MAK-NEWS 31/10/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 31 October 1995

[01] MACEDONIA WILL SOON BE INCLUDED IN THE PHARE PROGRAM

The German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Claus Kinkel, announced for the press yesterday that the EU is satisfied of the situation in Macedonia and will soon establish diplomatic relations and start bilateral talks with the Macedonian Government. Also, Macedonia will soon be admitted in the PHARE program in the framework of the financial aid to all the states of former Yugoslavia. The realization of the adopted program should be financed by the PHARE program and the budget of the Union.

As A1 TV reports, the Italian suggestion on regional cooperation has been accepted. Italy also suggested that the region of Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and part of Bulgaria should be financed through a member country.

Italian officials, cited by A1 TV, also mentioned that Italy has a plan of cooperation with the aforementioned region through construction of railways as well as trade and economic cooperation.

However, Macedonian radio reports that the financial aid for Macedonia will be realized in two phases. The first phase will be the admittance in the PHARE program, and the second phase will consider realization of stabilization projects through the group of '24 developed countries'.

The whole project on reconstruction of the former Yugoslav republics will be carried out by the IMF and the World Bank.

[02] MACEDONIAN OFFICIALS HAVE TALKS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WORLD BANK

The negotiations between World Bank representatives and officials from the Macedonian Government have resumed this week. The aim of the talks, according to 'Makfaks', is to make certain analysis of the level of economic reforms in Macedonia which will lead to the second part of the $99 million loan. The analysis will consider privatization of the 'Stopanska Banka-Skopje' after the talks with two Austrian banks.

[03] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEPUTIES VISIT MACEDONIA

A Delegation of the European Parliament will arrive to Macedonia today. The delegation is led by the Chief of the parliamentary group for East - European relations, Doris Pack. The aim of the visit, as Pack said, is to acquire further information on the democratic processes in the country.

[04] BALKAN IS AN ORGANIC PART OF EUROPE

According to 'ANA', the European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said yesterday that the Balkans should not be regarded as the "geopolitical fringe" nor as the "powder- keg" of Europe.

"On the contrary, the region was and continues to be an organic part of the European Union." Papoutsis said addressing a luncheon within the framework of a Balkan summit meeting on the political, economic and investment outlook for the region.

On the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic if Macedonia, Papoutsis said that the normalization of relations between Greece and the neighboring country would open the way for the development of relations and cooperation agreements between Skopje and the EU.

[05] BUSINESSMEN FROM NORTHERN GREECE VISIT ANDOV

The Macedonian Parliament President, Stojan Andov, had a meeting with a delegation of the businessmen from Northern Greece led by Nikos Eftiniyades.

Andov stated that the visit is important for the development of the relations between the two countries.

Only close cooperation will lead to results in the economy relations, said Andov. He also expressed pleasure on the Greek attitude in the EU concerning Macedonia, and added that businessmen from both countries will have chances for cooperation in the traffic, banking transactions and other fields. In conclusion, Andov expressed gratitude for the Greek condemnation of the assassination attempt on President Gligodov, and the Greek medical help.

[06] MUTUAL INTEREST FOR COOPERATION

The Macedonian and Greek businessmen at the meeting in Skopje yesterday agreed that good relations between both countries will be a key to improve other relations.

The President of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, Dusan Petrevski, stated that there are good chances of economic cooperation which may be realized after the adoption of certain regulations on investments, eliminating the double taxation, etc. These regulations should be adopted as soon as possible so that the cooperation may expand.

"Greeks want to have a stable neighbor which will prosper and which will establish good economic relations with Greece. But we should not forget the existing problems between both countries and try to solve them", said Nikos Eftiniyades, the President of the Industrial Association of Northern Greece.

He also emphasized the fact that the signed accord between Greece and Macedonia will lead to improvement of the economic relations between the two countries. The main issues that are to be solved are issues on transportation, taxation, etc., and there is a need of a joint commission, stated Eftiniyades.

Greek businessmen were also interested in bilateral agreement between Greece and Macedonia such as the one between Slovenia and Croatia. According to that, Macedonia will have a special status in the Greek economy, and the accord will be based on the principal of reciprocity.

[07] GREEK BORDER AUTHORITIES TEMPT THE PATIENCE OF THE MACEDONIAN CITIZENS

At the border crossing Bogorodica-Evzoni 40 automobiles and 50 transport vehicles were not allowed to enter Greece, Macedonian Radio reports. Greek authorities have not put into effect the agreed protocol on vehicle insurance which is patiently carried out by Macedonian authorities.

The Macedonian Red Cross delegation was not allowed to enter Greece as its secretary, Ivan Narasanov, was born in Salonica. The delegation sent a letter to the Greek Red Cross expressing its disappointment and suggested a meeting between the two organizations in Skopje.

Macedonian radio reports that representatives from Greek and Macedonian railway started talks on railway schedules and some financial issues. It is expected that the railway traffic will intensify.

[08] NO OFFERS ON THE NAME ISSUE, PAPOULIAS SAYS

The Greek Minister of Foreign affairs stated yesterday in Yanina that the talks on the name issue are preliminary and there are no offers about the name. According to him, Cyrus Vance has been told about the positions of the two parts and added that the second phase will be characterized by long and hard negotiations. As 'Makfaks' reports, the Greek daily 'Elephterotypia' says that Macedonian government will try to delay the negotiations.

It refers to the statement of the Macedonian Parliament President Andov given at the press conference. Namely, he stated that the absence of President Gligorov will delay any talks on the name problem 'Makpres' reports about an initiative of the Greek Defense Minister, Gerassimos Arsenis who proposed formation of a Balkan Council. The Council will establish cooperation in many fields, such as human rights, communication, the coordination of infrastructure, etc. The members of the Council will be Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and the countries of former Yugoslavia.

Arsenis said that this initiative could develop and be extended to security matters "which is already taking place within the frameworks of the Partnership for Peace and bilateral defense agreements" which Greece has signed with Bulgaria, Albania and Romania.

He also believes that it was only "logical" that all the channels of EU aid to the Balkan countries should pass through Greece.

[09] TELEGRAM FROM GLIGOROV TO DEMIREL

In the occurrence of the Turkish national holiday, the Macedonian President Gligorov sent a telegram to the Turkish President, Sulejman Demirel with sincere wishes for future prosperity. Similar telegrams were sent by the Macedonian Prime Minister, Branko Crvenkovski, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stevo Crvenkovski.

[10] GOSHEV: US SEES MACEDONIA AS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR

The President of the Democratic Party, Petar Goshev, after the four-week visit to U.S.A. said at a press conference yesterday that informed people in the U.S. consider Macedonia as an important factor in the region. As he said, his visit was a result of the invitation of the American Administration. He had talks with representatives of the IMF, 'Eksim Bank', the Federal Commission on elections, the Organization for Human Rights of California and other non- government organizations. The issues at the meetings were mostly about the economic situation in Macedonia, the development of democracy as well as international political relations. He added that his visit to U.S. was aimed to present the Macedonian interests, and that he did not present only the Democratic Party.

MILS SUPPLEMENT:

[11] THE LOCAL MANAGEMENT HAS EUROPEAN STANDARDS

(Nova Makedonija, 28 October 1995) Part II

The main problem during the last four years was the inefficiency of the local communities. The new Law introduces "self or local management" which expresses autonomous solution in dealing with certain questions. One of the news in the Law is the adoption of a city architect. The architect should be one of the best from the field, he/she should work on urban planning, architecture projects as well as renovation of city districts. The mandate of the city architect will last 4 years. During the discussion on the amendments there were some suggestions that there was no need of such an architect having in mind that it will not guarantee the protection of architecture. However, the amendment for city architecture remains in the Law.

Concerning the language use due to the percentage of the nationalities, after many disputed views it remained unchanged. When nationalities (minorities) number 50% of the total population in the community they have a right of using of their native language in the local institutions.

The same applies to communities with at least 20% which is considered as a significant number. So, practically this means public use of the languages of the minorities where they are in a certain percentage. The regulation on the significant number (20%) will provide two-language use in the institution, the names of the inhabited places, etc.

The only thing is that the regulation has to be adopted at the local management in order to come to force. The solution will depend on political parties at the time being.

Such solutions were not acceptable for the Albanian deputies so they voted against the Law.

The government did not accept criticism from Albanians on the percentage. Namely, the percentage of the significant number (20%) has been coordinated through certain social, cultural and other aspects since there is no regulation in other countries about the percentage. This solution will bring two-language use in Gostivar, Tetovo, Debar, Kichevo, Krushevo, Kumanovo, and Struga, as well as some Skopje communities where nationalities number more than 20%- Gazi Baba, Karposh, Chair and Center.

The Minister of justice, Vlado Popovski, stated that a huge work has been completed which will eventually lead to a higher level of development of the local communities.

According to the Minister, this model of local management is not perfect nor it is finished and eternal. in other words there is a space for changes, but only when the Law will be realized practically.

(end)

mils news 31 October '95