Macedonia's Culture Minister visits Heraklea

Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska, Bitola mayor Vladimir Taleski and the director of the Office for Cultural Heritage Protection, Viktor Lilcic visited Friday the archaeological site of Heraclea where numerous important artefacts have been discovered recently.

Heraclea, founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC, is part of the capital projects funded by the government due to its immense significance, the Ministry of Culture says in a press release.

This year's archaeological excavations in Heraclea, financed by the Culture Ministry, include a research of the new basilica from the early Christian period. Its size confirms the importance of this ancient city as a developed center in the early period of Christianity. A fully-preserved beautiful mosaic have been unearthed during the excavation process.

"These mosaics, which make Heraclea so famous, are an exciting discovery and are immensely significant in enriching Macedonia's archaeological science," she said.

Over 400 artefacts, many fragments of frescoes, ceramic bowls as well as coins have been found during excavations conducted this year.

Minister Kanceska-Milevska opens gift shop in Dojran

Skopje, 2 July 2012 (MIA) - Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska Monday will pay a working visit to Dojran.

During the visit, Kanceska-Milevska will open souvenir shop as part of Ministry of Culture project for opening 20 unified tourism-cultural points.

She will also visit "St. Prorok Ilija" monastery.

A gift shop was opened Monday in Gevgelija, which will be managed by the Museum of Gevgelija. The shop is one of the 20 facilities opened by the Ministry of Culture across Macedonia.

The gift shop, where tourists will be able to purchase replicas of artifacts of the rich cultural heritage of Macedonia, was opened by Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska.

"Dojran deserves such a facility, which is of great importance for all those who visit the town to learn about our cultural heritage and to bring with them a valuable souvenir or to get a tourist info brochure," Kanceska-Milevska stated.

The minister accompanied by Dojran mayor Gligor Cabulev also visited the church "St. Prophet Elijah". Built in 1848 by Macedonian leading constructors, it was destroyed in 1916 during a bombing of Dojran in the First World War.

Archaeological diggings, conservation and restoration activities are under way in order the church to be fully restored by 2016 on the centenary of its destruction. ba/17:14

PM Gruevski meets British businessmen in London

Nikola Gruevski

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski presented yesterday the opportunities for investing in Macedonia to British businessmen in London at an event organized by the British Business Group Macedonia, chaired by Ray Power, the Government said Saturday in a press release.

Traditionally good political relations between Macedonia and Britain, especially affirmed by London's support of Macedonia's EU, NATO integration processes, will also contribute to boosting the bilateral economic cooperation, Gruevski said at the presentation.

The Government, he said, has been working on improving the business climate and working conditions for both domestic and foreign companies in a stable macroeconomic environment.

In this respect Gruevski mentioned the World Bank Doing Business report, which for several years in a row has been ranking Macedonia among the best reformers and attractive business destinations.

Gruevski also referred to the technological industrial development zones and benefits they were offering. They have already welcomed the plants of British companies Johnson Controls and Johnson Metty. For the last four months there has been an intensive investment activity in these zones, namely Johnson Controls is opening yet another plant, while the Italian company 'TeknoHose', US 'Kemet Electronics', Russia's 'Protec Group'  and India's 'Motherson Group' have been working on the realization of their investments.

Prince Michael of Kent, who honored the presentaion with his presence, said he was fascinated by the opportunities for investing in Macedonia and urged British businessmen to learn more about them.

At a separate meeting Gruevski and Prince Michael of Kent shared opinions on possibilities for further development of the Macedonian-British cooperation.

Kanceska-Milevska reports on Ministry of Culture's activities in 100 days of new government

The Ministry of Culture has been continuing to realize its program towards improving the cultural environment in Macedonia and affirming the country's best cultural values across the globe.
Reporting on the activities in the 100 days since the establishment of the new government, Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska said the ministry was functioning in line with clearly set goals--support and nourishment of the traditional and contemporary cultural values, investment in the infrastructure, restoration, conservation and promotion of the cultural heritage, archaeological researches...
Listing the realized projects, she mentioned the new Museum of Macedonian Struggle for Statehood and Independence, overhauling of the memorial house of Miladinovci Brothers in Struga, the Memorial Museum '11 Oktomvri' in Prilep, opening of the City Museum in Kriva Palanka.
In regard to publishing, she mentioned the promotion of 130 volumes of Macedonian Literature, translated in English.
Referring to cultural events, Kancevska-Milevska singled out the observance of the 50the anniversary of 'Struga Poetry Evenings'.Speaking about the international cooperation, Kanceska-Milevska said the 'Days of Macedonian Culture' were organized in Saint Petersburg and Tallinn - the European Capital of Culture 2011.
Furthermore, the Skopje-based National and University Library took part at Frankfurt Book Fair, Macedonia became a UNESCO Executive Board member and Tose Proeski Memorial House won the People's Choice Award.
The Ministry's future projects include a promotion of the new 'Old Theater', Philharmonic Hall, construction of a Film Center, digitization of the audio-visual cultural heritage.
The Ministry will also work on drafting several laws and a national strategy for cultural development, Kanceska-Milevska said.

PM Gruevski visits Tetovo's flooded area

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski visited Sunday the flooded area, Tetovo's Raotince village, where in the past couple of days the river Vardar spilled out of its banks, inundating about 30 houses and 200 hectares of cultivable soil along the river.
The PM together with Agriculture Minister Ljupco Dimovski and the directors of the Crisis Management Center and the Protection and Rescue Directorate visited Raotince residents to oversee the situation and determine whether the Government is able to provide assistance. After meeting with residents, Gruevski said yesterday was the most critical day, adding that the water has receded. - This is not happening for the first time. Inundations have emerged before.
Evidently, this region is critical and a long-term solution must be found, PM Gruevski stated. He vowed to review the project envisaging overhaul and arrangement of the Vardar river bank 7 kilometers lengthwise. The village of Raotnice has been facing this problem for over 30 years. A project to overhaul the river bank has been made back in 1974 and it was renewed in 2005, but it remains unfinished. The situation in Raotnice today is back to normal, the water has receded into the river bank.

Croatian PM to visit Macedonia

Croatia's Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor will visit Macedonia on Tuesday, after receiving an invitation by her counterpart Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. "Croatia's PM is scheduled to meet government officials and will participate at the Macedonian-Croatian economic forum", Croatian government said. Kosor will also meet with Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov and President of Parliament Trajko Veljanovski.