Macedonia

Parents Face Suspects at Macedonia Mass Murder Trial

The parents of five victims in the politically-charged case gave emotional testimony at a Skopje court as they faced those accused of killing their sons.The parents of five victims in the politically-charged case gave emotional testimony at a Skopje court as they faced those accused of killing their sons.With tears …

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Nimetz Arrives in Skopje for ‘Name’ Talks

The UN mediator in the Greek-Macedonian ‘name’ dispute, Matthew Nimetz, has arrived in Skopje after previously visiting Athens.Nimetz is set to meet Macedonian officials and present fresh ideas for overcoming the long-standing impasse. On Wednesday, Nimetz met Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos in Athens. After …

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Macedonian Opposition Sets Election Terms

The central board of the opposition Social Democrats, SDSM, on Tuesday said that only a change in three key ministerial posts, and their replacement by people who meet their approval, will enable them to take part in the elections. The opposition deems Police Minister Gordana Jankulovska, Justice Minister Blerim Bexheti, …

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Macedonian Capital to Recycle Communal Waste

An Italian company in partnership with the city will invest €73 million in order to turn Skopje’s communal waste landfill into a modern recycling facility.The public-private partnership deal that the city signed with the Italian consortium, FCL AMBIENTE SRL and UNIECO SCC COOP, aims to cut the amount of waste …

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Nimetz Starts New Push For Macedonia ‘Name’ Deal

The UN mediator in the Macedonia-Greece ‘name’ talks, Matthew Nimetz, is visiting Athens and Skopje, bringing fresh proposals for a solution to the dispute.Officials in Athens and Skopje expect the UN mediator in the longstanding dispute over Macedonia’s name – to which Greece objects – to put forward some fresh …

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Macedonian Court Clears Alleged Communist Informants

Two former officials accused of collaborating with Communist-era Yugoslavia’s secret police have had their names cleared.The administrative court in Skopje overturned a preliminary ruling by Macedonia’s Lustration Committee that former ambassador to Poland, Petre Nakjovski, and former state security service official Hetem Ejup Ademi had been secret police collaborators during …

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Macedonia Considers Bringing Back Conscription

Macedonia’s top general wants conscripts to bolster the country’s cash-strapped forces, but the defence minister disagrees.The head of the army’s general staff, General Goranco Koteski, said that conscription could boost Macedonia’s security but defence minister Fatmir Besimi rejected the idea of reintroducing non-professional soldiers. “We should remain consistent to our …

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Opposition to Boycott Local Elections in Macedonia

Political crisis continues in Macedonia as Social Democrat-led opposition says it will boycott local elections in March.Opposition parties led by the Social Democratic Party, SDSM, said they will not take part in the March local elections on the grounds that the Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, plans to rig the polls. …

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Macedonian Budget Blocked in Parliament

The Macedonian opposition has blocked the adoption of the national budget for next year, as it battles with the government over proposed loans.Parliament’s Commission on Financing and Budget is blocked with over 1,200 amendments submitted by the opposition Social Democrats, SDSM. This makes it uncertain whether the commission will have …

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Strasbourg Finds Macedonia Guilty in Rendition Case

European Court rules rules that Macedonia was responsible for torture, ill-treatment of Khaled El-Masri, a victim of CIA rendition, and orders payment of 60,000 euro in damagesThe court found El-Masri’s account to be established beyond reasonable doubt and held Macedonia responsible for his torture and ill-treatment both in the country …

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