The Presidents Gligorov and Demirel signed a lasting agreement for friendship, good-neighborly relations and cooperation between the Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Turkey, in Skopje today. Foreign ministers Crvenkovski and Ineni signed an agreement between the two countries for protection of the investments.
At the end of the two-day friendly visit to the Republic of Macedonia, the President of Turkey Suleyman Demirel addressed the members of the Macedonian Parliament, in which he confirmed the profound traditional friendship between the two countries, as well as the commitment of Turkey to continue giving economic and political assistance to Macedonia. They confirmed the mutual strategy of the two countries for europeanizing the Balkans, which would contribute to its stabilization and inclusion in the modern world. Demirel explained that "truly, there are no political problems between Turkey and Macedonia." According to him "Macedonia is like the heart of the Balkans. It has an exceptionally important strategic position and its stability is of great importance for the whole region, and even Europe."
At the joint news conference, the two presidents expressed their concern over the latest developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the continuation of this war. "The international community did not manage to stop the aggressor, especially since the attacked side has no arms. The world community is implementing an embargo on the side that is attacked. We told the world community 'if you can't stop the war, at least give the attacked side a chance to defend itself," Demirel said.
The Turkish president expressed support of Macedonia's peace-loving policy and said in relation to the Macedonian-Greek dispute: "Macedonia is a reality and the name it bears belongs to it alone. We are one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Macedonia, and we feel it has the right to that. Greece should revise its stance with a cool head, in order to maintain the peace in the region, which is also an interest of Turkey."
When asked by Greek reporters whether a solution to the Macedonian-Greek dispute is in sight, the Macedonian President Gligorov said: "There is a solution, and it should be reached, but therefore, it is necessary for both sides to exercise good will. Macedonia is showing that with a line of examples. We could easily reach an agreement, provided reality is respected, the dignity of these people, and if measures that are outside the norms of conduct in the international community are not taken."
The president of the Commission for foreign politics of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania Eduard Seljami assessed the visit of his delegation to RM, as guest of the Foreign politics commission of the Macedonian Parliament, as very successful and a possibility to strengthen the cooperation between the two neighboring countries. In reference to the success of the meeting, the president of the Commission for foreign politics of the Macedonian Parliament Ilinka Mitreva gave the same assessment at yesterday's news conference.
At yesterday's news conference it was announced that the two sides reached a high level of agreement, and only their views on the so-called Tetovo university remained different. "We didn't reach consensus on this question, and so we called it a problem that can only be solved through dialogue," Seljami emphasized, who positively assessed the meetings and talks with the representatives of the Macedonian Government, as well as the Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament. Ilinka Mitreva explained that "we raised the question as to the name under which the Republic of Macedonia has recognized our country, and we believe that some time soon, we can expect different applications in terms of this question."
A strong earthquake was sensed in Makedonski Brod yesterday, at 14.13 hours. According to the Seismological laboratory with the Faculty of Natural Sciences in Skopje, the epicenter of the earthquake was in the Krushevo-Kichevo region, with an intensity of 5 degrees according to the Mercally scale. The earthquake caused fear and panic among the population, however, no material damages are reported yet.
Titov Veles and the surrounding areas were hit by a strong hail storm two days ago, in the afternoon hours, followed by strong rain and wind, which flooded many streets and basements in the buildings in the lower part. The talc factory "Dimche Mitrev" suffered the most from the floods, as well as the storage areas and bakery of "Zito Vardar," the storage areas of "Veles- hrom," the railway station, a part of the plants of "Brako," "Kiro Kjucuk," the veterinary station, etc.
The bad weather also cut the electricity. The villages Otovica, Sopot, Kumarino, Mamutchevo and a number of villages from the Azot region were left without electricity for a number of hours.
The Minister of Agriculture Ivan Angelov and the Minister of Economy Risto Ivanov informed the representatives of the mill- baking industry about the government proposal to purchase the whole wheat harvest. 200,000 tones of wheat present market surplus, of which 165,000 tones are in the state-owned and 35,000 in the individual sector. From this quantity, the state will purchase 124,050 tones through the Office for stock reserves, while the remaining 75,950 will be taken over by the mill-baking industry.
The procurement of the necessary two billion denars, necessary for the purchase of the harvest, according to the program prepared by the government, has been done from a number of sources. The money for paying for the harvest from the individual sector - 350 million denars, will be provided through the Program for the formation and renewal of stock reserves, and will be paid in installments. The first installment, from September 1-10, will consist of 50 million denars, the second one (from October 1-10) - 115 million, the third (November 1-10) 115 million, and the fourth (December 1-10) another 70 million. The premiums (70 million denars) are foreseen to be paid immediately after the taking over of the harvest.
The funds for the wheat from the state-owned sector - 1,650 million denars, will be provided from a number of sources. One of the ways is that the mill-baking industry will take part with 609,5 million, from funds that will be obtained through increasing the price of the bread (three denars per loaf) and the flour.
The representatives of the mill-baking industry accepted the proposal and assessed it as favorable, however, under certain conditions. In order to provide unhindered conditions for further production, they assessed, it is necessary to really respect the payment deadlines.
In addition, order should be introduced in the market, as well as to prevent future imports of cheap wheat and flour from Serbia. Otherwise, there will be no effects from the purchase program. A part of the companies, like "Zito leb," said they had no chance of taking part in the purchase because of the enormous stocks from last year and the high interest rates that have yet to be paid.
The French embassy has informed that the French Government, distressed by the news of the disaster that occurred in a number of regions in central Macedonia, has decided to give the Red Cross of Macedonia 150,000 francs or $ 33,000, which will be paid to a special account opened for the victims in the floods.
According to the estimates of the damages in Negotino, carried out by the Insurance agency "Makedonija," the overall direct losses to the farming land, buildings, equipment and stock which were insured, amount to 165 million denars. According to the data, the damages to the farming areas are valued at over 61 million, to the buildings - over 19 million denars, the equipment - over 36 million denars, and the stocks - over 48 million denars.
The Institute for earthquake engineering and seismology with the Water Supply Institute of Macedonia is working on the estimation of the damages to the collector for atmospherical waters in Negotino, while the municipal commissions are estimating the damages to the individual economic and non- economic objects.