Zaev: Law on languages contributes to the ‘One Society for All’ concept


-“The Law on the Use of Languages fully complies with the Constitution and amendment 5 passed 17 years ago. No one is and no one cannot be above the Constitution. At the same time, this law fully guarantees adequate use of the Macedonian language and is considered a serious contribution to building the concept of […]

Tzanakopoulos: Name talks in positive direction


The talks for settling the Athens-Skopje name dispute are on the positive track at the moment and will be intensified, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said on Thursday. At the regular press briefing, Tzanakopoulos said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working on the draft agreement, confirming also that FM Nikos Kotzias would soon […]

Osmani: Procedure on the law on languages was not violated


-“The procedure has not been violated in the adoption of the Law on the Use of Languages and the President is obliged to sign the bill”, said Vice Premier for European Affairs Bujar Osmani on Thursday. “Macedonia has closed an important chapter of its history and as of today it is more unified in its […]

‘Kathimerini’: Kotzias visit amid tensions in Skopje


The visit of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias to Skopje, most probably on March 22-23, comes at a time of rising political tensions following Wednesday’s events in the parliament regarding the adoption of the law on languages, reads Greek daily “Kathimerini”. The paper explains that the law was adopted but the Parliament’s security services prevented […]

Xhaferi: Ivanov will violate Constitution if he fails to sign the law on languages


Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov will violate the Constitution if he fails to sign the bill of the Law on the Use of Languages, said Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi on Thursday. Xhaferi did not say what would happen if Ivanov failed to sign the bill. “I will not comment on hypothetical situations. Article 75 of the […]

Parliament Speaker Xhaferi skips item on law on languages


Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi skipped the item on the law on the use of languages which was supposed to resume Wednesday’s 32nd session. Instead, MPs voted for other items of the agenda. Earlier, VMRO-DPMNE MP Ilija Dimovski said the languages law shouldn’t be debated and the session should be cancelled. According to him, the 35,000+ amendments, submitted […]

Parliament Speaker Xhaferi skips item on law on languages


Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi skipped the item on the law on the use of languages which was supposed to resume Wednesday’s 32nd session. Instead, MPs voted for other items of the agenda. Earlier, VMRO-DPMNE MP Ilija Dimovski said the languages law shouldn’t be debated and the session should be cancelled. According to him, the 35,000+ amendments, submitted […]

Baily: Macedonia and Greece should reach mutual name solution


US Ambassador Jess Baily  reiterated US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell’s comments,  who stated yesterday that the US was interested in seeing the name dispute resolved and that both Macedonia and Greece should reach the decision themselves. “We follow this closely. Macedonia and Greece are both friends and allies […]

Bosnjakovski: Kotzias’ visit considered a step forward to find name solution


-“Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias’ visit to Macedonia, expected to take place next week, is a step forward in finding a final solution to the name dispute”, government spokesman Mile Bosnjakovski said Wednesday. The government spokesman said that the exact date of Kotzias’ visit to Skopje is yet to be determined. Asked to comment on […]

Macedonia and China sign mutual annulment of visas


Republic of Macedonia and the People’s Republic of China will sign an agreement over mutual annulment of visas for countries’ nationals. The Government endorsed Tuesday the proposal by the Ministry of Interior over the signing of a bilateral agreement. The Macedonian Government also accepted the proposal for initiation of a procedure for talks over the […]

Theodorakis: Government to present name proposals in Parliament after Easter


-“The government intends to acquire certain proposals through the talks and present them to the parliament after Easter. This goes both for Albania and Skopje”, says Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis. In an interview with Greek radio Skai, Tjeodorakis referred to the name issue, reiterating the stance of his party and the centre-left Movement of Change, […]

Theodorakis: Government to present name proposals in Parliament after Easter


-“The government intends to acquire certain proposals through the talks and present them to the parliament after Easter. This goes both for Albania and Skopje”, says Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis. In an interview with Greek radio Skai, Tjeodorakis referred to the name issue, reiterating the stance of his party and the centre-left Movement of Change, […]

Mitchell: USA supports Macedonia and Greece’s efforts to solve the name dispute


-“The United States supports Macedonia and Greece’s efforts to find a joint resolution to the name dispute. The only durable solution will be a joint solution. Macedonia has taken tremendous steps forward to engage in the negotiations with its Greek interlocutors and there is tremendous opportunity, greater than we have ever had”, stated thee US […]

Pavlopoulos: Name and constitutional change, then treaty signing


-“A constitutional revision first, then signing of a bilateral agreement”, said Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Tuesday in Athens. During a meeting with Portuguese counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Greek president referred to the country’s open foreign policy issues, including the name dispute. According to Pavlopoulos, the constitutional revision was not a Greek requirement, […]

Greek media: Kotzias to visit Skopje on March 22-23


According to Athens daily newspaper ‘Ta Nea’, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will arrive in Skopje on March 22 for a two-day visit. The article entitled “After a slight delay, Kotzias in Skopje” describes his visit as important as the talks will focus on “the Greek proposals and the corresponding Skopje proposals” for an agreement […]

Greek media: Kotzias to visit Skopje on March 22-23


According to Athens daily newspaper ‘Ta Nea’, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will arrive in Skopje on March 22 for a two-day visit. The article entitled “After a slight delay, Kotzias in Skopje” describes his visit as important as the talks will focus on “the Greek proposals and the corresponding Skopje proposals” for an agreement […]

US Assistant Secretary Wess Mitchell visits Skopje


US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Wess Mitchell arrives in Skopje on Tuesday, as part of his Balkan tour. During the visit, Mitchell will meet Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said yesterday that the US official’s visit to Skopje is just a confirmation […]

Ivanov meets with Zvizdić, chairman of the Council of Ministers of BH


Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov met with Denis Zvizdić, chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday. Ivanov and Zvizdić discussed the political situation in the region and in the two countries, confirming their commitment to fully integrate into the EU and NATO. “European integration is essential to the stability and development […]

Dimitrov: Macedonia wants to solve the name dispute, but it’s not entirely up to us


-“The negotiation process with Greece evolves daily, and with it, the optimism for a solution, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov said Monday during a news conference held together with his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz. Macedonia, he pointed out, is doing all it can to reach a fair compromise that is acceptable to both sides. We are […]