Latest News from Macedonia

116 222 Foreigners Got Bulgarian Passports from 2001 to Mid 2015

A total of 116 222 foreigners have received Bulgarian citizenship in the period between 2001 and May 2015. The information has been confirmed by the Ministry of Justice.

Out of them, 113 647 people have been granted citizenship on account of their origins. The total number of candidates for the same period was 185 447.

BIRN Hosts Media Freedom Conference

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network's regional media conference, entitled 'Media Freedom Challenges', will be held on Friday June 12, in Sarajevo, where BIRN's directors and media experts will debate the main obstacles to media freedom in the Balkans.

Kosovo No State, Serbian President Tells Jahjaga

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has told the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, that she should not consider herself a state president since Kosovo "will never be a state", according to well founded reports in the Belgrade media.

New Talks on Macedonia Crisis Open in Brussels

Hahn is due to meet Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and opposition Social Democrat leader Zoran Zaev in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss an agreement on a transitional period that will lead up to snap elections by next April.

TAV Airports voted 'best in investor relations' for fourth year in a row

TAV Airports has been voted the Best Turkish Company in Investor Relations (IR) in the 42nd Extel Survey. At the same time, TAV Airports President & CEO Sani ?ener was voted the best CEO, Vice President Burcu Geri? the Best CFO and head of IR Nursel ?lgen the Best IRO in Turkey, the company said in a written statement on June 9. 

EU Needs Western Balkans, Summit Leaders Say

A summit of regional leaders on Monday in Montenegro heard that the EU project is incomplete without the Western Balkans.

The EU accession process is not a technical but a political issue in which the specificities of each country must also be taken into account, it was further concluded.

Bulgaria's 3 Border Patrol Helicopters Grounded over Lack of Insurance

The three Augusta helicopters that are supposed to be patrolling Bulgaria's borders with Serbia, Macedonia, and Turkey have been grounded at the airport in Bezmer due to the lack of aviation insurance.

In November 2014 Bulgaria's Border Police unit launched a public procurement procedure for the insurance of the three helicopters, according to reports of Pressa daily.

Tourism industry loses momentum

By Stathis Kousounis

The prolonged uncertainty regarding the Greek economy, which is not seen disappearing before Athens reaches an agreement with the country?s creditors, is taking its toll on the short-term prospects of Greek tourism, according to the sector?s professionals.

Macedonia Govt 'Put NGOs Under Surveillance'

Top activists from leading NGOs like the Macedonian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Transparency - Macedonia, the Open Society Foundation - Macedonia, CIVIL - Centre for Freedom and the Metamorphosis foundation have been tapped for years, the opposition Social Democrats' leader Zoran Zaev alleged at a press conference on Monday.

Macedonia Probes Migrant Kidnapping Claims

Police said they had launched a probe after Britain's Channel 4 News programme broadcast a report about hundreds of migrants from countries like Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen being held for ransom by gangs in at least one Macedonian village, alleging that local police has been colluding with their captors.

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