MILS NEWS 15/03/96

From: "M.I.L.S." <[email protected]>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

Skopje, 15 March 1996

[01] FRCHKOVSKI OFFICIALLY INVITED TO A MEETING WITH PANGALOS

The term of the visit would be defined additionally, although it is expected to take place till the end of this month.

Today's daily 'Nova Makedonija' informs on the statement of the Greek government representative Dimitris Reppas that in case Frckovski accepts Pangalos's invitation, the meeting will take place in Athens, but the name issue will not be discussed, since it is a subject of discussions in New York with mediation of Cyrus Vance.

[02] SIMITIS - 'THE ICE IS MELTING'

Leader of the 'Political Spring' Party, Samaras, after his meeting with Simitis, repeated his firm stand that the name issue of 'Skopje' should be solved by a referendum, and not by a decision of the government.

Greek media yesterday reminded that the initiative for a direct meeting came from the Macedonian Minister.

[03] ALBRIGHT - 'PROGRESS THROUGH A DIALOGUE '

'The aim of my visit to Macedonia will be to meet with UNPREDEP, the UN Peace Mission, and to support the democratic processes in the country. We believe the moves of your government are important and useful, which is why I hope to meet with of your leaders.

We are very satisfied by the development of the Macedonian- Greek relations lately, as it seems a progress is being made. The best and the only way for that are the dialogues and agreements, made without any pressure or interfering of a third party. All members of the Security Council agree that we would be most satisfied if the two parties reach a solution by themselves. The attitude of the US is that Cyrus Vance has contributed a lot in the negotiations, and that there has been some progress, despite the fact that there are still unresolved issues remaining. Although I find the mediating useful, I still think it is most important that the two confronted parties reach an agreement by themselves.

I also think the recognition between the former republics of SFRY will contribute to the faster solving of the current disputes, which is why USA insist on the recognition.'

[04] DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH LATVIA

[05] MINORITIES AS A COOPERATION BRIDGE

[06] STABILIZING INFLUENCE OF UNPREDEP ON THE PEACE IN THE REGION

Ljubomir Frchkovski yesterday also met with the Counselor in the German Embassy in Macedonia, d-r Paul Dietrich. They positively estimated the bilateral cooperation, especially in the international organisations. The German diplomat stressed the interest of his country for the UN Security Council to include greater number of countries, representatives of all regions in the world, and Germany to become its standing member.

[07] MINISTER FRCHKOVSKI SOON IN SOFIA?

He also said that Bulgaria was the active party, which suggested variants and formulas, while Skopje was being silent.

Bulgarian papers informed, on the other hand, about the Macedonian initiative to prepare an Agreement on friendship and cooperation between the two countries, planned to be signed by the two Presidents, and that the initiative is willingly accepted by Sofia.

[08] TRADE EXCHANGE WITH IRAN DRASTICALLY REDUCED

The guest from Iran also met with the President of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce, Dushan Petreski. They estimated the last year's trade exchange of $7 million was too small in comparison with the potentials of the two countries. In order to improve the cooperation (which was on the level of $50 million in 1991), the state administrations should sign agreements on trade relations, payments, investment protection, avoiding the double taxation, etc. It was agreed for a Macedonian delegation to visit Iran during this year.

[09] CONFRONTATIONS REGARDING THE DEBT OF FORMER SFRY

[10] MACEDONIA FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A FAIR IN FRY

[11] STATISTICS ON THE MACEDONIAN ECONOMY

The production in January 1996 has, however, fallen for 11.9% in comparison with December 1995, according to which only 5 branches have made an increase. The one of oil derivatives has increased for 69%, and in comparison with the average values for 1995, for 87.3%. This branch had a production of 26.7% less in 1995 than in 1994. The statistical data show there is an improvement in the reproduction materials manufacturing, while the consumer goods production is decreasing.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[12] Three Kinds of Owners

('Vecer', 14 March 1996)

Until now, a building site was the land declared property of the state by a legal document, or some other kind of legislation. That way of allotting, organizing and using the sites contributed to a great disharmony in the realization of the urban plans. It was the reason to urgently pass a new law, by which the transformation of the social ownership will be made in the sphere of civil engineering.

The tactics of the competent Ministry of Works and Ecology probably came as a result of the doubt how to choose the best and the least painful way of allotting the building sites. There are three ways for this in the world. The first one is the above mentioned, which will soon be abandoned.

The other one is to lease the sites to a long term, when the government decides on the conditions, fixed at very beginning. The conditions are the time limits of renting and the rights given to the lessee. There are such examples in many European countries, where the leases are made for a period of at least 20 to at most 99 years. The third way is a combination of the previous two, i.e. to rent the land surrounding the object for a long term, and to declare the land on which the object is built a private property of the lessee.

The competent Ministry has already prepared the draft Law on Building Sites. It separates the building sites from other land, such as the agricultural land, the meadows and the woods. The construction lands are not considered to be only those in the towns and villages, but all areas where something is planned to be built. As the Law on the Denationalization includes the denationalization of the building sites, several forms of ownership are suggested. In other words, it can be a property of the state, of the local self-governing unit or of legal or physical subjects.

Foreigners will not be given the right to own a building site, but will be given the right to lease land to a long- term, on which they would build objects in their property.

In accordance with the western contemporary model, the longest lease term accepted is that of 99 years. Every lease contract will be signed with certain compensation. This matter is also regulated by the Law on Self-Governing, and the local self-governing unit is given the right to establish a public enterprise.

In order to solve all the problems regarding the building sites in the best possible way, another Law - project is being prepared at the Faculty of Law, which is another proof how serious this matter is. However, it is strange why hasn't the Law been passed till now. A problem has to be defined before it is solved, for which a great ability and promptness are needed.

If we want the foreign capital to enter this sphere it is necessary for the draft Law to enter the parliamentary procedure as soon as possible.

(end)

mils news 15 March 1996