In relation to the latest statements for continuation of the Macedonian-Greek negotiations, published in the press, the Macedonian Foreign Ministry assesses the agreement for the start of direct negotiations between the governments of the RM and the Republic of Greece, in the presence of Cyrus Vance, as a positive step. The direct negotiations have always been a proposal and stance of the Republic of Macedonia, as there is no other way for neighbors to negotiate.
As to the negotiations, our stance in regard to the name is well-known, while we can discuss everything else. However, we are convinced that real, equal negotiations are not held under conditions of an embargo. The lifting of the embargo would be the right step that would create a favorable atmosphere for necessary trust and a successful course of the negotiations. Therefore, if the statement is true that the embargo should last also during the negotiations, we are expressing our standpoint that this is unacceptable to the Republic of Macedonia. MACEDONIAN-GREEK DIALOGUE - DIALOGUE AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL?
The head of the Greek diplomacy Karolos Papoulias did not exclude the possibility yesterday of holding the negotiations between Athens and Skopje, scheduled to start in New York during the first days of April, with the mediation of Cyrus Vance, at a ministerial level, Makpress and Makfaks report.
Papoulias, who returned to Athens yesterday from the informal ministerial meeting of the EU in Krakason, sooner than expected, stated that the upcoming visit in New York would focus on all controversial issues, including the name. Papoulias, as Makfaks reports, did not exclude the possibility of the talks on the controversial issues being "separate and parallel."
As the Greek media conveys, the French Foreign Minister Allain Jupe stated yesterday that "the only optimistic thing" at the ministerial meeting of the EU in Krakason is the Greek announcement for normalization of the relations between Skopje and Athens. Otherwise, the first reactions in Athens to the possibility of establishing a direct Macedonian-Greek dialogue, are mainly positive. Strong criticism was directed from the ultra-nationalistic "Political Spring" of Andonis Samaras, who accused the Prime Minister Papandreou of backing down from the agreement with the political parties. Samaras' criticism was dismissed by the official representative of the Greek Government Venizelos, who said that there was no "secret agreement" between Athens and Skopje, only that the mediation efforts under the auspices of the UN were continuing.
As Makpress reports, Venizelos confirmed that a direct dialogue within the UN was possible, however, stressing that there were no changes in the stances toward the name Macedonia. Venizelos added that the embargo would not be lifted unless "the Skopje side gives some guarantees that changes would be made to the Constitution and state symbols." Papoulias also responded to the criticism, by saying that those who reacted negatively did not understand the essence of the problem, Makfaks reports.
A number of Greek newspapers are connecting the announcements for a direct dialogue between Athens and Skopje with the soon opening of an U.S. embassy in Macedonia. The pro- government "Ta nea" claims that the Macedonian Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski accepted for Macedonia to change the flag and controversial articles in the Constitution in exchange for the lifting of the Greek embargo. "Ta nea" adds that the verbal promises should be turned into a text that will be drawn up by the UN. The newspaper expresses reservation that a solution would be found within the framework of the New York negotiations, adding that it would be discussed later.
As part of the Conference for stability of Europe, Macedonia's Foreign Minister Stevo Crvenkovski held a meeting yesterday with the head of the British delegation Douglas Hogg, at his request. The meeting encompassed a number of topics, placing a special accent on the situation in the region, and in that context, the separation of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping forces for RM from the existing mandate of UNPROFOR. It was also announced that the bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed.
Apart from that, according to the Macedonian press, minister Crvenkovski restrained from making statements and comments in relation to the statement of the Greek minister Papoulias, made last weekend in Krakason, for the starting of a direct dialogue between Macedonia and Greece, at the UN. Today, minister Crvenkovski is expected to speak at the Conference.
This evening, Macedonia's ambassador to France Luan Starova will hold a conference in the Hall of Europe in Paris, on the theme "Macedonia in Europe," at which a larger number of French intellectuals have been invited.
Following the three-day stay in Athens at the Congress of the Greek Labour Conference, the president of the Union of Syndicates of Macedonian Zivko Tolevski stated in Skopje yesterday that "the Greek colleagues regard the inter-union cooperation as one of the priority tasks for the creation of a favorable atmosphere between the two countries."
As regards the embargo against Macedonia, the Greek union workers feel that it is wrong and that it presents an irrational move with negative consequences for all.
In Tolevski's contacts with the leadership of the Greek union, it was assessed that the unions should make efforts to unfreeze the relations between the official authorities. Tolevski explained that there is optimism that it will soon come to the establishment of communication between the two governments.
In April, the Macedonian Syndicate Union will be a host to the Greek delegation. This is also the time when the agreement for questions on which the cooperation between the unions of Macedonia and Greece will be based, is expected to be signed.
The Republic of Macedonia and FR Vietnam have established diplomatic relations, and the appointed ambassador Vladimir Petkovski submitted his credentials to the vice- president Nguen Ti Bin.
During the talks, it was concluded that the establishment of diplomatic relations would present further stimulus for the advancement of the relations and cooperation between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry announces.
"RECOGNITION OF SITUATION" "In spite of the difficulties that are present, the bilateral relations between Macedonia and Bulgaria can be assessed as very good," says Gjorgji Spasov, the Macedonian ambassador to Sofia, in the interview for the daily newspaper "Standard," Makpress reports.
"It's very important to recognize the present situation of the society in Macedonia. With us, the people feel like Macedonians and regard the language they speak as Macedonian. That language saved us from the Serboization in 1912. No one in the world will deny that our two peoples have a similar language, history and mentality.
The fact that Serbia and Greece do not recognize Macedonia as an independent state is of great danger for Macedonia."
In the interview for "Standard," Gjorgji Spasov says that the recognition of the Macedonian Orthodox Church "is one of the foundations of Macedonia's independence. It will also be of exceptional importance for Bulgaria if the Bulgarian Orthodox Church recognizes the MOC, with which it will admit and prove that it does not hold equal positions with the Serbian church," ambassador Spasov stated.
"Makpetrol" from Skopje has delivered 3,400 tones of crude oil and 1,860 tones of diesel fuel, so far, thanks to the PHARE program, and mainly to agricultural originations, milk dairies, schools and kindergartens. According to the statement of officials at "Makpetrol," the delivery is going normally and deals have been signed for the requested quantities.
As it is known, 27,000 tones of crude oil and 14,000 tones of diesel fuel have to be realized from the PHARE program. 20% of these quantities are free of charge, as they are for humanitarian means, while 80% of the quantities will be paid for, but at lower prices than regular. The funds that will be paid by the organizations will go to a special fund in the Government and spent for the supply of necessary raw materials and semi-finished goods.
Of these quantities, the Skopje heating company will also be supplied with 6,000 tones.
In relation to the project for support of the private farms, realized by the Ministry of Agriculture together with FAO and the World bank, this ministry informs that the project is being prepared and will be realized toward the end of this and the beginning of the year 1996.
This announcement is made due to the great interest of the potential users of the funds from this project, which are estimated at US$ 22 million, of which US$ 10 million are intended for direct investments.
In the bus factory from Skopje "11 October," the second phase of laying off workers is underway, according to which 390 workers have to leave the factory. According to information from the factory, only a small part of them are volunteers, while most will have to leave because their work places are abolished.
So far, 60 complaints over the layoffs have been submitted to the Union, which will be reviewed. According to union officials, there are some cases of disrespect of the layoff criteria.
In the first phase of dismissal, 461 volunteers left, and a large part of them were from the high expert personnel and good craftsmen. The maximum layoff money for these workers was DEM 5,000.
Yesterday, the sale of the business areas continued, whereby 7 shops were sold. 20 shops were placed on offer, but 7 of them still have unsettled legal problems, while there were no interested buyers for 6.
The shops that went on sale were located in the city center, at the beginning of the boulevard "Partizanski odredi." The shop of the trade organization "Trgotekstil" reached the highest price, at 8,917 DEM per 1m2. The price of the other shops was from 4,000 DEM to 7,000 DEM per 1 m2.
From today, "Invest Banka" resumed giving out consumer credits, after a 15 month break. Credits will be approved with pay back periods from 1 to 3 months. The lowest sum of the credits will be 20,000 MCD (US$ 537) up to 100,000 MCD (US$ 2,685). The interest will be 5.5% per month, and calculated at the end of each month.
Denar of foreign currency funds up to the level of the credit and interest can be submitted as guarantee, as well as a guarantee from another bank or citizens' cheques.
At the moment, loans are also given out only by savings banks, with interest from 5.45% to 7.5% per month.
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