Athens’ memorandum proposal – a Greek trap or a step forwards? October 6, 2012
Posted by Yilan in Macedonia, Yunanistan.Tags: Athens, Daily Life, Greece, Macedonia, Makedonya, Yunanistan
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The letter sent to Minister Poposki says that the memorandum should set a framework and the basic parameters of the name issue solution. Most of the proposals in the draft memorandum, as Dnevnik comments, repeat the Interim Agreement, while the new, and rather moot, point concerns Athens’ demand for the two countries to undertake the engagement to find a name with a geographic term for a broad use.
The Greek foreign minister comments further that Poposki may address the Greek representation to Skopje, the Greek foreign ministry and name dispute negotiator Adamandios Vasilakis. Spokesperson of the Macedonian government, Alexandar Georgiev, on the other hand, said yesterday that Avramopoulos’ letter will be examined carefully and serious consideration.
With the draft paper the Greek government wants the two countries to agree on the inviolability of the borders, respect the territorial integrity of the other country, refrain from propaganda and statements, which could violate the negotiations, including the use of symbols, which are part of the cultural heritage of the two countries.
“We confirm that neither of the countries will back claims on any of the territories of the other or demand change of the borders,” the document reads.
One of the points in the documents envisages an agreement for speeding up the negotiations under the auspices of the UN, under Resolution 845, with the purpose to reach agreement on the differences, provided under Resolution 817.
With regard to this Avramopoulos proposes the two countries to reach an agreement on overall respect of the principles of good neighbourly relations and on non-interference in the home affairs of the other country under no circumstances.
The last point, which is unacceptable for Macedonia, is that the framework within which the name issue should be solved should be within the Greek red lines.
“There is a need to continue the process within the agreed framework of the basic parameters for the name issue solution, which will also include an agreement that any solution to the dispute will have a clear notion about the name and will not give chances for ambiguities around distinguishing the territory of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia and the regions of the neighbouring countries, especially the North Greece region and that the agreement will be for a broad use (erga omnes),” the paper says.
According to President of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly H.E. Dr. Srgjan Kerim, there is an obvious stirring up in the name issue talks, which is felt after the visit of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to Macedonia. According to him, there is no reason for the Macedonian government not to respond positively to Greece’s proposal.
“Our country should consider the draft memorandum a good will for negotiations,” Kerim said.
According to Vladimir Ortakovski, professor in international law, the texts concerning the inviolability of the borders and the respect to the sovereignty are indisputable, since they are provided in the interim agreement, too.
“We should reply that we do not accept any framework except for the one set by the UN Security Council. We cannot allow the outlining of possible solution,” Ortakovski remarked.
According to him, the memorandum is Athens’ response to the initiative for good neighbourly relations, proposed by Macedonia.
“Greece showed that it does not want to be in passive position. Thus, our diplomacy should analyse the proposal and then respond with a counter offer,” Ortakovski commented further.
Professor Stevo Pendarovski, who considers the text of the draft resolution good, also thinks that there is a need to pay attention to the part, which concerns the set framework for the agreement.
“The UN resolutions do not set parameters for name issue’s solution. We have to see whether Greece sets this important definition on purpose. The government should reply that it will not engage itself with this part, since the preliminary condition is to hold talks on name issue’s solution, while the framework is not for broad use.”
Bosko Stankovski, PhD(c) of International Law with the Cambridge University, said that there were certain points, which need to be paid attention to.
“There are two things that impressed me. First of all, the language used in the memorandum shows that Greece is trying to update the name dispute as an issue connected to the security and the basic condition for our European-Atlantic integration. This is not just by chance, since nowadays no one believes that the name affects the security. Secondly, Greece wants to set the stretch within which the name will be used before reaching a final solution,” Stankovski remarked.
Diplomats, who preferred to stay anonymous, commented that if the memorandum was expanded with one more point – that the two countries undertake the engagement to observe the interim agreement, could help Macedonia get a date for starting the EU accession talks.
Professor Ortakovski said that the interim agreement will be in force even after Athens and Skopje sign a memorandum of understanding.
According to some, there is no difference between the memorandum of understanding and the agreement on good neighborly relations.
Golden Dawn beat up Macedonian to death in Selanik October 1, 2012
Posted by Yilan in Macedonia, Yunanistan.Tags: Aleksandar Samardziev, Golden Dawn, Macedonia, Makedonya, Neo-Nazi, Selanik, Solun
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Aleksandar Samardziev, an ethnic Macedonian student who was attacked in Solun by members of the Greek political neo Nazi group Golden Dawn has died from his injuries, several Macedonian newspapers reported this evening.
According to Samardziev’s family, their son was attacked for refusing to change his last name to a more “Greek” sounding name. According to the information coming out of Greece, Samardziev received multiple fractures when he came under attack by more than six Golden Dawn members. He died several hours after being hospitalized.
Aleksandar’s brother afraid that he may receive similar faith has left his home and is in hiding.
Stiljan Samardziev, Aleksandar’s cousin who first reported the incident, was jailed in early August for a week after he placed the Macedonian flag at a police station in Solun. Stiljan was jailed a second time at the end of August after announcing on Facebook he would wave the Macedonian flag during an anti Macedonian gathering in Solun.
The Samardziev family isn’t able to get any help from the Greek police who not just did not take interest in the case, but told the family it would be better for their own safety to say their son was attacked by ‘unknown’ people and not by members of Golden Dawn, a Greek political party with seats in Parliament.
Alexander the Great statue April 25, 2011
Posted by Yilan in Human rights abuses.Tags: Alexander the great statue, Isk, Macedonia, Makedonya, Skopje
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Greek winemaker sworn in as Selanik/Solun mayor January 16, 2011
Posted by Yilan in Macedonia, Yunanistan.Tags: Macedonia, Makedonya, Selanik, Solun, Yiannis Boutaris
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Veteran winemaker Yiannis Boutaris has been sworn in as mayor of the Greek city of Selanik – the country’s first socialist-backed mayor in 24 years.
Boutaris assumed mayoral duties of Greece’s economically-troubled second-largest city on 1 January 2011.
The 69-year-old, a native of Thessaloniki, founded northern Greece’s Kir-Yianni winery in 1997 after leaving the family’s Boutari winery as a result of a split with his brother.
Boutaris was named a ‘European Hero’ by Time magazine in 2003 for his contributions to Greek society, establishing the Arcturos ecological organisation and later helping to found Greece’s Drasi political party.
Shortly after winning the mayoral election he announced plans to build a monument to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s Young Turks movement, a controversial initiative in a country accustomed to tensions with its eastern neighbour.
‘Despite the crisis we are strong and we have much to gain and very little to lose by opening up to the other people that surround us,’ Boutaris said, adding that he also intends to build a memorial to the city’s Jewish martyrs of World War 2, on the same square which gave birth to the Turkish Revolution.
Bouaris retains an interest in Kir-Yianni’s Naoussa and Amyndeo operations but has not been involved in its daily management since turning over responsibility to his elder son Stelios several years ago.
‘My guests at municipal functions might as well forget about enjoying Kir-Yianni,’ he joked.
May 17, 2010
Posted by Yilan in Macedonia.Tags: 9 year old genius, Engineer, Macedonia, Makedonya, Marco Calasan, Microsoft
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Marco Calasan: 9-year-old computer genius
Skopje, Macedonia (CNN) — A colorful mural runs along the outside the Blaze Koneski public school in Macedonia, but it’s been vandalized by graffiti artists who spray their tags all over the school.
There are metal bars on the windows and the building itself is run down and dilapidated. We are here to interview a ‘child prodigy’ for CNN’s I-List Macedonia.
Marco Calasan is the youngest Microsoft systems engineer in the world, holds four Microsoft certificates and has written a 312-page book on Microsoft’s Windows 7.
As we enter the classroom a young boy with a warm smile and dark, curly shoulder length hair pulled back in a ponytail, extends his hand and introduces himself.
Marco is just nine years old; he’s an only child and a computer genius. He takes us on a tour of the school computer lab, as if it were his home. Marco only lives across the road but spends endless hours in here working away each day, well and truly after the school bell has rung.
Asked why he loves computers so much, Marco responds sagely that, “with knowledge, everything is possible.” He goes on to give a detailed explanation of IPTV – the content delivery network system that he set up all by himself.
With his sweet, innocent voice, Marco explains how he streams high quality video throughout Macedonia and even provides a service for the country’s disabled.
Throughout the conversation, the word “Microsoft” peppers every single sentence and it becomes clear this child is obsessed with Bill Gates’ creation.
And while you’d think his impressive resume at such a young age would give him the right to be precocious, Marco is the complete opposite.
He’s humble, friendly and so very patient as I ask him to repeat and re-explain the computer jargon that flies over my head.
I ask whether he sees himself as special and gifted. He tells me he’s just a regular kid, and forgets that he has all this knowledge in his head when he plays with his friends.
But Marco is anything but normal. He speaks three languages and is learning a fourth and while English is not his mother tongue, his command of the language and vocabulary is mind-boggling. In finite detail he explains the ins and outs of computers and the curriculum he’s teaching his peers and adults. He even educates his own teachers.
Later this month he’s going to Montenegro where the government has asked him to give a presentation on his IPTV system.
Marco’s brain function is quite extraordinary. Professor Elena Achkovska-Leshkovska at the Institute of Psychology in Skopje tested Marco when he was seven years old. She found that his brain operated the same as a child over the age of 12. But just as fascinating was his high level of emotional and social skills. Something not normally found in such gifted children.
As Marco chats away with the crew, his mother Radica stands proudly in the background. With her jet back hair, slender figure and smiling face, this pretty young mum watches as her son dazzles the room.
Their bond is exceptionally close as they describe each other as best friends. Radica works seven days a week running a computer business to make ends meet and every cent she earns goes straight to Marco and furthering his education.
Last month Radica had a health scare when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She spent a week in hospital having the tumor removed and when she got home, Marco had printed off more than 200 pages of information on breast cancer treatments, and what his mom should eat to make a full recovery.
Doctors have told Radica she must undergo chemotherapy but she’s reluctant to do so because she’s concerned she won’t be able to care for her little boy. Her other concern is Marco’s future. She knows he needs opportunities and an education system that exists only in expensive overseas schools. Something she cannot afford.
Despite the obstacles and challenges that await them both, a sense of calm and optimism surrounds this little boy and his mother. They walk us out of the school and watch us leave, Radica with her arm lovingly around her gifted son.
Turkey & Macedonia 