Latest News & Developments

[Bill77]

EU postpones Macedonia debate until Tuesday

The European Union foreign ministers will resume Tuesday their debate on the European Commission's recommendation for opening of Macedonia's EU accession talks, it was reported.

The delay comes after several-hours of unsuccessful attempts of the ministers to coordinate their opinions about the draft-statement, proposed by the Swedish Presidency.

The draft calls for deferring a decision on opening membership talks with Macedonia until at least March 2010.

- The Council will revert to the matter in March 2010 with a view to setting a date for the opening of accession negotiations. It also says that the Council notes the Commission's recommendation for the opening of accession negotiations with Macedonia.

The Council stresses that the reform agenda must be continued, it reads.

Greece is against setting of any time frame for opening of Macedonia's EU entry talks prior to resolving of the name dispute.

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen acknowledged that Greece, which is in dispute with Macedonia over the country's name, could be a stumbling block. However, he expressed hope that probably already today the Council could decide in favour of launching Macedonia's accession negotiations.

- It depends quite a lot on Greece ... (but) from the Commission side they are ready to start negotiations, he added.

Athens had used its membership effectively in the EU when it blackmailed the EU with accepting the divided island of Cyprus in order not to veto 7 new members from the Eastern block.


The draft EU foreign ministers' statement referred to the name issue and called on Macedonia to be a "good neighbour".

- Maintaining good neighbourly relations, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, remains essential, it says.

- The Council is encouraged by recent positive developments concerning the relation between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the statement reads.

If EU foreign ministers fail to agree on the matter today, there is a possibility for the final decision on setting a date for Macedonia's EU entry talks to be on the agenda of the EU Summit, scheduled for December 10-11.


http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/10562/45/

[Bill77]

Quote: Athens had used its membership effectively in the EU when it blackmailed the EU with accepting the divided island of Cyprus in order not to veto 7 new members from the Eastern block.


When oh When are the EU going to say Enough is Enough to the spoiled little Brat. What a Mickey Mouse Club.

[Bill77]

Speeking of spoiled little Brat, i find this cartoon apropriate.

A Cartoon of world powers policing Greece.

Mabe EU can take something out of it.

[Bill77]

PM Gruevski: Events unfolded as expected


The events at the EU Council in Brussels were expected at great extent because Greece announced several times to block Macedonia if it does not give up our identity and our name and does not accept their conditions.

Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski assessed this on Tuesday at the press conference in Brussels after EU Council deferred a decision on opening membership talks with Macedonia during the Spanish EU presidency for the first half of 2010.

- We are very surprised but this time it was made on more sophisticated manner than in Bucharest Summit, although the possibility to debate the name issue in the next six months leaves hope that something will move in this direction, PM Gruevski said.

According to Gruevski it is obvious that Greece did not want an agreement to be reached.

- They wanted to show arguments of power and this is not a surprise. But now we cannot change anything. We have accomplished what depended from us. We are now facing 18 years old problem and the government that is not ready to come to a solution, Gruevski said.

He announced that Macedonia will continue with efforts to approach towards the EU and to find solution to name dispute. – We will continue also with internal reforms and all matters needed for Euro-Atlantic integration. But this is situation that does not depend only from us. We have fulfilled the benchmarks now there are things that do not only depend from us. Greece obviously requests things from us that no one in the world is requesting from no one, Gruevski said, adding that Macedonian side is ready to meet the Greek side but this depends from them.

Commenting the positions that Macedonia missed historical chance, Gruevski said that for him this chance was giving up the name, language and identity. – All those who criticised that we have missed the historical chance, I am answering that this chance is erasing itself from the map of nations and erasing own identity, Gruevski said.

He thanked the Chairman of the EU Council Carl Bildt who made great efforts. He said that there was support from many states – I am satisfied that Swedish EU Presidency made great efforts even greater than we expected, Gruevski said.

Today’s outcome in Brussels can be defined as new Greek hypocrisy, because as country which allegedly urges all Western Balkans to join EU as soon as possible, at the first opportunity instead of giving chance to our country to start EU accession talks, it blocks it, FM Antonio Milososki said presenting official position of the Macedonian government after EU Council deferred a decision on opening membership talks with Macedonia, after Greece opposed an early start to the negotiations.

Milososki said that blocking will not only harm the EU image but will additionally violate the reputation of the EU integration process. He thanked the Swedish EU Presidency and numerous EU member states that supported considering the issue in March 2010, with a view to setting a date for the opening of accession negotiations.

- This shows that all other member states appreciate our progress, valorize it seriously and this will be our motivation to resume the reforms and to be successful in finding ways in fulfilling our ambitions on legitimate, real and achievable way, Milososki said in the Macedonian Parliament.

Milososki said that blockades from official Athens regarding deserved opening of membership talks will not contribute in improvement of atmosphere in bilateral talks in name dispute, but at the same time Macedonia will continue here which considered constructive contribution aimed at moving forward. - However, I’m pointing out that blockades will not bring advantage; Athens blockades will not change our minds to continue to represent and to defend our constitutional norms and our national, lingual and Macedonian identity. It is European value and it would be contradictory if a member state expects with its abuse of membership to disable a small peaceful nation to clearly express and to promote its national and state identity, Milososki said.

A statement agreed by EU foreign ministers in Brussels today said they would consider the issue again during the Spanish EU presidency in the first half of 2010.

The European Union has deferred decision on opening membership talks with Macedonia for next year, EU Enlargement Commission Olli Rehn said after EU Council meeting ends in Brussels.

- The EU council notes that the commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Macedonia and will return to the matter during the Spanish EU Presidency, starting from Jan. 1, 2010, Rehn said at the press conference.

EU foreign ministers in Brussels after two-day debate said Tuesday they would consider the issue again during the Spanish EU Presidency, which runs from 1 January until 30 June 2010, media reports from Brussels.

Although many EU member states backed setting a date for start of membership talks, still it is postponed due to Greece opposing and insisting on previously resolving the name issue. This will only further complicate things in 2010.

http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/10606/45/

[Bill77]

I tosed and turned and could not decide if i should post this here or the comedy section. hmmmmm i will post here evan though its ridiculously funny.


Greek Media creates a Phone call

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou telephoned late Tuesday Macedonian counterpart Nikola Gruevski, following the EU Council decision for postponement in determining a date for beginning of Macedonia's Union accession negotiations due to Greece's opposition, reported Greek news portal "InNews". Other Greek media outlets followed up on this 'news'.

There is no information on the content of the telephone conversation, which Greek Deputy-Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas announced at a press conference in Brussels, saying that Papandreou would explain to Gruevski the reasons for the fresh Greek blockade, "confirming Athens' readiness for enhancement of bilateral cooperation" - claims Greek media.

No phone call.

The cabine of the Macedonian Prime Minister informed MINA as well as other Macedonian media that no such phone call occurred between the two prime ministers.

Greek media as well as politicians are known for their 'free' hand in announcing and creating news out of thin air. The most recent example being with the visit (that didn't happen) of Turkish PM Erdogan to Athens.
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/10700/46/




Are our neighbours for real?

[Bill77]

Originally Posted by Bill77

Greek media as well as politicians are known for their 'free' hand in announcing and creating news out of thin air. The most recent example being with the visit (that didn't happen) of Turkish PM Erdogan to Athens.
http://macedoniaonline.eu/content/view/10700/46/

visit (that didn't happen) of Turkish PM Erdogan to Athens.


Greek Media reports on Meeting that didn't take place

Popular Greek papers To Vima and Ethnos wrote up an article of a meeting between Greek PM Kostas Karamanlis and Turkish PM Rexhep Taip Erdogan. The articles appeared in both papers' Sunday edition.

Small problem. The meeting between Erdogan and Karamanlis never took place because the Turkish PM had cancelled his visit several days before the scheduled meeting (Saturday) due to health issues.

To Vima and Ethnos didn't appear to have been told the Turkish PM had cancelled his visit to Athens.

Greek readers are informed that Erdogan appeared at Athens airport accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Minister for EU Integration. The Turkish PM had also arrived with 5 armed bodyguards.

To Vima and Ethnos continued with their 'report' that the meeting had lasted for one hour, in very tense atmosphere. The papers give even quotes from the meeting, explaining the Turkish PM had been upset over the fact that his country has been pin pointed as the main problem for illegal immigration into the EU.

To Vima and Ethnos are known for their critical view of Turkey, though this fake report may hit a sour note in Ankara.

[Bill77]

Greece admits: We are Riddled with Corruption


Sunday, 13 December 2009
George Papandreou, Greece’s prime minister, acknowledge to his fellow European Union leaders that the Greek public sector was riddled with corruption.

At an EU summit last night, The bloc’s 26 other national leaders sat in silence as Mr Papandreou delivered a short, blunt speech that said everything the rest of Europe had long known, or suspected, about Greek bureaucracy.

Greece is in the throes of the most serious fiscal emergency to strike the eurozone since the single currency’s launch in 1999. Mr Papandreou’s baring of the national soul capped a tumultuous week in which Greece’s creditworthiness was downgraded, its stock market plunged, the interest rate on its debt soared and even its survival in the eurozone was questioned.

José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president, praised Mr Papandreou’s determination to address the Greek economy’s problems, such as low business competitiveness and a public debt poised to rise far above the nation’s annual economic output.

“He recognised that there was a huge problem of corruption throughout the administration, including in public procurement,” Mr Barroso said.

“He spoke of a reduction in the levels of administration. Whereas there are four or five now, from regional to local level, he promised to suppress two of them, because they are expensive.”




Delegates at the EU summitsaid there had been little discussion of the Greek premier’s presentation, and most leaders – especially those of the 15 countries that share the euro with Greece – wanted to see more action and fewer words from Athens.
Jean-Claude Trichet, the European Central Bank president, told the European parliament’s monetary affairs committee on Monday that Greece’s troubles demanded “very difficult, very courageous but absolutely necessary measures”.

“Our basic problem is systemic corruption,” Mr Papandreou said in Brussels on Friday. “We intend to take harsh measures to root it out.”

However, he made it clear that Greece would not follow Ireland’s example and enforce drastic wage cuts.

“If we were at the edge of the abyss, we would cut wages in half. But we are not and we are fighting hard not to get there. We will protect wage-earners and pensioners.”

His unwillingness to specify cost-cutting measures disappointed market-watchers, aware that Greece is expected to record a budget deficit of more than 12 per cent of gross domestic product this year. Its public debt is projected at 113 per cent of GDP at best.

Mr Papandreou is expected on Monday to outline how he intends to slash the deficit to 3 per cent of GDP – under EU rules, the upper limit in normal economic times – over the next four years.

The underlying problem is, however, one of Greek credibility. Other eurozone countries were incensed in October when the newly elected socialist government announced that Greece’s public finances were far worse than previously claimed. The socialists blamed the misreporting on faulty statistics and the errors of the previous conservative government. Multiple Greek Government have been caught red handed fabricating economic statistics.

[makedonche]

Bill,
Excellent posts - it raises the question though - why would you let a corrupt, broke,blackmailing, bunch of racists have any influence on the EU or anywhere else for that matter!

[Bill77]

Originally Posted by makedonche

Bill,
Excellent posts - it raises the question though - why would you let a corrupt, broke,blackmailing, bunch of racists have any influence on the EU or anywhere else for that matter!

First thing that came to my mind when you asked this question was, How do you get rid of someone that owes you Money. Also by removing a club member would show that life is not all rosie being part of the EU. Its bad publicity.

[The LION will ROAR]

Vreme: Macedonia to use Greece’s last veto before the International Court of Justice?
13 December 2009 | 09:00 | FOCUS News Agency



Skopje. Macedonia will use the last veto imposed by Greece on the setting of data for the start of the EU accession talks as a key argument in the process against Athens, heard in the International Court of Justice, Macedonian Vreme newspaper writes. Macedonian lawyers would soon table written evidences in the Court Greece, counter to the Temporal Agreement, signed in 1995, impedes Macedonia from accessing the international organization, including under the name of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
In November 2008, Macedonia has opened a process against Greece as it has presented its arguments in July. Greece has to give its answer as of January 20, 2010 as the hearing should be opened by the middle of 2010. The attempt shows the process could last about 3 years, the edition reads.
http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n203247

http://www.vreme.com.mk/DesktopDefau...ticleID=128808