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PHOTOS: Snowing in Macedonia

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Tunisian company to build factory near Kavadarci

Tunisian company, partner of Germany's Dräxlmaier, intends to build a plant in Kavadarci, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski told reporters on Sunday.

"The company representatives have already visited Macedonia and according to their statements thus far it is certain that the Tunisian company will come to the country to manufacture certain parts for Dräxlmaier", Gruevski said during his visit to Kavadarci region.

The PM said he couldn't reveal the company's name yet.

"The Tunisians are Dräxlmaier's business partners, and open own factories wherever Dräxlmaier does in favor of reducing the transportation costs," Gruevski said.

He also announced that a UAE investor would built a fruit distribution center in Resen.

This center will give momentum to the agriculture in Prespa region, bolstering the export of apples and other fruits, especially in the Middle-East countries, the PM said. 

Matka Divers find church foundations

Divers of speleo-diving club "Vrelo" and diving club "Akvatek" found Sunday remains of foundations, believed to be of an old Macedonian church, during their underwater expedition in the waters of lake Matka near Skopje.

The campaign aimed at researching and documenting the lake bottom structure.

"Prior to the construction of the Matka dam, the so-called Road of Strength was located here, which linked Macedonia's northeast with the southwest. We wanted to locate, research and map all archaeological sites, which are now under water", said Vrelo president Kiro Angeleski.

The campaign was also environmental, with divers mapping waste locations that are set to be cleaned.

The campaign is part the 2013 global programme GUWAA (Global Under Water Awareness Association).

Macedonian Airports hit record passanger traffic

According to the statistical data by the operator TAV Macedonia, the number of transported passengers via both Macedonian airports in October increased by 37.6 percent compared to the same month last year, marking the highest monthly growth thus far.

A total of 88.992 passengers flew via Skopje Alexander the Great Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport, TAV Macedonia says.

The number of flights has gone up for 15.1 percent, while the cargo services increased for 4.9 percent in comparison to October 2012.

Istanbul has been the most popular destination in January-October 2013, followed by Vienna, Zurich, London and Malmo.

Lonely Planet puts Macedonia in top 10 countries to visit for 2014

Populat tourist guide Lonely Planet has put Macedonia as the in the top best countries to visit for 2014. It's #9 to be precise, while the top spot went to Brazil.

In its guide, Lonely Planet describes the Macedonian capital as becoming increasingly visitor-friendly, with a bevy of cool new hostels, upscale wine bars and bistros, and one of southeastern Europe’s best club scenes.

Beyond Skopje and the more established tourist sites such as Lake Ohrid, Mavrovo ski area and ancient Stobi, new things are happening elsewhere. Quiet Berovo, near the border with Bulgaria, is an up-and-coming contender on the spa-hotel scene.

- Also in Macedonia’s idyllic eastern half, sturdy old Kratovo – with Ottoman-era stone bridges and cobblestone lanes – is revitalising previously derelict Turkish mansions, attesting the bygone wealth of this old mining town. And in the arid central vineyard region of Tikveš, new quality wineries are catering to thirsty visitors - concludes Lonely Planet.

Archeological excavations at Crkviste site continue

Excavations at the archaeological site of Crkviste in the Kumanovo village of Klecovce will resume with financial support still being provided by the Ministry of Culture, it was announced on Wednesday.

"For us it is crucial the site to be discovered, restored and put into function as a cultural tourism attraction. One of the main priorities of the ministry and the government in general is the preservation of cultural heritage at archaeological sites. The ministry through its annual programme singles out funds for excavations across the country," stated Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska.

She announced that more finances would be set aside for excavations at Crkviste next year.

The archaeological site of Crkviste - one of the oldest buildings unearthed in Macedonia - is a large church complex with 35 meters of length and 13 meters of width. It is located in the vicinity of Kokino. 

Jinping-Ivanov: China prepared to give Macedonia a hand

People's Republic of China and the Republic of Macedonia have achieved the highest level of bilateral relations, agreed countries' Presidents Xi Jinping and Gjorge Ivanov on Tuesday, MIA reports from Beijing.

"Our political relations have intensified over the past two decades, which is seen by the high-level meetings, progress and mutual cooperation in diverse areas. China is prepared to give Macedonia a hand towards accelerated development of bilateral relations", said Chinese President Jinping at the meeting.

He announced cooperation with Macedonia in construction and infrastructure projects, agriculture and other sectors - education, culture, Chinese traditional medicine - thus stimulating swift development of bilateral relations.

President Ivanov also stressed that bilateral relations have reached the highest level thus far.

Interlocutors referred to the cooperation established over the past 20 years of diplomatic ties, multilateral support in global terms, bilateral support in international organizations, economic cooperation etc.

"We agreed that political cooperation has intensified to the highest level through meetings between Presidents, PMs, Parliament Speakers", said Ivanov.

Pertaining to economic cooperation, the presidents stressed it has intensified over the years, resulting in the lowering of the trade deficit.

"We showed interest for increased presence of Macedonian products at the Chinese market. In this context, we mentioned the initiative put forward by the Chinese PM over the opening of a free zone for Chinese companies in Macedonia", added Ivanov.

He also referred to the US$10 billion pool that China has allocated for infrastructure projects in Central nd Eastern Europe.

"Macedonia is the first country to finalize its project. Following an approval by the Parliament, Macedonia will be able to use the funds for the construction of motorways Miladinovci-Stip and Ohrid-Kicevo", said Ivanov.

Interlocutors also tackled the initiative over the use of Chinese traditional medicine in Macedonia's health system.

On Wednesday, President Ivanov will attend the opening of the 14. Western China International Fair in Chengdu, where he is set to deliver an address titled "Balanced Development and Common Prosperity".

Kromberg & Schubert plant opens

Plant of German company Kromberg & Schubert opened in Bitola industrial zone Zabeni on Friday. The investment is estimated at EUR 20 million, opening 2,500 jobs.

The plant opens after a one-year construction and training of employees. It is comprised of four operational units - cables, networks, plastic technology and mechatronics.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said the Government has done everything to develop the Zabeni industrial zone, in order to meet the investor's requirements and needs.

"The result of these activities was positive, since the company confirmed its interest in the competition of many countries, selecting Macedonia as the destination of their investment, worth over EUR 20 million", said PM Gruevski.

According to him, the significance and benefits from the entry of "Kromberg and Schubert" in Macedonia are indisputable, since the company secures new jobs and contributes to increase of exports.

"The entire Pelagonija region has already felt the benefits from this factory. There have been numerous job ads, with more than 800 people already employed in the plant. Another 200 jobs are to open by the year-end, another 1,000 in 2014, and gradually up to 2,500 by the end of 2015", added Gruevski.

He added the company would contribute to Macedonia's global exports.

"The cooperation with Kromberg & Schubert represents a foundation for further strengthening of economic and political relations with Germany, which is one of Macedonia's most significant partners. The company is well-respected at the world market, which is excellent for our country in being perceived as a favorable and attractive business destination. That is why I believe the presence of Kromberg & Schubert will draw other similar companies to invest in Macedonia", underlined PM Gruevski.

Kromberg & Schubert" is a German family firm with a 100-year-long history. With over thousands of employees around the world, the firm produces hi-tech products, such as  on-board networks, cables, plastic technology and mechatronics.

32nd Skopje Jazz Festival kicks off

The 32nd Skopje Jazz Festival kicks off on Thursday evening with performances by the British-Slovenian duo Evan Parker and Zlatko Kaucic and the UK band 'Get The Blessing".

The festival, which runs till Oct. 21, offers current and renowned acts from the global jazz scene, its director Oliver Belopeta told a press conference on Tuesday.

The opening day is dedicated to British jazz as a way to mark 20 years of friendship between Macedonia and the UK. One of the most prominent jazz musicians in the world, saxophonist Evan Parker will perform in Macedonia for the first time together with Slovenian improviser Zlatko Kaucic. The second act of the evening is Get The Blessing, lauded as one of UK's best live bands.

Sidsel Endresen and Stian Westerhus from Norway and The Abercrombie Quartet from the United States are slated to perform on Friday.

The Balkan premiere of the project "Balkan Fever", presenting Vlatko Stefanovski, Miroslav Tadic and Theodosii Spassov at a concert together with the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, will take place on Saturday.

Jazz icon Roscoe Mitchell and his trio and legendary jazz singer Cassandra Wilson with Harriet Tubman music collective are scheduled to perform on Sunday.

The festival's final day is reserved for the Paris-based Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf and one of the jazz’s greatest bass players Dave Holland.

Macedonians in Albania urge opening of Consulate in Korca

Representatives of Macedonians in Albania urged President Gjorge Ivanov at Thursday's meeting in Pogradec over the opening of a Macedonian consulate in Korca.

"We ask that the Korca consulate has the required administration, so that we are not forced to travel to Tirana for embassy services", says Vasil Sterjovski, secretary-general of the Macedonian Alliance for European Integration.

According to him, a Macedonian consulate in Korca is of exceptional significance, since it is the administrative city of the namesake municipality, including a population of 220,000.

"Korca also includes areas populated by Macedonians. This consulate will maintain closer contacts with the Macedonian people in the region, who are severely hit by the Greek and Bulgarian propaganda", adds Sterjovski.

According to him, there is a Greek consulate in Korca, although there are no Greeks in the area.

"This consulate is working on the assimilation of Vlachs, Albanians, Roma, and Macedonians", stresses Sterjovski.

Gruevski congratulates citizens October 11, People's Uprising day

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski extended Thursday greetings on October 11 - People's Uprising Day.

"This day symbolizes the people's struggle for freedom, which put an end to the fascist occupation, a day symbolizing the great victory based on the values of freedom and human dignity", says PM Gruevski.

The struggle put Macedonia on the victorious side - the grand coalition of European countries fighting for peace, freedom, democracy and respect of human rights.

"By celebrating this day and remembering the victims, we bow before the altar of all fallen fighters for free and independent Macedonia, resuming our efforts to create new deeds and values", says Gruevski.

He adds that October 11 pays homage to a glorious part of the country's history, which gives inspiration for success, perseverance and personal sacrifice towards the progress and development of modern Macedonia.

Macedonians to wake up with freezing temperatures

Due to cold front across the country, Macedonia will wake up on Friday and this weekend seeing temperatures beloe zero degrees.

Morning temperatures will drop to -3 to 5, reaching up to 10 degrees during the day.

Sar Mountain has already seen its first snow which usually is a precursor for longer, colder winter.

Traditional rice harvesting begins in Kocani

The 22nd international manifestation "Days of Kocani Rice" resumed Sunday by traditional rice harvesting, presentation of agricultural machinery, home handicraft products and food prepared from rice. Agriculture Minister Ljupco Dimovski attended the event, who said that rice production in Macedonia has long tradition.

It is very important since it satisfies the needs of home market, it is export-oriented and engages numerous labour force for its production. Rice production notes increase in areas and quantities from 2008 to 2013 by 80% and in produced rice by 50%, Dimovski said.

This year rice producers will receive subsidies for a hectare of planted area from the programme for financial support in agriculture, Dimovski said. In regard to the cooperation with the Turkish International Co-operation Agency (TIKA), Dimovski said that project is being worked on for development of rice production which plans to promote highly productive types of rice.

Macedonia and Czech Republic sign Economic Cooperation Agreement

Macedonia and the Czech Republic signed Wednesday a protocol defining the guidelines of the countries' economic and trade relations as part of the first-ever two-day session of the mixed committee for bilateral economic cooperation.

Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Milan Hovorka and Macedonia's Deputy Economy Minister Hristijan Delev signed the document and also served as co-chairs of the session, MIA reports from Prague.

At a meeting, they reviewed the potentials of the countries' economies and discussed future agreements for cooperation that are of mutual interest.

The joint committee comes as a result of the agreement on economic and industrial cooperation between the Macedonian and Czech governments signed in 2010.

"We are aware that we need to create an environment in which an economic cooperation will be enabled. Our objective is to establish a framework in which Czech and Macedonian companies will function as partners," Deputy Minister Hovorka told local media.

Underscoring his country's support for Macedonia's EU integration bid, the Czech Minister said the mixed committee discussed ways for providing assistance considering the fact that the Czech Republic was an EU member.

"The Czech Republic wants concrete cooperation with Macedonia in areas in which our EU integration experience would be of mutual interest, because sooner or later nothing will stand in the way between Macedonian manufacturers and their competitors in the Union," Hovorka stressed.

The Czech official added that huge potentials for cooperation existed in the field of energy, renewable resources, automotive industry, environment and agriculture.

During his visit to Prague, Deputy Minister Delev met with businessmen to promote Macedonia's investment opportunities.

The Macedonian delegation also paid a visit to the Czech automotive industry "Skoda" to meet with the company's management.

Mavrovo Church among World's most beautiful abandoned churches

The abandoned church at the Mavrovo Lake heads the list of the most beautiful abandoned churches in the world, compiled by U.S. website "Huffington Post".

In the article titled "Abandoned Churches are Eerily Beautiful", there are photos from such churches from the United States, Belgium, Cambodia, France and Ireland.

"Though churches are normally places where people gather for spiritual fellowship, confession, or for quiet contemplation, these sacred spaces have been abandoned to the elements, their naves and pews standing silent and empty. Nonetheless, they still have a haunting beauty which comes through in these awesome photos", reads the comment.

Macedonia - Kosovo flow of goods normalized

Economy Minister Valon Saraqini and Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski paid a visit early Sunday to Blace border crossing to see first-hand if the free flow of goods, services and people between Macedonia and Kosovo has been reestablished.

Kosovo has ended the embargo for Macedonian products, prompting the removal of the entry fee for Kosovo citizens, as well as the truck blockades of "Makamtrans" at Jazince and Blace border crossings.

"I am pleased to say that misunderstandings between Kosovo and Macedonia have been overcome. This means that flow of goods, services and movement of people from both countries is ongoing without any restrictions. My top priority was finding a solution and overcoming of the situation, and this has been achieved as a result of the efforts by the countries' governments", said Minister Saraqini after the visit.

According to him, Kosovo and Macedonia are significant partners and it is in the interest of both countries to strengthen political and economic relations.

Number of passangers at Macedonia's airports continues to rise

The number of passengers passing through the two Macedonian airports in August increased by 20.5% compared to the same month last year, new figures show released by TAV Macedonia - the operator of the Skopje-based "Alexander the Great" airport and "St. Paul the Apostle" airport in Ohrid.

The Skopje airport handled 115,023 passengers, up 23.1%, while the Ohrid airport was used by 16,463 passengers i.e. 131,486 passed through the two airports.

In the first eight months of 2013, compared to the same period last year, an increase in the number of passengers was recorded - a total of 732,831 people, up 17.5%. There has been also a rise in the number of flights. 8,489 operations of aircrafts were realized between January and August, which is a 9.9% increase compared to the same period in 2012. A significant increase of 16.2% was registered in August in comparison to the same month last year.

This increase comes as a result of introducing several additional flights per week by Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines and Fly Dubai. During the summer season, flight were being realized weekly to popular tourist destinations, such as Antalya and Izmir and Sicily.

Istanbul followed by Vienna, London and Malmo were the most popular destinations from the Skopje airport in August, stated the press release. Istanbul, Vienna, Zurich, London and Ljubljana were the top five destinations between January and August. Most of the passengers traveled with Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Adria Airways and Pegasus Airlines.

Macedonia and UNMIK-Kosovo protectorate entering into an open trade war

Brussels reacts over the Macedonian-Kosovo dispute after the newly-formed Balkan country has reached a decision to ban the import of certain products from Macedonia, MIA reports from Brussels.

On Monday, the European Commission urged the parties involved in the dispute - which is turning into an embargo for Macedonian products in Kosovo as Macedonia is introducing fees for all Kosovo citizens entering the country - to abide by the obligations stemming from the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

"We aim to clarify the measures reported recently and we expect the parties to abide by their obligations stemming from the Central European Free Trade Agreement," EC spokesman Peter Stano told media.

In July, Macedonia imposed a measure to limit the import of wheat and flour from all members of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), including Kosovo, in an effort to protect domestic production.

The spokesman declined to say whether the EU would make any direct attempts in order to settle the trade dispute between Macedonia and Kosovo.

MINA's sources in Prishtina say the trade embargo in Kosovo is unfluenced by drug lord Moni Karliu who is known as a major wheat producer in NATO's protectorate.  He is also known as one of the biggest drug dealers in the Balkans and has most of Kosovo's parliament members on his payroll. Unhappy with Macedonian measure to limit wheat imports into the country, Karliu pressured the Kosovo government to impose counter measures. Similar thing happened between Kosovo and Albania few years ago.

This morning chaos on the Macedonian Kosovo border as Kosovo put the ramp on all Macedonian trucks entering the protectorate. 

The Macedonian Government is looking at imposing visas on Kosovo residents as a counter measure.

Traditional climbing to Mt. Golem Korab - on the independence day of Macedonia

More photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152164996249018.1073741828.38395344017&type=1