MAK NEWS 15/12/95 (M.I.L.S.)

From: "M.I.L.S." <mils@ITL.MK>

Macedonian Information Liaison Service Directory

CONTENTS

MILS NEWS

15 December, 1995

[01] THE CONTINUITY ISSUE TROUBLES MUTUAL RECOGNITION

Macedonian Foreign Affairs Minister Stevo Crvenkovski, head of the Macedonian delegation on the Paris Peace Conference, stated for Macedonian Radio that during the last two days meetings were held between the Macedonian and FR Yugoslavia delegations concerning the mutual recognition of the two countries, but nothing in particular was agreed.

The problem is, according to unofficial information of'Makpress', that FR Yugoslavia insists on the Macedonian acceptance of the continuity of ex Yugoslavia, even on the continuity of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians.

France and several other countries insisted on mutual recognition of all ex Yugoslav republics to be done in a package on the Conference in Paris, but this was refused at the very beginning. The only exception was the recognition between FRY and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but this information was denied by Sitel television.

A-1 television yesterday informed about the unofficial estimations in diplomatic circles in Belgrade, saying that the recognition between FRY and Macedonia could follow after the recognition between FRY and Croatia.

Macedonian television reported that Minister Stevo Crvenkovski met with French Minister Herv, de Charette in the French Foreign Affairs Ministry. They agreed 17 Agreements and Conventions that regulate the relations in several areas between Macedonia and France, and previously signed by ex Yugoslavia and France till 17 September 1991, to remain effective. The issues of these documents consider social insurance, double taxation, investments protection and tourism.

[02] FIVE EQUAL SUCCESSORS OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

'Macedonia can not accept only one country to be a successor of the state and legal continuity of former Yugoslavia. Badinter's Commission confirmed that dissolution of Yugoslavia began in November 1991 and ended in July 1992.

That was a definite end of ex Yugoslavia, and five new countries were established - Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which are equal successors of the former united state.' This was emphasized by the Experts Committee on Succession of former Yugoslavia member, Dr. Todor Dzunov, in his comment for the Macedonian television.

[03] DISCUSSIONS ON DISARMAMENT IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA

On Monday, in Petersburg (near Bonn, Germany), discussions on disarmament in former Yugoslavia will be held, aiming to lessen the danger of a new war on the Balkans. German Foreign Affairs Ministry reported that measures for mutual confidence, armament control and stability in the region will be discussed, which will be an introduction to more concrete negotiations in Vienna under patronage of OSCE.

Macedonian delegation led by Minister Stevo Crvenkovski will also participate.

[04] BORDER RAILWAY TRAFFIC AGREEMENT

Macedonian and Greek Railways representatives signed a cooperation Protocol for 1996, that regulates more bilateral issues considering commercial use, including the prices of oil transportation. The Railway Border Traffic Agreement was also discussed, and was decided its content to be finalized by the mutual expert group till 31 January next year. The Yugoslav Railways representatives, which were prevented from attending the meeting, authorized the Macedonian and Greek representatives to establish the railway transportation prices on territories of the three countries.

Macedonian television informed that, meanwhile, the transportation of oil and oil derivatives for Macedonia from the Sallonika port has been intensified. Another tanker for Macedonia has already arrived at this port, the third one after the Greek embargo was lifted.

[05] REVITALIZATION OF RURAL AREAS NECESSARY

Macedonian Minister of Agriculture Dr.Ivan Angelov held a press conference yesterday, on the occasion of the meeting of agriculture ministers of the member countries of the Central European Initiative which took place on 7 and 8 this month in Warsaw. He emphasized that the main issue in the discussions was the transformation of agriculture after establishing the free market in the member countries. It was also said that the employment in agriculture must be increased, that rural areas must be revitalized, that integration processes must be improved, as well as the experience exchange with the West European countries.

Macedonian representatives emphasized the need of broader usage of the natural resources, and the need for faster transformation of the agricultural enterprises from social to private.

The CEI countries also signed a communique which offfers new perspectives for better cooperation in agriculture, cattle breeding and veterinary medicine.

[06] GERMAN PRESENT FOR MACEDONIAN CLINICS

The clinics on the Medicine Faculty in Skopje will be given 4 million DM value magnet resonance medical equipment, used in diagnostics and treatment of neurological illnesses, as a present from the German Government. The equepment is a latest achievement in the modern medical technology.

[07] DINERS CARDS IN MACEDONIA

On yesterday's press conference in the 'Diners Club Mac' Ltd. in Skopje, the Diners credit cards were presented, which will be used again for non-cash payment in Macedonia.

The 'Diners Club' Manager informed that neither deposit nor warranty must be contributed to own such a card, which is not the case with other credit cards.

[08] A JUBILEE OF THE ECONOMY FACULTY IN SKOPJE

The Faculty of Economy in Skopje and Macedonian Economists Association are celebrating 45 years of their work this year. On this occasion, a seminar was organized yesterday on the subject 'The Special Role of the Economy Science'. The Scientific Academy member Ksente Bogoev, in congratulating the Anniversary, said that this meeting is very important considering the fact that, according to all forecasts and analyses, during the next year, many changes should take place in the prolonged recession, in the GNP decreasing, as well as in the dramatically increased unemployment. He also discussed the role of the Macedonian economy science in creating the long term visions for economical recovery of the country.

[09] THIRTY YEARS OF SOCIOLOGICAL, POLITICAL AND LEGAL RESEARCH

The Institute for Sociological, Political and Legal Researches of Macedonia celebrated its Thirtieth Anniversary. The Institute was established by a decision of the 'St. Cyril and Methodius' University, and the first Director was Dr. Aleksandar Hristov.

[10] JOURNALIST AWARDS PRESENTED

The journalist awards 'Mito Hadzivasilev Jasmin' for this year were given to the journalists and technical team of the Information Program in the Macedonian Television for the speedy and accurate informing of the public about the assassination attempt on Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov.

The journalist Erol Rizaov was also rewarded for a serial of comments on current issues published in 'Nova Makedonija'.

[11] DPM WILL REQUIRE EARLIER ELECTIONS

Democratic Party of Macedonia (DPM) presented Mr. Nikola Lazarov, as party's candidate on the forthcoming elections in the electoral unit 114 in Skopje on a press conference yesterday. The Party President Tomislav Stojanovski expressed his protest about frivolous attitude of the parliament members and the unsatisfactory work of the Macedonian Parliament. He also said that Macedonian democracy is in a slowdown and, because of that, DPM will require earlier parliamentary elections. Stojanovski discussed the intolerable attitude of the Town Council of Gostivar members, who celebrated the state holiday of Albania, adding that this Council should be dismissed and that the Government must not tolerate such acts.

[12] 'STRADIVARIUS' FOUND IN A CRIMINAL'S HOME IN STRUMICA

Macedonian Internal Affairs Ministry informed yesterday that during the activities against forced payment of debts, measures were taken against a person from Strumica, in whose house a 'Stradivarius' violin dating from 1720 was found.

The person was charged of tax covering and heavy burglary and was arrested.

Meanwhile, on the Northern Macedonian border, the Internal Affairs Ministry arrested two persons from FRY who tried to cross the border illegally and to smuggle 17 revolvers, 1 automatic gun and larger quantity of munitions intended for sale in Macedonia.

MILS SUPPLEMENT

[13] DOMESTIC BARRIER FOR FOREIGN FOODS

('Vecer', 14 December 1995)

The main aims of the new Customs Tax Law of Macedonia will be to protect domestic goods, to develop domestic production, i.e. to encourage the enterprises in beginning new production programs, and to stabilize the economy of the country.

According to the Macedonian Customs Administration Deputy Director Shaban Zandeli, customs duty rates will range from 0 to 25 percent, the average level decreasing from 11,59 to 11,27 percent.

'Custom duties will include additional taxes such as the special tax, tax leveling expenses and customs evidence expenses. This was made to avoid possible problems in future when Macedonia will join the World Trade Organization, that does not easily allow increasing of the custom duties. The case with Croatia, whose motto was 'nothing is produced, nothing should be protected', shows how insensible is to have low custom duties. Now they are introducing various import limits, which was disapproved by the WTO' -said Zandeli.

The customs taxes will be such established that the obligations towards World Trade Organization (ex GATT), will be completely respected. Namely, for 30 tariff units 0 percent rate will be established. This includes: bananas, green coffee, fish, fish and whale grease, etc.

The 'duty free' regulations will include some raw and reproduction materials, which are necessary for Macedonian producers, such as: coal, natural gas, oil (not derivatives), materials for medicaments production, drugs which will not be retailed, etc.

The essence of establishing the rates is: the more processed product, the higher customs duty.

The taxes considering consumer goods will be mainly the same as the ones still in force. However, to protect domestic agricultural production, custom duties for some vegetables will be raised from 10 to 25 percent. The duties for wheat and corn import will also increase, and for wheat flour and other grains they will elevate from 5 and 10 to 15 and 20 percent.

Sugar and products from sugar are planned to be burdened with 25 percent tax (instead of the current 20), and sunflower oil and margarine with 20 percent (instead of the current 12). The textile products average customs duty will be 15,53 percent, which is 0,46 percent lower than the effective one, a small declining because of the great domestic production of large quantities with high quality.

Customs duties for domestic appliances will decrease, as most of them are not produced in Macedonia. The average duties for production machines, appliances, electrical and technical equipment, audio equipment and TV sets will be 10,87 percent lower than the presently valid ones.

The only issue that has still not been solved considers cars import. The dilemma is whether such vehicles will be produced in Macedonia in future or not, as such a possibility was recently notified by one cars distributor.

The most possible option is, however, that custom duties referring to cars will not be much different than the previous ones.

(end)

mils news 15 December 1995