MAK-NEWS 29/01/96 (M.I.C.)

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

Macedonian Information Centre Directory

CONTENTS

SKOPJE, JANUARY 29, 1996 (MIC)

[01] FRY GOVERNMENT ADOPTS DOCUMENT ON NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS WITH RM

According to TANJUG news, the exact time of signing this agreement between the two countries will be additionally determined.

The Yugoslav announcements of recognition of Macedonia under its constitutional name prompted last night's meeting in Athens between the foreign ministers of Yugoslavia and Greece, Milan Milutinovich and Teodoros Pangalos.

[02] ATHENS WARNS BELGRADE

[03] EU DISCUSSIONS ON MACEDONIAN PERSPECTIVES

The Macedonian Radio has learned from Italian diplomatic sources that the EU has serious intentions of strengthening its relations with FRY, however, this will be reviewed in light of the intentions of Serb President Milosevich to recognize Macedonia and Croatia.

Sources from the European Commission claim that this file is nearing a closing stage and that FRY is expected to recognize Macedonia during this weekend.

[04] ALBANIA GRATEFUL FOR DELIVERED WHEAT

Macedonia started the delivery of some 12,000 tones of wheat these days, at very favorable prices. Macedonian and Albanian transport companies have been hired to help speed up the delivery, the announcement says.

[05] CUSTOMS REGIME WITH FRY REMAINS

Calling upon sources in the competent ministry, it is claimed that the FRY Government is authorized, on the basis of reciprocity, to make a decision to reduce or completely abolish all additional import taxes on goods from the former YU republics, except for cigarettes.

[06] LIBERALS INCLUDED IN GOVERNMENT RECONSTRUCTION

1. The Central Committee entirely supports the proposal of the president of SDSM and prime minister, Branko Crvenkovski, to carry out a complete reconstruction of Government, with a view to increasing the Government's ability to implement the program it declared during the elections, i.e. to resolve the acute economic, political and social problems that lie ahead for Macedonia.

2. In view of the stance of the Liberal Party that it does not participate in the Government as a party, and that, consequently, it does not bear any responsibility for its work, i.e. that the ministers-members of the Liberal Party are taking part in it as experts whose party does not have parliamentary support, the Central Committee of SDSM decided that they should be included in the upcoming reconstruction of Government, as well.

3. The Central Committee concluded that the SDSM will continue to fully implement the program of the Alliance for Macedonia in line with its program orientations, which served as a basis for the election platform of the Alliance for Macedonia.

[07] FORUM ON DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES OF RM: GOAL - A MEDIUM- DEVELOPED COUNTRY

In the next 15 years, Macedonia's basic goals and priorities will be: achieving the economic structure of a medium- developed country, entering the European Union, attracting direct foreign investments in our country, improving the competitive ability of the Macedonian industry on the world market, establishing an efficient financial system, stimulating exports and developing tourism. These are some of the more important points the participants in this Forum underlined at the last day of this conference, held in Ohrid.

In the panel discussion related to the visions for Macedonia's development, the exposition of the vice-governor of the National Bank of Macedonia, Gligor Bishev, caused quite a lot of attention. He said that the stability of the prices is a very important factor for economic growth and the creation of favorable saving conditions. Furthermore, he proposed that the projections of the monetary policy be made out for a medium term of 5 years. Dr. Ariton Zhikov, on the other hand, discussed the perspectives of Macedonian exports, underlining the need to form a special institution which would support exports and insure export credits of high risk.

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