Macedonia Unhappy With Greece Over Progress With Name Dispute

radio free europe
November 07, 2011

PRAGUE -- Macedonia is concerned at the lack of progress in UN-mediated talks with Greece about the country's formal name, RFE/RL's Balkan Service reports.
Greece and Macedonia have been at loggerheads over the use of the name "Macedonia" for nearly two decades.
Macedonia was admitted to the UN under the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) because Greece lays claim to the toponym "Macedonia" as part of its classical heritage....more...
read more: radio free europe
http://www.rferl.org/content/macedonia_unhappy_with_greece_over_progress_with_name_dispute/24383910.html

Concerns Grow About Authoritarianism in Macedonia

ny times
By MATTHEW BRUNWASSER

Published: October 13, 2011
SKOPJE, MACEDONIA — The ambitious retooling of this small nation’s identity — a Balkan brand of hyper-patriotism accompanied by the trumpeting of Macedonia’s ancient roots — is raising concerns internationally about growing authoritarianism, the silencing of dissent and accusations of abuse of power by the governing party here....more...
read more: ny times
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/world/europe/concerns-grow-about-authoritarianism-in-macedonia.html?ref=macedonia

Macedonia celebrates its independence -video-

euronews
Anniversary - Independence - Macedonia

09/09 16:51 CET

Thousands of Macedonians poured into the capital Skopje on Thursday to mark 20 years of independence. Festivities include a giant parade involving the military, politicians and celebrities....more...
read more: euronews
http://www.euronews.net/nocomment/2011/09/09/macedonia-celebrates-its-independence/

Macedonia celebrates independence

xinhua
English.news.cn 2011-09-09 18:18:22 FeedbackPrintRSS

SKOPJE, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Macedonians poured into a main square in capital Skopje on Thursday night to celebrate the country's 20th anniversary of independence.
Macedonia got its independence from the former Yugoslavia after the citizens voted for separation in a referendum on September 8, 1991....more...
read more: xinhua
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/09/c_131127703.htm

Macedonia: Ten Years after the Conflict

international crisis group
11 Aug 2011

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Ten years after signature of the Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) that ended fighting between the country’s ethnic Albanians and Macedonians, much of the agreement has been implemented, and a resumption of armed conflict is unlikely. Macedonia is justified in celebrating its success in integrating minorities into political life, but inter-party and inter-ethnic tensions have been growing for five years. While this part of the Balkans looks to eventual EU membership to secure stability, it remains fragile, and worrying trends – rising ethnic Macedonian nationalism, state capture by the prime minister and his party, decline in media and judicial independence, increased segregation in schools and slow decentralisation – risk undermining the multi-ethnic civil state Macedonia can become. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who has just formed a new government, should work closely with his Albanian coalition partners and opposition parties to pass and implement the measures needed for more democratisation, inter-ethnic reconciliation and a solution to the name dispute with Greece....more...
read more: international crisis group
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/balkans/macedonia/212-macedonia-ten-years-after-the-conflict.aspx

Trolls' nest, Macedonia and Greece

the economist
Sep 9th 2011, 15:36 by V.D.

THE 20th anniversary of Macedonian independence (this and most other links in Greek, but google translate gives the gist) also marks the anniversary of what has to be one of the silliest rows in international politics. EU officials hope that the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece will be solved by the end of this year. As nice as that sounds it is hard to believe it is true. While Macedonia (or FYROM, for Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) seemed to be, for the most part, the more reasonable of the two, lately it lost support through its attempts to tweak the Greek tail....more...

read more: the economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2011/09/macedonia-and-greece

Bloggers debate the Ohrid Framework Agreement

se times

20/08/2011

The 10th anniversary of the agreement elicits different reactions, though most remain critical of its purpose and results.
By Klaudija Lutovska for Southeast European Times in Bitola – 20/08/11
Macedonia marked the 10th anniversary of signing the Ohrid Framework Agreement by organizing a meeting and a reception hosted by President Gjorge Ivanov.

Although no representatives from Macedonia's four major parties that signed the August 13th agreement were at the event, US envoy James Pardew, the driving force behind the accord, attended.....more...
read more: se times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/blogreview/2011/08/20/blog-03

Diaspora MP in the Macedonian parliament

se times
16/08/2011

For the first time, the diaspora is represented in Macedonia's parliament by three MPs. Newly-elected member Pavle Sazdov represents the Americas.
By Goran Trajkov for Southeast European Times in Skopje -- 16/08/11
SETimes: How did you become a Macedonian MP?

Pavle Sazdov: VMRO-DPMNE, the party that I am a member of for over ten years, had an internal announcement open to all members. Having lived in Canada for ten years, I understand the needs and challenges of the Macedonian community in North America, so I decided to apply. I submitted a proposed platform, resume, short biography and motivational letter to a party panel. Once all interviews were finalised -- the last one with the party president -- I was notified that my candidacy was accepted....more...
read more: se times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2011/08/16/feature-02

Macedonia statue: Alexander the Great or a warrior on a horse?

guardian

Lookalike statue reignites debate with Greece over Macedonian name as Skopje locals dismiss works as nationalistic kitsch

Helena Smith in Skopje

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 14 August 2011 14.50 BST

In a move that has upset the Greeks, Alexander the Great has made a huge comeback in Macedonia.

A giant statue bearing an uncanny resemblance to the warrior king – although, officially, no one dares call it that – has been erected in the heart of Skopje, Macedonia's capital. Seated upon his favourite steed, the classical hero surveys the capital from the vantage point of Plostad Makedonija, Skopje's central square. At 22 metres, or eight storeys high, the statue dwarfs its surroundings....more...
read more: guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/14/alexander-great-macedonia-warrior-horse

A profile of Gruevski

the economist
Macedonia's prime minister
Aug 12th 2011, 16:53 by T.J.

On July 28th "European Voice", the Economist's sister EU-affairs newspaper, published my profile of Nikola Gruevski, Macedonia's prime minister. With the odd adjustment for style, here it is.

MACEDONIANS either love him or loathe him. To his detractors, Nikola Gruevski, who was confirmed as prime minister for a third term on July 28th, is corrupt, a populist, a ruthless Machiavellian and an enemy of a free media. “No, no, no,” say his supporters. He is as clean as a whistle, modest, the scourge of tax-dodging tycoons and a family-values man to his core....more...
read more: the economist
http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2011/08/macedonias-prime-minister

Ethnic Albanians see peace dividend in Macedonia

deutsche welle
CORRESPONDENTS REPORT

12.08.2011
Ten years ago Macedonians and ethnic Albanians signed the Ohrid agreement, averting a conflict that could have destabilized the whole Balkans region....more....
read more: deutsche welle
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6595468,00.html
audio
http://mediacenter.dw-world.de/english/audio/#!/219069/Ethnic_Albanians_see_peace_dividend_in_Macedonia

Macedonia Abandons Hague Cases

balkan insight

20 JUL 2011 / 16:20

In a controversial move that has angered Macedoniaʼs opposition parties, the ruling coalition voted on Tuesday to abandon four war-crimes cases related to the 2001 conflict.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje

After a day-long discussion, 63 legislators from the ruling parties supported the motion, while 29 in the 123-seat parliament voted against it. ...more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-passes-amnesty-for-hague-cases

Macedonian Media Law Changes Worry Watchdogs

balkan insight
20 JUL 2011 / 10:25

Macedonian journalists' associations and the European Commission react with concern to amendments to the broadcasting law, adopted on Monday.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje
Macedonia's ruling party pushed through amendments to the country's media laws on Monday, cutting the size of the Broadcasting Council from 15 to 9 members....more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-passes-controversial-broadcasting-law

Macedonia Government Pledges Faster Growth

balkan insight
19 JUL 2011 / 09:35

Improvement of the economy and curbing of high unemployment remains key goals of the new government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje

In the government platform submitted to parliament last week Prime Minister Gruevski promised speedier economic growth, a doubling in the level of foreign investment by 2015 and curbing the 31 per cent unemployment rate by almost 7 per cent....more....
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonia-remains-focused-on-economy

Ohrid: ten years later

se times
19/07/2011

Citizens and commentators note progress but opinions are still divided about the role of the Framework Agreement.
By Marina Stojanovska for Southeast European Times in Skopje -- 19/07/11
Barely anyone in Macedonia is concerned with inter-ethnic relations ten years after the signing of the Framework Agreement in Ohrid, according to research by the Macedonian Centre for International Co-operation....more...
read more: se times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2011/07/19/feature-04

Approval Expected for New Macedonian Government

balkan insight
18 JUL 2011 / 14:06

Quick approval of the new government of Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski is expected when parliament votes on July 27.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje

Gruevski submitted his list of nominees to the assembly on Friday. He was charged with forming a new cabinet after his centre-right party, VMRO DPMNE, won the early June 5 elections....more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-macedonian-government-to-be-voted-soon

Macedonians Top Region In Bribes League

balkan insight
18 JUL 2011 / 09:10

Macedonians pay an average of 470 euros in bribes each year in exchange for access to public services, which puts them 'on top' of the Western Balkans in this regard.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje

A survey by Macedonia's State Statistical Office placed the country on top of the region in terms of the amount of bribes people pay on average each year....more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/macedonians-hold-region-s-record-in-bribes

Politics Brings Closure to Macedonia’s Hague Cases

balkan insight
15 JUL 2011 / 17:34

Opposition parties and victims’ families say political necessity, not justice, has had the last word on four war-crimes cases involving ethnic Albanians that date back to 2001.

Sase Dimovski Skopje

read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/politics-brings-closure-to-macedonia-s-hague-cases

No Secret "Name" Talks, Greek MEP Says

balkan insight
15 JUL 2011 / 10:29

There have been no secret talks between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the longstanding “name dispute” between the two countries, European Parliament Member Eleni Koppa has told Deutsche Welle.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje

Koppa, a member of Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou’s ruling PASOK party, was responding to media rumors of her involvement in such talks....more...
read more: balkan insight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/no-secret-name-talks-greek-mep-says

New US Ambassador Pledges To Help Macedonia

balkan insight
15 JUL 2011 / 10:29

Paul Wohlers told the US Senate on Thursday that he would did his best to help the country proceed on the path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.

Sinisa Jakov Marusic Skopje

The new ambassador is expected to come in Skopje in early September, replacing Philip Reeker, ambassador since 2008.

“I will return to Macedonia during an important period,” Wohlers told the US Senate, noting that the country this year marked 20 years of independence and 10 years since the signing of the Framework Agreement, the deal that ended the country’s civil conflict in 2001....more...
read more: balkan inisight
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/new-us-ambassador-pledges-support-for-macedonia