MAK-NEWS 24/10/95 (M.I.C.)

From: "M.I.C." <mic@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, OCTOBER 24, 1995 (MIC)

[01] DECLARATION ON EAST-WEST CORRIDOR

A Declaration on the East-West Corridor was signed by the presidents of Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey on Sunday afternoon, at UN headquarters in New York.

With this Declaration the Presidents have revived the importance of the East-West communications corridor for the stability and development of the south-east part of the Balkans and the regions of the Black Sea. The Declaration stresses that the stability of Europe largely depends on reestablishing peace and improving the stability in the Balkans.

This Declaration signifies that the Presidents have agreed that "the East-West project is of interest to each country involved in it and promotes international cooperation in the region". It is emphasized that the project is a part of the unique European infrastructure and helps the development of land and sea communications between Europe, the Mediterranean countries, the Middle East and the regions of the Black Sea.

In the declaration it is further stated that the four signatory countries support international efforts for resolving the conflict in former Yugoslavia, and that consequently they will uphold the resolutions of the UN Security Council regarding the sanctions. These four countries also conclude with satisfaction that the USA and the European Union have also shown an interest in this project. At the end of the Declaration, the Presidents invite all other countries interested in the project to join in. It has been agreed that an Office for coordination of the project be opened in Sofia as soon as possible.

It is interesting that Van den Brook was also present at the signing of the Declaration. His presence was commented by Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov as a symbolic gesture showing in the best way the interest of the Union in this project.

At the news conference that followed the act of the signing, Albanian President Sali Berisha said that this project would bring the four countries closer together and closer to the EU. Bulgarian President Zelju Zelev pointed out that the Balkans had no alternative but to take up the model of Western Europe and erase the borders between states. Turkish President Demirel said this project would strengthen the economies not only of the four countries involved, but of Europe as well, recommending to all interested parties in the region that they take part in the project, for it will pay off.

On behalf of President Gligorov, Parliamentary Speaker Stojan Andov expressed gratitude to the other leaders for having worked so hard on the project. He pointed out that this project indicates mature awareness of the need for cooperation in the region. "We are convinced we will change our lives in the future and that is why we have signed this project".

[02] CONSULTATIONS VANCE - ZAHARIKIS

Mediator Cyrus Vance and Greek ambassador to the United Nations Hristos Zaharikis are set to start the preliminary talks on the name question in New York today, the Athens press reported yesterday.

In announcing that Cyrus Vance will carry out consultations with the Macedonian side as well, most probably with the ambassador to the UN Denko Malevski, "Ta Nea" claims that the direct negotiations between Skopje and Athens over the name will start at the beginning of next month.

The Athens pro-government newspaper claims, without stating its sources, that "the Greek side has information that Skopje is also in a hurry to end the negotiations, under pressure from Washington," and that "for the first time, it is prepared to accept some kind of compromise." Similar information was released yesterday by other papers in Athens as well, while the pro- government "Ta Nea" reminds that the name "New Macedonia," contained in the Vance-Owen plan in 1993, was not accepted by neither the Greek side, nor President Kiro Gligorov.

The Greek Government, as its official representative Tilemahos Hitiris said yesterday, has no intentions of calling a new meeting of the leaders of the political parties. He added that Athens would be entering the negotiations in New York with the stand agreed in 1992. According to this agreement, Greece will not recognize the state under the name Macedonia that's to its northern border, or any other name derived from that name.

[03] DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS AT AMBASSADORIAL LEVEL

The Republic of Macedonia and Australia established diplomatic relations yesterday at ambassadorial level, with the exchange of notes between the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Macedonia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.

This act carries the relations between the two countries to a new, more quality phase of development.

In line with the mutual agreement, temporarily, the ambassadors of the two countries will have a non-residential status, is emphasized in yesterday's announcement of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Macedonia.

The acting Australian Foreign Minister Senator Bob Mc Malan told the Australian state radio-television, as the Radio Skopje correspondent from Perth reports, that this act of establishment of diplomatic relations will enable the mutual cooperation between Macedonia and Australia. For now, there will not be a possibility for permanent missions in the two countries, however, this will be made possible after Skopje and Athens resolve the problem with the name.

[04] BRIEFING ON TALKS IN ATHENS

At its 45th session, which was presided over by Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia was briefed on the talks between the delegations of the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Greece, which were held in Athens, and the packet of signed protocols and memorandums, as well.

The Government was also informed about the readiness of the Greek side to sign the documents that derive from the Interim Accord, signed in New York, and which are of mutual interest to the peoples from the two neighboring countries.

At yesterday's session, the Government looked at the Information on the situation with the payment of the pensions in our country, which is going through financial difficulties.

Furthermore, the Government reviewed the Proposal for the adoption of a Law on sports, which has become a necessity in view of the constitutional changes, which will completely regulate and stimulate this field.

Other proposals from the field of social activities, economy, finance and political system were also reviewed at yesterday's session, is said in the announcement of the Information Secretariat.

[05] NEW BUSINESS CONTACTS

A business delegation, made up of representatives of ten large Macedonian enterprises, and led by the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Macedonia Dushan Petreski, is staying on a working visit to the Russian Federation since yesterday.

The basic goal of the visit is to enforce the economic cooperation with companies from the Russian Federation, which will include numerous business contacts with official institutions and individual meetings with existing and potential partners.

The president of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce Dushan Petreski will meet with his colleague, the president of the Trade-Industrial Chamber of the Russian Federation Aleksej Smirnov. This return visit, seeing a delegation of the Russian Trade-Industrial Chamber paid a visit to Macedonia in May, this year, will be used, among the rest, for the presentation, that is, official opening of the representation of Macedonian Chamber of Commerce in the Russian Federation, based in Moscow. The Macedonian business delegation will also visit the Yaroslav region during its stay, one of the industrially most developed regions in the Russian Federation.

[06] FIRST TANKER UNLOADED

After a break of several months, the unloading of the first tanker of crude oil in the Salonika port, for the needs of the "Skopje" Refinery, finished two days ago. Namely, this first shipment consists of 60,000 tones of (light Siberian) crude oil, which is a part of the quantities that will be delivered to the Refinery dynamically until the end of the year.

After taking care of the formalities surrounding the organization of the transport, the crude oil will be transported from Salonika to Skopje, which will start off activities for the realization of the monthly import dynamics, through which the "Skopje" Refinery will provide continuity in its processing and supplies.

[07] DEBATE OVER AMENDMENTS CONTINUING

Tomorrow, the Parliament of the Republic of Macedonia will continue its 26th session, which will deal with the Draft- law on local self-management.

At this session, the MPs are expected to continue the amendment debate on the text of this important system law.

The session is scheduled to start at 11.00 hours.

(END)