained, Macedonia is a unitary and multiethnic state, and this law abolishes this principle and introduces binaryism, which violates the country’s unitary character.

He also added that due to the daily political schemes run by the SDSM, procedures are being abused to bring laws that are detrimental to the nation. Ivanov pointed out that the abuse of the “European flag” of the law on bilingualism was the subject of a remark by EU officials, but this ruling majority did not take this into account.

He explains that this law is systemic and it is illogical that it be carried by a simple majority, abusing the European institutions.

He pointed out that the law was unconstitutional, and that he sent a detailed legal explanation to the Parliament that appealed to be taken into consideration by the deputies.

 

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Greek newspaper publishes Nimetz’s undignified proposals

http://english.republika.mk/greek-newspaper-publishes-nimetzs-undignified-proposals/

“Our government will do everything it can to resolve the name dispute with FYROM without jeopardizing national interests, said Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos.

In an interview with 24/7 radio, as MIA reported from Athens, he said that negotiations “are not football matches so that we can talk about victories and defeats”.

“What we need is a mutually acceptable solution that will serve as a solution for both sides,” said Tzanakopoulos.

In the interview with the radio, the Greek government spokesman reiterated Greece’s position in favor of a compound name for all uses.

Greek newspaper “Ethnos” announced Thursday that UN envoy Nimetz presented a set of ideas and suggestions in Macedonian and English. The newspaper, referring to its information, claims that the term Macedonia is included in all proposals, and listed “Novamacedonia”, “Uppermacedonia” and “Northern Macedonia” as possible names.

Stoltenberg welcomes bilingualism law and friendship treaty with Bulgaria

http://english.republika.mk/stoltenberg-welcomes-bilingualism-law-and-friendship-treaty-with-bulgaria/

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is on his first visit to the Republic of Macedonia. After meeting with the top officials, he addressed the Parliament, and the session was also attended by VMRO-DPMNE MPs, who boycotted the work of the legislature.

In his address, Stoltenberg noted that he expected the Macedonian flag to be raised along the flag of Montenegro in front of the NATO Headquarters.

Stoltenberg thanked “this” country for participating in NATO missions. He expressed hope that “this country” would become part of “the most successful military alliance in the world”.

There is still room for more flags in front of the NATO Headquarters. Last year, Montenegro became the 29th member and it is now an equal member of the Alliance. We want to be part of our family, but there is more work to do. First of all, I refer to a solution to the issue with the Republic of Greece over your constitutional name, said NATO Secretary General.

He said that in the past years, Macedonia has shown commitment to NATO integration. But it is necessary to resolve the name issue.

The adoption of the Law on Languages was an important step. We note the progress of transparency and accountability. Judicial reforms must continue. We hope that we will see progress in the election reforms, the media. You all have a responsibility. Not only to pass laws but also to be a free and democratic country where the law is respected. The opposition also has a big role here. We recognize the essential role of civil society. It is good to show good relations with neighbors. I congratulate you on the ratification of the Treaty of good neighborly relations with Bulgaria. It is essential for NATO to see how you invest in your defense. We are a military alliance, let’s help in our defense. By the principle one for all – all for one. We want to see your country moving toward these goals, said Stoltenberg.

He added that NATO is not only a military alliance, it is also a valuable alliance, which is why it welcomes the law on bilingualism and the treaty with Bulgaria which, according to him, were a reform progress.

NATO’s door is open to new members. But crossing the threshold involves serious work and reforms. We will support you, we will continue to support you. We know that there are challenges, but we want to help. Nine months ago, you were on the edge of the abyss. Now you are a state of real opportunity. Today, the door is open to reforms, to better relations with the neighbors and NATO, said NATO Secretary General.

“But there is still a lot to be done. You have the tools and the vision, and you have got a true friend in NATO,” said Stoltenberg.

Macedonia to receive deserved membership in NATO, Ivanov tells Stoltenberg

http://english.republika.mk/macedonia-to-receive-deserved-membership-in-nato-ivanov-tells-stoltenberg/

The Republic of Macedonia has continuously been proving itself as a reliable strategic partner and ally to NATO, it is necessary to receive the long-deserved membership in the Alliance, which will contribute to stability, security and prosperity in the entire region in a long run, President Gjorge Ivanov said Thursday at the meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The meeting also focused on Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, defence and security reforms in accordance with NATO standards and promotion and strengthening cooperation with the North Atlantic Alliance, Ivanov’s office informs.

Ivanov and Stoltenberg assessed that relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and NATO are at high-level and they underlined the Macedonian Army contribution with participation in international peacekeeping missions.

“The Republic of Macedonia with its peacekeepers continuously shares the values and obligations of the Alliance, therefore, it is necessary to share the benefits of membership as soon as possible,” Ivanov said.

Ivanov said that Macedonia will continue to actively contribute to securing global peace and security through participation and support in NATO-led missions.

He also urged NATO member states to recognize in the long run the new real challenges that the region and Europe are facing and to correspond to the open door policies and the Alliance’s collective interest.

They also exchanged views on the latest unconventional threats to the global security and the adaptation of the capabilities to tackle these threats.

Stoltenberg started his activities within the framework of the official visit to Skopje by meeting the Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov. Stoltenberg will also meet PM Zoran Zaev, Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska, VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickovski and DUI leader Ali Ahmeti. Stoltenberg is to deliver an address in the parliament.

NATO chief will end his official activities by meeting the Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. He will be welcomed with the highest honors in the government, and after the meeting, Stoltenberg and Zaev are to hold a joint press conference.

SDSM marks UCK day in Aracinovo (photos)

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/17/sdsm-marks-uck-day-in-aracinovo/

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Macedonia to Solve Nation's Name Dispute With Greece

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201801211060929838-macedonia-greece-name-referendum/

The final decision on Macedonia's name issue within the dispute with neighboring Greece will be taken at the nationwide referendum, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said.

"You see that there is a transparent process, we want a solution based on a national consensus, and it must be finally confirmed by citizens in a referendum," Zaev said as quoted by the Macedonian government press service.

Macedonia and Greece are involved in an ongoing dispute over the name of the Republic of Macedonia. Greece regards "Macedonia" as a term referring only to one of its regions and to the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia, and insists on the use of another name for it northern neighbor's name. Due to this problem, Athens has been blocking Skopje's accession to NATO and to the European Union for years.
The talks between Greece and Macedonia resumed in New York on Wednesday under the mediation of Matthew Nimetz, a personal envoy of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. After the consultations Nimetz said that the dispute around the name of the Balkan nation could be solved within half a year.

According to reports, Nimetz has proposed five possible options for the country's name — Republika Nova Makedonija (Republic of New Macedonia), Republika Severna Makedonija (Republic of Northern Macedonia), Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia), Republika Vardarska Makedonija (Republic of Vardar Macedonia) and Republika Makedonija (Skopje).

 

[angelburst29]

Macedonia to Solve Nation's Name Dispute With Greece

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201801211060929838-macedonia-greece-name-referendum/

The final decision on Macedonia's name issue within the dispute with neighboring Greece will be taken at the nationwide referendum, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said.

"You see that there is a transparent process, we want a solution based on a national consensus, and it must be finally confirmed by citizens in a referendum," Zaev said as quoted by the Macedonian government press service.

According to reports, Nimetz has proposed five possible options for the country's name — Republika Nova Makedonija (Republic of New Macedonia), Republika Severna Makedonija (Republic of Northern Macedonia), Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia), Republika Vardarska Makedonija (Republic of Vardar Macedonia) and Republika Makedonija (Skopje).

Soro's Greek rallies?

Hundreds of thousands of Greeks took to the streets in the capital of the Greek province of Macedonia to protest against the use of the name Macedonia by FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

Greeks Rally in Thessaloniki Against FYROM's Use of Name Macedonia
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201801211060939678-fyrom-greece-macedonia-protest-thessaloniki/

Greece and Macedonia are involved in an ongoing dispute over the name of the Republic of Macedonia.

Greece views "Macedonia" as a term, referring only to one of its regions and to the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia, insisting on the use of the term the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) for it northern neighbor's name. Because of the issue, Athens has been blocking Skopje's accession to NATO and to the European Union for years.

The two disputing parties are expected to start negotiations on January 19 at the United Nations in New York under the mediation of UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Matthew Nimetz.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Soro's Greek rallies?

Hundreds of thousands of Greeks took to the streets in the capital of the Greek province of Macedonia to protest against the use of the name Macedonia by FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

Greeks Rally in Thessaloniki Against FYROM's Use of Name Macedonia
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201801211060939678-fyrom-greece-macedonia-protest-thessaloniki/

Greece and Macedonia are involved in an ongoing dispute over the name of the Republic of Macedonia.

Greece views "Macedonia" as a term, referring only to one of its regions and to the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia, insisting on the use of the term the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) for it northern neighbor's name. Because of the issue, Athens has been blocking Skopje's accession to NATO and to the European Union for years.

The two disputing parties are expected to start negotiations on January 19 at the United Nations in New York under the mediation of UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Matthew Nimetz.

These people are not informed, they are fantasizing something, Boutaris says over Thessaloniki protest

http://english.republika.mk/these-people-are-not-informed-they-are-fantasizing-something-boutaris-says-over-thessaloniki-protest/

I am very disappointed that after 25 years of dispute over the name of Skopje we are in the same position. The psychology, the attitude of many Greek citizens have not changed. The problem is that people think that Macedonia will take away our identity. No one will do it. They are not a threat to us, said the mayor of Thessaloniki, Yiannis Boutaris after Sunday’s protest in the city against the right of the Republic of Macedonia to use the term “Macedonia” in its name.

The rally was organized by several nationalist formations, including the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn. According to the police, about 30,000 people participated in the rally. Boutaris dissociated himself these protests.

“People are very poorly informed, they imagine different things, it’s not true that someone will steal our history, take our history. That is not a threat to us,” Boutaris said in a statement to BTV. Mayor Boutaris has one of the more important roles in the talks between the authorities in Skopje and Athens over the name, BGNES reports.

Greek ERT: Nimetz to visit Athens and Skopje in next ten days

http://english.republika.mk/greek-ert-nimetz-to-visit-athens-and-skopje-in-next-ten-days/

The UN mediator for the naming dispute between Greece and Macedonia Matthew Nimetz intends to visit Athens and Skopje in the next ten days and to discuss the issue, Greece’s state broadcaster ERT reports.

Media outlet told that UN mediator has expressed optimism and considered that dispute over the name of Macedonia could be resolved in the next six months.

Nimetz underlined that proposals for the name presented last week’s round of talks in New York are generally acceptable for the two countries and he gave assurance that they guarantee the “national identity” of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Macedonia and Greece have a real opportunity, maybe the best one, for solving the so-called name issue, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee said in an interview with Bloomberg TV Bulgaria.

There is political will in Athens and Skopje and I believe that the solution is achievable, Yee pointed out.

Negotiator Naumovski warns: Nimetz’s proposals are a disaster for Macedonia

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/20/negotiator-naumovski-warns-nimetzs-proposals-are-a-disaster-for-macedonia/

No state, nor the United Nations, has the right to impose a change of name on another country, nor deny the existence of the Macedonian language and people, said Naumovski in a statement for Sitel TV. Optimism to resolve the decade’s dispute is useful, but to be optimistic, there should be a real basis, adds the negotiator from the Macedonian side.

Immediately after Naumovski’s statement, Zaev’s led Government were “appalled” by his statement and insisted Naumovski does not represent the Government, instead his views were simply his personal views.

As irony would have it in this banana land, Vasko Naumovski does represent the Macedonian Government in the negotiations with Greece.

http://<iframe width="560" height="...y; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Matters get further complicated, just a week ago, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov pointed out in the debut of Zaev owned TV21 Click Plus program that he had great confidence in the negotiator Naumovski.

“I have not seen a signal so far that the incumbent ambassador Naumovski comes out of that position as a special envoy and I want to respect that,” said Dimitrov.

The Macedonian International Human Rights Movement in Toronto has been seeking the withdrawal of mediator Nimetz for 6 months, stating that in an unofficial meeting he declared: “If I was Macedonian, I would not have negotiated my name.”

Meanwhile, Greece’s Tzipras took things to a whole new level in an interview with Greek media this weekend, claiming Macedonians and the country were fake.

At the moment Macedonia has one Vasko Naumovski, but it needs 2 million.

Papadakis: Greece is not interested in changing the name, but the identity

http://english.republika.mk/papadakis-greece-is-not-interested-in-changing-the-name-but-the-identity/

“I would not agree that there is a difference or different statements by Greece, even from the beginning of this absurd dispute over the name of Macedonia. I have said several times that Greece’s position is very simple – Greece is not interested in solving the name dispute because it does not care what Macedonia will be called. Greece’s problem is only the identity of the Macedonian people and it has been constantly seen in the last 25 years,” Papadakis told Kanal 5.

He emphasized that the 25- year old name dispute cannot be resolved in three months.

“On the other hand, Greece with such statements and hypocrisy has repeatedly expressed that it does not want to be resolved and Greece’s goal is getting the time for Macedonia to stay outside the EU and outside NATO, and second and foremost, if we reach a kind of solution it to be the new identity of the Macedonian people. It should be clear to everyone,” Papadakis pointed out.

As regards the announced meeting of Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras which is to be held in Davos, he says that it is likely to be a cosmetic meeting that will not solve essential things.

PM Tsipras: Macedonian nation never existed

http://english.republika.mk/pm-tsipras-macedonian-nation-never-existed/

A Macedonian nation never existed in the period of classical antiquity, as it was the case with the nations of Athenians and Spartans, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras says in an interview for ‘Ethnos’ newspaper.

‘Ancient Macedonia was a great power of the ancient Greek world which, especially in the period of the Alexander the Great’s reign expanded far beyond today’s geographic region – Macedonia, the Greek PM says.

In addition to Greeks and Slavs, Bulgarians, Serbs, Jews and Ottoman Turks had been settling the region since the 7th century, he says.

‘Today this broad geographic region belongs to three states. Hence it is counter to the history and absurd for some to seek exclusivity for Macedonia, also with regards to ethnic identification,’ Tsipras says.

However, he says, ‘it is not unreasonable for the term Macedonia to be included in a compound name with geographic or time identifier for overall use so that it will be clear that nobody lay claims for territories or the history of other nations.’

Greek map - 1974: :)

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Macedonians slowly radicalizing, realizing they have no Political representation

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/23/macedonians-slowly-radicalizing-realizing-they-have-no-political-representation/

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned in 2015 that there is information of a western backed plan that Bulgaria and Albania would have a common border. And that means that Macedonia should be divided into two parts – Bulgarian and Albanian, “said Aleksandar Mitovski, an analyst from Skopje for Moscow based Sputnik News.

A map of Macedonia split into four parts, split among the states surrounding it, appeared just two days after Government organized protests in Solun over the name of Macedonia, particularly when the President of Macedonia, Gjorgje Ivanov, refused to sign the law on bilingualism with which the Albanian language is put on equal footing with Macedonian.

The reaction of several hundred Macedonians to all this was the burning of the European Union and NATO flag in front of the Macedonian Parliament.

In the words of Aleksandar Mitovski, an analyst from Skopje, the map with split Macedonia is not part of any political joke – but an attack on the sovereignty of the state of Macedonia. He recalls that the Bulgarians from the moment Macedonia became an independent state claim Ohrid as theirs, as well as part of Eastern Macedonia to Strumica. This, he says, was not a claim of ordinary citizens but Bulgarian government officials.

For the Bulgarians particularly in the last 20 years, the population has been indoctrinated that Macedonia is just a breakaway part of their homeland and that it will return sooner rather than later. Albania, on the other hand, says the interlocutor for Sputnik, is looking for the western part of Macedonia, the Skopje-Veles-Struga axis. He also recalls that the former state leadership of Serbia at one time called the northern part of Macedonia as belonging to southern Serbia. We already know much of what Greece wants, despite north Greece being defacto Macedonian until the late 1960’s, and these are historical facts.

“So this map that appeared in Greek media is definitely an expression of someone’s aspirations that have existed for years. Just to remind that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned in 2015 that there is information circulating of a western backed plan that Bulgaria and Albania would have a common border. And that means that Macedonia should be divided into two parts – Bulgarian and Albanian, “says Mitovski.

Greek weekly “Elefteri ORA”, close to the Greek Orthodox Church and right-wing extremists, announced in the most recent issue of the January 21 map of divided Macedonia between Albania, Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria, reports the albanian based Antipress portal. According to the published map, the Republic of Macedonia is divided into four parts, as, as noted by the Albanian portal, the smallest part of the territory will belong to Albania, and the largest to Greece. A slightly smaller part of Greece is envisaged to belong to Serbia, and small eastern part to Bulgaria.

“The appearance of such a map is pretty clear move to put pressure and divide the already divided Macedonian public as talks are being held for Macedonia’s new name, a requirement for NATO membership, while waiting for the meeting of Zaev and Tsipras, is a serious provocation for peace in the Balkans. We hope this is a bad joke on the back of the cold and difficult economy of Greece, “the Albanian portal said.

Mitovski says that in spite of this analysis, Albanians are held and operated on a button to cause any conflict that would lead to a territorial change. Can the trigger for Albanians be the refusal of Ivanov to sign the law on bilingualism, which, as a rule, must now be again voted in Parliament?

DPMNE continues to sell out and act as SDSM

“The opposition has several possibilities to block this law, so it will, for example, submit thousands of amendments and thus block it, but they did not, and has made no announcements that they will do it. On the other hand, what we hear from the DPMNE is that the talks between Greece and Macedonia are seen as a positive step towards a solution to the name dispute? It seems the DPMNE have embraced the path of Western diplomacy to rename Macedonia, which leads the people of Macedonia to conclude that they have no representative in their own country. That’s why we see Macedonian are slowly, but surely radicalizing, “explains Mitovski.

Mitovski warns that the burning of the EU flag in front of the Macedonian Parliament was a spontaneous reaction by citizens who have obviously had enough. He also reminds that Macedonians were radicalized in 1999 when in protest of the bombing of Serbia they burned the EU and NATO flags, as well as the US embassy.

The most influential opposition party DPMNE condemned the publication of the map dividing the country into four parts. The party said that such actions do not help to improve neighborly relations and create a climate of distrust between Macedonia and Greece. The party, the honorary president of which is former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, asked the relevant ministry to respond to the inappropriate moves of individuals and groups in Greece, as well as to ask for concrete action from the Greek side against such occurrences, the portal in the Albanian language “Journal” reported.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Zaev promised Tsipras: first we’ll rename Airport, Highways, then Country

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/24/zaev-promised-tsipras-first-well-rename-airport-highways-then-country/

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said the negotiation process is approaching the end and that the solution to the name should be erga omnes after today’s meeting with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at the Davos World Economic Forum. Zaev, at a joint press conference, announced that the government will change the name of Skopje’s international airport (Alexander the Great) and the country’s main highway to “Friendship”, Zaev said.

“We are a new generation of progressive prime ministers. I know that today many people are watching us. Some with skepticism, others with optimism. We want to solve the issues pragmatically and responsibly. I am saying this because we do not just want to resolve the name dispute, but also to establish bilateral relations on the basis of mutual trust. Let’s deal with all forms of irredentism, let us not leave loopholes to make sure that similar challenges will not arise in the future. We must find a solution to all the unresolved issues so that the Euro-Atlantic integration can continue. The joint solution should be erga omnes, and the negotiation process is approaching the end. We agreed in parallel that confidence-building measures should continue, “Tsipras said.

Zaev stated: “The two countries are on the right track to achieve good neighborly relations that will contribute to the stability and economic prosperity of the Balkan region. The majority of citizens in both countries want to have close and friendly relations. We want to become equal partners in the EU and NATO. We have shown in the past that we can work together for mutual interest. As prime ministers, we have a political vision and responsibility to work to overcome the longstanding dispute. It is a slim time to find a solution because it is crucial to our Euro-Atlantic perspectives. The ultimate solution must be acceptable to both parties. The solution must be to protect the national dignity and identity of our peoples. To show that we are committed to finding a solution, the government have already made plans to change the name of the airport and the highway. The highway will be called “Friendship”. This testifies to the fact that we have no territorial claims against our neighbor. We remain committed to the negotiating process led by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz. We will raise the level of negotiations of foreign ministers with their teams. This will allow for greater dynamics and essence “.

Zaev after meeting with Tsipras: We will rename ‘Alexander the Great’ highway to ‘Friendship

http://english.republika.mk/zaev-after-meeting-with-tsipras-we-will-rename-alexander-the-great-highway-to-friendship/

Macedonia and Greece will raise the level of negotiations aimed at solving the name issue. The process will involve the foreign ministers of the two countries under the auspices of the United Nations.

This was stated Wednesday evening by Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev after his first direct meeting with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras in Davos, which lasted almost three hours.

Zaev told reporters that Macedonia’s preparedness to show it had genuine willingness to solve the name dispute was expressed at the meeting. To that end, he said, the government will rename the airport and the highway, with the latter being called ‘Friendship’.

“It proves we have no territorial aspirations toward our neighbor. On the other hand, they have demonstrated their good will to help us increase our cooperation with the European Union and other international institutions,” stated PM Zaev.

Greek Premier Tsipras said there was willingness to settle the name issue ‘in a pragmatic way and with a feeling of responsibility.’

“We have to find a mutually acceptable solution erga omnes and to intensify the negotiating process,” he noted.

In service of the Greek-Macedonian ‘friendship’ will Bitola be Monastiri?

http://english.republika.mk/in-service-of-the-greek-macedonian-friendship-will-bitola-be-monastiri/

Toponyms can often be an instrument of propaganda – expansionism on the highway partially financed by the European Union, Pavlos Voskopoulos Filipov, a member of the Rainbow party which is a member of the European Free Alliance (EFA), asks and concludes.

When Tsipras says that the prerequisite for friendship is to condemn irredentism and similar expansionist policies against Greece in the Republic of Macedonia, does the Greek Prime Minister have a desire and an attitude to intervene and change the road signs on the highway to Medzitlija?

Voskopulos writes that earlier on the signposts there was the word Bitola, written in Greek and English, but after the intervention of some “circles”, the authorities changed it to the present Monastiri.

He recalls that “even in history books it is mentioned that ‘unfortunately’, the Greek army did not succeed in freeing Monastiri in 1913.”

Hahn: Zaev-Tsipras meeting is very good news

http://english.republika.mk/hahn-zaev-tsipras-meeting-is-very-good-news/

Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, welcomed Wednesday’s meeting between Prime Minister of Macedonia and Greece Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras, assessing it as very good news.

The meeting shows courage, vision and statesmanship. Solving this long-standing issue will be good for the countries, the region and Europe, Hahn wrote on his Twitter account.

Hahn, who participates at the World Economic Forum in Davos is scheduled to meet PM Zoran Zaev.

Attorney behind jailing of DPMNE members now Gruevski’s attorney

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/25/attorney-behind-jailing-of-dpmne-members-now-gruevskis-attorney/

Sterju Zikov, the attorney behind the jailing of Lambe Arnaudov, Vojo Mihajlovski, Stojkov, Utkovski, Cvetkov, Kikerekov… now is the main defense attorney for Nikola Gruevski.

Milenko Nedelkovski rightfully asks, “is Gruevski and Zikov part of the same mafia?”

http://<iframe width="560" height="...y; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Zaev met with Soros: Face-to-face with the man who brought him to power

http://english.republika.mk/zaev-met-with-soros-face-to-face-with-the-man-who-brought-him-to-power/

At the sidelines of World Economic Forum in Davos, Macedonia’s Prime Minister Zoran Zaev held talks Friday with the philanthropist, investor and founder of the Open Society Foundation (OSF), George Soros, the government said in a press release.

Macedonia shares with OSF and promotes the values of democracy, human rights, rule of law and open society, Zaev said at the meeting.

He notified that the concept – equal society for all, along with the democratic reforms for the EU, NATO membership and the government’s economic measures – remained the foundation upon which the new Macedonia’s image was being built.

Macedonia and Soros are ready to keep cooperating in developing the country’s democratic capacity and new business, investment opportunities, the press release reads.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Grcheva: The law on languages is the first step to change the name and identity

http://english.republika.mk/grcheva-the-law-on-languages-is-the-first-step-to-change-the-name-and-identity/

The law on the use of languages must be abolished, and not amended, because if applied in this form, Macedonia will lose its identity, warns Solza Grcheva.

The former MP says that the people’s representatives must not support a law that harms the sovereignty of the country and humiliates the Macedonian people. This law is a political step to maintain power, and not a real need because Albanians have enjoyed all linguistic rights so far.

According to Grcheva, the government has the greatest responsibility, but the opposition should not be silent. She believes the adoption of a law for the officialization of the Albanian language is an introduction to changing the name and identity, but the people must stand in defense of state interests and to form a national, not a political consensus, on this issue.

The law on the use of languages draw stormy reactions on social networks. Serious criticism was made by constitutional experts and university professors. All demand an immediate withdrawal of the law by which Albanian becomes the second official language.

The deadline for President Ivanov to announce whether he will sign this legal solution expires on Thursday at midnight. If the head of state exercises his right to veto, the law will again return to the deputies. In the second vote if the law is passed with an absolute majority, Ivanov will have to sign the decree. In such a case, the Constitutional Court will be on the move.

VMRO-DPMNE amendments to Law on Languages to be discussed in September at the earliest

http://english.republika.mk/vmro-dpmne-amendments-to-law-on-languages-to-be-discussed-in-september-at-the-earliest/

Most hopefully, the 35,000 amendments to the Law on the Use of Language submitted by VMRO-DPMNE will be discussed in September at the earliest.

According to the procedure, the submitter of each amendment is entitled to three minutes or for all amendments 105,000 minutes. Optimistic mathematics can be fulfilled if in one hour 20 amendments are elaborated or 240 per day.

According to this mathematics, it would be 1,680 per week, but provided that there is not a slight break between the amendments, and if it is worked 12 hours a day, that is, uninterruptedly seven days a week. However, this is provided that the Parliament the whole this period not to discuss for any other point and has no free weekends.

Scandal!!!

DPMNE introduces 1000s amendments to illegal language law, SDSM and DUI dump them in trash

http://www.minareport.com/2018/01/27/dpmne-introduces-1000s-amendments-to-illegal-language-law-sdsm-and-dui-dump-them-in-thrash/

The opposition DPMNE submitted amendments to the Law on the Use of Languages, but the same amendments ended up in the trash after SDSM and DUI officials instructed their secretaries to dump them outside.

http://<iframe width="560" height="...y; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The amendments, as announced by the party, are aimed at harmonizing the law with the Constitution of the state.

The deadline for submitting the amendments expired at 4 pm, and immediately after the amendments were found in the thrash.

Grce Gjorgjievski, member of the DPMNE’s EC at today’s press conference noted that the submitted amendments were submitted for two articles of the Law, which, as he said, are in direct contradiction with the Constitution.

Citizens, experts and all social actors have repeatedly warned that the law on bilingualism that SDSM wants to force on the country is unconstitutional and harmful to the state. The inconsistency of the law was confirmed by the president of the state. We appeal to SDSM to withdraw this unconstitutional law. The SDSM needs to get informed and not to let this law become an integrative element, something that will further divide and disturb us, said Gjorgjievski.

– The law on bilingualism that SDSM is pushing violently is in complete opposition to the Constitution of the state and the Framework Agreement. VMRO-DPMNE will submit amendments to the Parliament in order to harmonize the law with the Constitution of the country, Gjorgjievski said and added:

“I will explain to you two articles of this law that are in direct contradiction with the Constitution. Members for whom VMRO-DPMNE submitted amendments.

Primarily, Article 6 of the Law states that institutions such as: the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, the President of the Republic of Macedonia, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, the judiciary, the public prosecutor’s office, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Macedonia, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Macedonia, the institutions in the electoral process, science, health, culture, application of police authorizations, broadcasting activity, notary, execution, infrastructure objects, registration, personal documents, finances, economy, as well as institutions, other areas are obliged ex officio to ensure that the use, communication, and procedures take place in a language spoken by at least 20% of the citizens in the Republic of Macedonia and its letter if the person or participant speaks the spoken language at least 20% of the citizens in the Republic of Macedonia.

This article is contrary to paragraphs 2.4 and 5 of Amendment 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. There is an opportunity for any citizen living in a municipality where at least 20% of the citizens speak a language different from Macedonian to use their own language. The institutions respond in Macedonian and in the language used by the citizen. Instead, in the proposal of SDSM, Article 6 stipulates that the institutions shall ensure mandatory use in only one language, in this case Albanian, which is absurd. This directly discriminates against the smaller communities in the Republic of Macedonia.

Tsipras did not reach national consensus on the name of the Republic of Macedonia

http://english.republika.mk/tsipras-did-not-reach-national-consensus-on-the-name-of-the-republic-of-macedonia/

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras held individual meetings with opposition party leaders on Saturday to discuss the state of negotiations with Skopje, Kathimerini reports.

The discussions did not yield any significant signs of consensus between the politicians.

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis accused Tsipras of failing to consult properly before launching talks and to create a “strong national front,” thereby undermining an opportunity to reach a settlement with FYROM.

“Mr Tsipras chose to walk this road alone so he should not look for accomplices and alibis,” said the conservative leader, who suggested that Greeks have no confidence in Tsipras’s ability to negotiate on this, or any other, issue.

The prime minister’s office responded to Mitsotakis’s comments by accusing him of “irresponsibility and opportunism.”

PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata also criticized Tsipras for not reaching out to the other parties before launching talks. “Mr Tsipras entered into negotiations without even securing consensus within his own government,” she said in reference to the stance taken by Kammenos and ANEL.

Gennimata stressed that any solution must address any irredentist designs in FYROM and not just the country’s name. She repeated her call for a meeting of party leaders to be called for further discussions.

Greek Communist Party (KKE) leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas stressed the need for changes to be made to FYROM’s constitution to address concerns about irredentism. He said that a solution to the dispute with Skopje does not seem likely.

To Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis said it was “ridiculous” that the defense minister should have a different position to the prime minister on this issue.

He added that his party would support a solution that involves a composite name in Slavic for Greece’s neighbor. “There are many options that are better than ‘Upper Macedonia’,” he said.

United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz is due to visit Athens on Tuesday and Skopje the following day, and will hold discussions with both countries’ foreign ministers, Nikos Kotzias and Nikola Dimitrov.

Kotzias and Dimitrov are due to hold a bilateral meeting early in February.

PM Zaev: I am optimistic that national consensus can be reached

http://english.republika.mk/zaev-i-am-optimistic-that-national-consensus-can-be-reached/

After Saturday’s coordination meeting of the state’s top officials focusing on the name dispute, which lasted five hours, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said he was optimistic that a national consensus on the issue could be reached. He said that this process requires responsibility and that everyone’s involvement is necessary.

“This was an informative meeting of the proposed ideas of mediator Matthew Nimetz. This process requires responsibility. We aim to ensure the progress and protection of national interests. Everyone’s involvement is necessary,” Zaev said.

He added that a solution is possible if there is willingness from the Greek side as well. “We will continue to negotiate,” Zaev said and added that care must be taken not to disturb the negotiation process.

The Prime Minister also announced that working groups for schoolbooks will be formed in the future.

“I will not comment on the Greek positions. I am optimistic that a national consensus on these issues can be reached, Zaev said after meeting with President Gjorge Ivanov and with the leaders of VMRO-DPMNE and DUI, Hristijan Mickoski and Ali Ahmeti respectively.

Leventis: Nova Makedonija is the name that circles as a possible solution

http://english.republika.mk/leventis-nova-makedonija-is-the-name-that-circles-as-a-possible-solution/

Vasilis Leventis, head of the Centrists’ Union, told Tsipras at the beginning of their meeting that his party remained opposed to any use of ‘Macedonia’ by FYROM, the Greek Reporter reports.

He also issued a warning for the SYRIZA leader after the meeting: “Anyone who betrays the people’s mandate will cry on election night.”

“I had asked for consensus and a broad government because we would need it. I told him that instead of starting the negotiations offering compound name we should have asked for exchanges from the start and the other side to have its accession to NATO and EU” said Leventis.

My opinion is THAT the negotiation to start from zero and if this happens, I told the prime minister that the people, with me first, will be on his side, added Leventis.

He clarified that he is against the name Nova Makedonija because Macedonia is Greek and there is no room for deductions on this. “I told Tsipras not to bear this stigma”.

This week will see UN envoy Nimetz visit both Athens and Skopje for meetings at foreign-ministerial level in an attempt to push forwards talks held in New York and recent bilateral meetings between Tsipras and his FYROM counterpart, Zoran Zaev.