According to A1 TV report, at 4pm on July 21, 15 policemen armed with handguns and rifles, without a search warrant, forcibly entered into the house number 161 on "Marshal Tito" street in Strumica. They woke up Lika Koturovikj and her underage daughters, looking for her husband Misho.

 

"Ten to fifteen policemen entered the front yard. As soon as I saw them, I ran to open the door for them. They did not show me a warrant; I could only see their rifles and handguns. They were looking for my husband, but he is not here. I don't know where is he," said Lika Koturovikj for A1 TV.

 

"They distress my family, they freaked up my children, they openned all doors, and entered into the children's bedroom with rifles, looking for my husband in the closets. They stole my TV, Hi-fi, some gold, and told me they can enter and exit whenever they want, they can do whatever they want, nobody can stop them," Ms. Koturovikj explains.

 

According to his spouse, Misha Koturovikj is indeed a drug user, but not a criminal.

 

"If my husband was a criminal, we wouldn't have lived modestly in a rented house. We would be rich, we would have our own house, or an apartment, and a beautiful life," she adds.

 

This is a third time in a month for the police to break into Lika's home, which significantly distresses her children.

 

"My three and a half years old girl is terrified. She refuses to come home from her grandmothers' place, she is too frightened. The younger [baby] just cries, she feels that something is not right," says Lika.

 

Strumica police officials stated that Misho is a drug user and a drug dealer.

 

Everything that took place on July 21 in Lika Koturovikj's home happened according to the law.

 

According to them, the police conducted the search using a court order, as part of the action of prevention of spread the narco-business in Strumica region.

 

 

 

The Macedonian Government considers that there is no need for increasing of the number of NATO soldiers in Macedonia, Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski said Thursday in Kumanovo.

"I cannot understand why TFF should be deployed in Gevgelija for example," Georgievski said, adding that the Government received no official letter on this matter.

He also said that the VMRO-DPMNE list of candidates for the parliamentary elections would be presented until August 5. Georgievski confirmed that he would lead the list of candidates for the Ohrid-Bitola election district, while Interior Minister would be the first on the list for one of other five districts.

Asked about Macedonia's relations with Albania after the latest border incident, Georgievski said, "It is not a secret that the relations with Albanian has been based on the principle "warm-cold" for the last two years, despite the efforts of Macedonia to improve the situation."

This afternoon, accompanied by Lambe Arnaudov, Director of the Electric Power Supply Company (ESM), and Dragan Daravelski, Director of the Customs Administration, Georgiveki visited the company for wood products "DIER" in Kumanovo.

Vlado Lazarevski, the company Director, briefed Georgievski about the production program and possibilities for further development of this company, which employs 210 persons.

Afterwards, Georgievski visited the company for ceramic products "KIK", with annual production of 80 million pieces, which besides in Macedonia, are presented on the markets in Serbia and Kosovo.

"The visit to Kumanovo is aimed at promotion of a development program for this region, which will take place this evening. We have also wished to learn more about the middle companies, as their successful work may give significant contribution to the GDP growth," Georgievski said.

Today, he also visited the companies "11 Oktomvri", "Polet" and the private enterprise "Sobim".

At the factory "11 Oktomvri", Georgievski was informed about the ongoing production of water pipes, worth about 20 million, for the needs of Dojran Lake "Strezevo" - Bitola irrigation system.

In the evening, Georgievski attended a promotion of the Association "For Better Kumanovo", which took place in the Kumanovo Spa.

The association will deal with everyday problems and projects for development of Kumanovo.

Association chairman Dragan Daravelsi, who presented the working program, said that water supply, arranging of the Church "St. Nikola" Park and restoration of the art gallery in the "Sokolana" building were considered as priority tasks.

The association will also assist in employment of high-educated persons, and modernization of the border crossing Tabanovce according to the European standards.

 

 

 

Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Slobodan Casule addressed Thursday at the 405 session of the OSCE Permanent Council, referring to the role of OSCE and other partners of the international community in restoring peace and stability in Macedonia, as well as to assistance that the international monitors would grant for the parliamentary elections in the country, scheduled for September 15.

"These elections will be a grand finale of an effort to defeat terrorism with political tools, which I am convinced that the citizens of Macedonia will crown with triumph. This is not rhetoric. These are not empty words. Deeds stand behind them.

Last time in Vienna, at the beginning of this year, I spoke about the outcome of a crisis, of the necessity of avoiding another over the issue of borders, of our conviction in political solutions as an answer to conflicts, of our dedication to reforms, of the positive changes that have occurred, the progress we are achieving each day, and the ways ahead. Today, my very presence here addressing you about the basic tool of democracy, of its essence: elections as our final task, and our first chapter of a new era, is more than a confirmation that Macedonia has achieved what it undertook.

What we promised is done. Our democratic and political institutions are vital and functioning.

I am a proud man today. We put deeds where our words were. And we are prepared for more.

We have worked very hard in the past months, focusing on matters important for the future of the country, for its further stabilization and getting back to the normal track of development and reforms. It is not my intention to elaborate on the progress achieved, since the developments in Macedonia have been often on your agenda, but I would like to mention a few things, which I deem important to emphasize.

First, the obligations contained in the Ohrid Framework Agreement and its annexes have been carried out, thus confirming the political commitment of the Macedonian Government and Parliament to implement the Agreement.

The legislative changes foreseen under Annex B are already adopted, including the latest adoption of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure. And, we have gone even further - by passing the Amnesty Law as a tool for confidence building.

The new Parliament will have to adopt the Law on Local Financing and amendments to a series of laws to help its implementation and the Law on Passports, the main aim of which is to produce a passport meeting EU standards, which will enable our citizens to travel freely. Second, starting from the point of view of stability and security in the country, the re-entry process of the Macedonian police force into the sensitive regions has been finalized, despite the delay. This has been done with the assistance of the OSCE, EUMM and other partners from the international community in a manner that generated stability and confidence and should accelerate and facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons and normalization of living conditions.

 

Furthermore, with the aim of re-establishing the rule of law and order, the Macedonian police developed and are implementing a plan for police conduct in the formerly sensitive regions. It should be carried out in co-ordination with international partners: OSCE, EUMM, NATO, UNHCR, ICRC and EU. The Plan will further promote confidence building, not only between the police and the local population, but also more importantly between ethnic communities and among neighbours. Parallel to this, the process of training new multiethnic police is going on as envisaged.

With regard to the issue of the special police forces, let me recall the commitment of Prime Minister Georgevski to transform them into border control police units by the end of the year. Their transformation is in close correlation with the situation in the Region, and will be done with collaboration and support of the international community. Our aim is to propose and lead a regional project on inter-border security where instead of overseeing each other Macedonia and its neighbours will prevent organized crime in a joint effort, but mainly by building trust and protecting the rule of law.

As you are aware, in early July the President of the Parliament scheduled the parliamentary elections in Macedonia for 15 September. However, in order to facilitate timely preparations of the robust mission, and in view of the fact that the date of the elections was preliminarily agreed upon between the four political parties signatories to the Framework Agreement, I informed the ODIHR of its prospective role even before the official announcement and the formal invitation for observation of the elections was made.

Many in Macedonia perceive these elections as a test of democracy. I would add, it is a test of confidence for further promotion of democracy. They are of paramount importance for my country, expecting to mark the end of a very difficult and challenging period, and the beginning of a new stage of prosperity for all citizens of Macedonia. I would like to assure you that the Government of the Republic of Macedonia is doing everything in its power to make the election process fair, democratic and transparent, thus reaffirming the democratic achievements so far.

That is why we asked that a robust ODIHR mission be deployed, primarily in the former crisis regions where the principle of the rule of law yet remains to be fully established. This is yet another confirmation of our commitment to free, fair and transparent elections, in accordance with international legal standards and criteria. We understand it as a joint venture of confidence building, since the main object of terrorism is destruction of democracy.

I have come here to vouch that the Republic of Macedonia is capable, determined and will once again prove that it stands by its words, to guarantee the security of the observation missions, assuming all responsibility. As a joint project with the OSCE, 3500 multiethnic policemen will undergo a training seminar on police conduct during the elections. As an added value, we have the NATO Amber Fox task force, which within its mandate, is sufficient. It should not be modified nor broadened, and we are grateful to our allies in NATO for understanding this.

Peace has come to our country and we will guarantee it by reinforcing democracy.

I would like to express my governments firm conviction that after the September elections, Macedonia will be reaffirmed as a democratic state with ever-rising standards and democracy. We are happy to have Mr. Peel Yates leading the mission. I believe that his experience and knowledge of the situation in Macedonia will contribute to the success of the observation mission.

There is one very important issue in the context of the elections. Namely, there is still a large number of displaced persons in Macedonia. We believe that their return to their homes before the elections is of paramount importance for the process. Therefore, I would like to urge the organizations involved in reconstruction, in particular the EU, to intensify their activities in this respect.

The crisis has had devastating economic and social consequences. The main focus in the forthcoming period should be placed on ensuring stable conditions and providing resources for speedy development. We are committed to proceed with the process of necessary reforms, which we actually did not neglect even during the crisis. Of particular importance is the implementation of the SAA, which is on the top of our agenda; let me also use this opportunity to call upon those EU member states that have not yet ratified this agreement, to do so. We are grateful for the holding of the Donor Conference and the pledges expressed as well as for the already provided assistance, and we expect its further effectuation. Providing conditions for economic development and prosperity are the most efficient confidence building and conflict prevention measures. That is why the Republic of Macedonia needs continuous support and seeks increased co-operation with its partners from the international community.

In this context, bearing in mind the experience we went through, we strongly believe that Macedonia's membership in EU and NATO is the solution to the lasting stability and prosperity of the region.

Last but not least, I would like to refer to the successful cooperation with the OSCE Spillover Mission. It is a real example of a joint undertaking and partnership. I would like to underline that the Mission's activities and personnel have been tailored to the needs on the ground, in close consultations with the Government. This is a model that gave results. The modalities for the OSCE engagement in the country for the next year will be assessed later this year, having in mind the results achieved and what remains to be done.

Finally, I would like to commend Ambassador Jenness for his tireless efforts in leading the Mission," Casule said.

 

 

 

Leaders of VMRO-DPMNE Ljubcho Georgievski and of Liberal Party (LP) Stojan Andov officially announced their coalition for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Macedonia on September 15.

"This coalition was initiated in the past several years in one close cooperation regarding the greatest national interest of Macedonia - we had joint positions on how to defend Macedonia in the time when it was attacked, as well as during the endless parliamentary battle until the adoption of Framework Agreement," VMRO-DPMNE leader and Macedonian Prime Minister Ljubcho Georgievski said.

According to Georgievski, the decision on establishing the coalition was reached on all party's levels.

"This coalition does not have an ambition to attract all registered parties around it and to create one 'omnibus' coalition. The opportunity for cooperation with some other political party remains open until August 5, but these two parties are the pillars of the coalition," Georgievski said.

"The ambition of this coalition is very clear, to win the elections on September 15. We have many preconditions for victory, both in our past politics and in our future program," he pointed out.

LP leader and Parliament Speaker Stojan Andov pointed out that the main goal of the coalition was to improve the quality of life of the Macedonian citizens in the next four years, to increase the sense of security and safety and to enhance Macedonia as a state. This will allow Macedonia to be considered as respected and desired partner regarding all international key issues, both in the region, Europe and worldwide.

"We will stimulate all processes for modernization and development of civil society and we will develop the democratic state institutions in order to provide to the citizens all their rights and liberties as well as constitutional guarantees," Andov said.

He emphasized that the coalition would continue the reforms for modernization of the state administration, the judiciary, economy and the other sectors. "We will canalize the results we expect from the reforms carried out so far, which are quite solid ground," he said.

Furthermore, Andov pointed out that they expect the salaries and the pensions to be increased for five percent each year.

"Parallel with all reforms, we will combat the organized crime and we will operationalize the adopted legal solutions in order to impose the market principles and to disable the discretion ones," Andov said.

He pointed out the priority issues such as the regulation of the relations with the neighboring countries, resolving the disputed and conflicting issues, and creating an atmosphere of cooperation, friendship and good neighborly relations. This is our obligation arising from the Stabilization and Association Agreement signed with the European Union and will enhance our way to Europe.

"We will continue the cooperation with the international community with further affirmation of Macedonia in the international relations. Furthermore, in order to reduce the internal conflicts and to enhance the confidence we will commit for full implementation of Framework Agreement," Andov said.

We believe that in the next four years we will make Macedonia able for the race to Europe, Andov pointed out, adding that Macedonia will follow the path of Portugal and Greece, which used to have same national income as us, but now are far ahead of us.

Andov believes that there were no reforms in Macedonia until 2000. "Because of the reforms' slowdown in the period 1993 - 2000 Macedonia lost and is still lagging behind in the race towards Europe. We made the main steps in that respect," Andov said at the official promotion of the coalition with VMRO-DPMNE.

 

In 1878 the first newspaper - "Maritsa" - was issued after the Liberation of Bulgaria.

In 1879 Bulgaria established diplomatic relations with Italy.

In 1935 the 7th Congress of the Comintern, at the proposal of  Georgi Dimitrov , devised tactics to establish Popular Fronts; a decision was made to set up a Macedonian, Thracian  and Dobrudja  nations .

In 1996 the Republic of Bulgaria's Coat of Arms Act.