Macedonia and the European Union

[Soldier of Macedon]

http://www.mia.com.mk/default.aspx?vId=66370871&lId=2

Skopje, July 23 (MIA) - There are real chances for Macedonia to meet the benchmarks and get a date for opening of the European Union (EU) accession talks this fall , EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said Thursday at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski.

- However, it will depend on the results that are going to be delivered in the next two months, Rehn said.

The EU will play fair, which means no altering of the criteria for opening of the EU accession talks, Rehn said.

- I am impressed by the quality and speed of the conducted reforms for annulment of the EU visa requirements. It is a confirmation of the commitment, political will of the Government, Parliament and state institutions to achieving the desired goal, Rehn said, pointing out that the list of criteria that Macedonia should meet is becoming shorter.

The remaining tasks Macedonia should complete in order to enter the next phase of the EU integration process include an adoption of law on parliament, changes to the laws on public administration and financing of political parties. The EU enlargement chief also underlined the importance of implementing the Ohrid Framework Agreement.

The name dispute is a bilateral matter, not part of the criteria for opening of the EU entry talks, Rehn said. However the practical start of these negotiations requires the consent of all EU members, he added.

The EU is welcoming the resumed efforts of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz towards settling the name row, Rehn said.

There are many opportunities that should be exploited for final settling of this matter, he added.

Gruevski reiterated the Government's commitment to meet all benchmarks, saying that in the upcoming period it would be focused on all activities that should result in a positive European Commission report on the country's progress and hence to launching of the membership talks. The EC recommendation for annulment of visa regime is an additional boost to this effect, the PM said.

This afternoon, Rehn is scheduled to meet Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski and members of the National EU-Integration Council. He also had a meeting with President Gjorge Ivanov.

Rehn's visit to Skopje is part of his Western Balkan tour. He visited Belgrade and Podgorica on Wednesday and would head for Sarajevo on Friday.

So the name dispute is a bilateral matter, which effectively means that it should not effect Macedonia's chances of gaining entry to the EU. However, because Greece is already in the EU, it is using its veto power as a member to realise aims that are a bilateral matter with Macedonia that does not conern the EU.

Clearly this is wrong, immoral and criminal.

Yet, the European Union turns a blind eye.

[Risto the Great]

You know what ... for the benefit of future (continued) fame ... I will now predict that Macedonia will cause the downfall of the EU. If the EU maintains this level of hypocrisy then surely it cannot maintain itself as an organisation of significance.

[Soldier of Macedon]

The Balkans including Macedonia have always been a power-keg in Europe, anything is possible.

[King Makedon]

There are pro and contras

pro: all garbage scum of macedonia will leave to EU.
contra:new garbage will arrive.

[Risto the Great]

http://www.balkantravellers.com/en/read/article/1368

Macedonia Hints at Visas for Kosovo and Albania


Text by Balkan Insight

27 July 2009 | Macedonia will follow directions given by the European Commission, EC, in deciding whether to establish a visa regime for citizens of Kosovo and Albania.

According to Macedonia’s Foreign Ministry, this issue has yet to be discussed. Until now, citizens of Albania and Kosovo have travelled freely into Macedonia.

“It is early to discuss this issue. Until the final decision for visa liberalisation [is made], we will be in constant contact with the EC,” ministry Spokesperson Petar Culev said.

Culev said that the Macedonian government will not act unilaterally in determining future policy on the issue.

“This will depend on recommendations given by the EU. If they require us to establish a visa regime with citizens of Albania and Kosovo, then we will respect this decision,” he said.

However an expert on EU integration, Mersel Bilalli, warned that Macedonia should not take such a decision.

“Nothing should change as far as the free movement of citizens of Albania and Kosovo is concerned. But if they want to travel to other European countries, they should possess a valid visa for the country they are visiting,” Bilalli told daily Koha Ditore.

This issue was brought onto the table by the recent EC proposal that Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro be included on the so-called “white Schengen list”.

I hope this happens.

[Soldier of Macedon]

So do I, the only people that don't want this to happen is the Albanians. Why on earth are they allowed to travel freely from their countries into ours in the first place? Albania and Kosovo should be treated no different than our other neighbours.

[King Makedon]

we all know why they all took BG passports. for surviving their business, for a cheap car and for travelling. Now the governement has to change the law for importing used cars from EU so it will be as cheap as in bulgaria. Then they won't need the BG passport anymore. exept criminals.

[Soldier of Macedon]

So much for the forced declaration of 'Bulgarian' origins. The way our Tatar-loving cousins to the east have went about 'assimilating' non-Bulgar populations has to be one of the most comedic in all the Balkans.

[Pelister]

Originally Posted by Risto the Great

You know what ... for the benefit of future (continued) fame ... I will now predict that Macedonia will cause the downfall of the EU. If the EU maintains this level of hypocrisy then surely it cannot maintain itself as an organisation of significance.

If the Macedonians can hold it together - and back some pretty simple principles, such as ASK their soveriegn rights and right to self determination be respected.

It could, at the same time, point to the fact that the E.U has been violating the principles of its own charter. It is that simple.

You can't hold a country and a people hostage - for being democratic, accepting human rights, and complying to every international law and treaty - but they can hold the Macedonians hostage, can't they? It is time the Maks woke up.

The E.U has to change.

[Soldier of Macedon]

You're right Pelister, it is the EU that has to change its ways and show some consistency in action, not just words. This hole of an organisation continually turns a blind eye to blatant human rights abuses, and now it wants to abuse our human right to self-identify as Macedonians and dishonour the memory of our ancestors who spilled their blood for the liberty of the Macedonian, our language and our land? Never.

The Macedonians across the world have already decided their own fate, there is no other option but to hold strong and defend our identity as a people from all these vultures that are trying to encroach upon us. This is an artificial dispute created by the modern Greeks, to nobody else is this a problem. We will win this, there is no other option, we will win, and then we will repay the modern Greeks for their hospitality during our emergence as a nation in the modern era. We will not allow our history to be erased by a group of modern Greeks who spoke Albanian and called themselves Romans until some Anglo-Germanic 'enlighteners' taught them who they 'really' are.

The development of our nation comes by natural evolution of the people, modern Greeks needed a state first to create a nation, our people didn't. Modern Greeks needed foreigners to teach them about their (false) history, our people didn't. We will win, and they will pay. Time.