"The Third Half" to be screened in Los Angeles in November

"The Third Half" by Darko Mitrevski is one of the ten Oscar contenders from non-English speaking countries which will be screened in Los Angeles in early November at the American Film Market.

Mitrevski's box office hit will be screened on Nov. 4 at the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills.

"These special screenings aim at providing publicity and seeking US distributors for the ten European movies. 'The Third Half' in the running to be shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film will be screened before distributors and international buyers as well as before members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences," the Film Fund of Macedonia has said.

The screenings are organised by the European Film Promotion and the EU's Media Programme.

A record number of films (71) are vying this year to scoop the Oscar for best foreign language feature. Five films will be selected as official nominations, which are going to be announced on Jan. 10. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Feb. 24.

Promotion of Macedonian wines in New York

Skopje, 6 June 2012 (MIA) - In the framework of the week-long United States promotion of Macedonian wines, eight Macedonian wineries will present Wednesday their products before renowned distributors and wine importers from New York, as well as most influential wine critics in the U.S.

The promotion aims at securing favorable reviews for wineries, as well as direct talks for increased distribution of Macedonian wines at the U.S. market.

The Macedonian wines were presented in Chicago, Washington over the past week. The Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion has said most of U.S. importers and distributors demonstrated interest to include Macedonian wines in their portfolios.

The U.S. promotion of Macedonian wines is organized by the Agency for Foreign Investments and Export Promotion, in cooperation with the Macedonian Embassy in Washington, Consulates in New York and Chicago, and USAID projects AgBiz and IDEAS. Products by eight Macedonian wineries - Bovin, Dudin, Dalvina, Popova Kula, Stobi, Tikves, Kamnik and Ezimit - are presented at the events.

Done Deal: Macedonia and USA Sign "Open Skies" Agreement

The United States and Macedonia today reached an Open-Skies aviation agreement, which will allow airlines of the two countries to select routes, destinations and prices for both passenger and cargo service based on consumer demand and market conditions. It is the first aviation agreement between the two countries.
“By agreeing on an open market for aviation services now, we are setting the stage for travel and trade between the United State and Macedonia to develop in the future,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We welcome Macedonia as an Open-Skies partner.
”Open-Skies agreements allow unrestricted access by the airlines of each side to fly to, from and beyond the other’s territory, without restriction on how often carriers fly, the kind of aircraft they use and the prices they charge.
The new opportunities are available immediately. The agreement makes Macedonia the 103rd U.S. Open-Skies partner.

USA DECORATES 31 MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS

The Unites States decorated 31 members of the Macedonian Army - ARM's special operation regiment for their participation in "Iraqi Freedom" mission on monday. Four of the members of the 11th ARM rotation in Iraqi Freedom mission received a meritorious service medals and 27 commendation medals of the US Army.
A total of 493 members of the ARM special operations regiment and joint operations command have taken part between June 2003 and December 2009 in Iraqi Freedom mission in 11 rotations. 124 have been awarded with medals and decorations.
- By participating in the Iraqi Freedom mission, the Republic of Macedonia has demonstrated that it is ready to join the coalition in the fight against today's biggest evil - global terrorism, said Minister of Defense Zoran Konjanovski in a speech delivered at the ceremony. In addition to Iraq, Macedonia takes part also in missions in Afghanistan. Lebanon, Bosnia & Herzegovina and provides logistic support to the KFOR mission in Kosovo.
Macedonia will demonstrate its commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration, he added, by sending addition troops in Afghanistan in early 2010. - With our contribution, Macedonia already functions as a NATO member. So we ask to be accordingly valued, not to be awarded, said Konjanovski. ARM Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Miroslav Stojanovski said in the past 18 years Macedonia had managed to establish a professional army that took part in NATO, EU, UN-led missions.
- The United States do not doubt that the Macedonian Army is strong, smart and ready for any mission. The country knows that the Republic of Macedonia is a close friend and an ally, said Thomas Navratil, US Deputy Ambassador. Presenting the medals, Admiral William Brown said foreign operations had showed to the world the capacities, preparedness and determination of Macedonia for Euro-Atlantic integration. - Macedonia is a key member in the Adriatic Group and it will play an important role in the enlargement process in the region.
Macedonia continues to be a regional leader in promoting Balkan peace and stability, said Brown, adding that Macedonia and US fostered permanent partnership.