SKOPJE

NATO chief urges Macedonia to solve name row with Greece

Skopje - Emiratesvoice

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Macedonia on Thursday to keep up newfound momentum towards solving a 27-year-old dispute with Greece over its name, a key condition for joining the alliance. "I welcome the willingness of your government to resolve this issue and the resolve the government has shown," Stoltenberg told Macedonia's parliament in Skopje during a two-day visit, the firstRead more

Macedonia political deadlock deepens over gov't forming

Skopje - ArabToday

The political deadlock in Macedonia continues to deepen after President Gjorge Ivanov rejected to mandate the formation of a new government led by the Social Democratic Union (SDSM). While the party VMRO-DPMNE led by Nikola Gruevski, which owns most parliamentary seats, Saturday called on SDSM leader Zoran Zaev to accept their proposal of holding new snap elections, SDSM calls forRead more

Macedonian president urged to task SDSM's Zaev to form new gov't

Skopje - ArabToday

Macedonia's President is urged by the European Commission to give the mandate for the formation of a new government to the leader of Social Democratic party (SDSM) Zoran Zaev, local media reported on Sunday. "As enough signatures of MPs have been collected, we look forward to the next steps," European Union (EU) commissioner for enlargement negotiations Johannes Hahn said SaturdayRead more

Macedonia's DUI affirms support for SDSM-led gov't, ruling party warns of turmoil

Skopje - ArabToday

The Social Democratic Union (SDSM) led by Zoran Zaev has managed to secure the support of the ethnic Albanian party, Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), thus paving the way the formation of a new government in Macedonia, local media reported Saturday. On Friday night, the spokesperson of DUI Bujar Osmani told reporters that the party supported the formation of aRead more

Small Plane Crashes Near Skopje, Killing 6 People on Board

Belgrade - Arab Today

A private German-registered small airplane flying from Italy to Kosovo crashed Tuesday in Macedonia, killing all six passengers and crew. Macedonian state prosecutor's office said it was investigating the cause of the crash but disclosed no other details. Four victims were Italian nationals and the other two were Kosovan, Macedonian reports said. The Piper Pa 34-200 Seneca aircraft left fromRead more

German plane crashes near Skopje, killing 6 people

Skopje - XINHUA

A small German plane crashed Tuesday afternoon near Macedonian capital Skopje, killing six people onboard, local media reported. The plane took off from Italy's Treviso and it planned to land in Macedonia to be supplied with fuel, according to media reports. The plane went off from the radar when it was 10 kilometers away from the runway of Alexander theRead more

Macedonia storms kill at least 21

Skopje - Arab Today

Fierce storms packing strong winds and torrential rains overnight killed at least 21 people in Macedonia's capital of Skopje, the health minister said Sunday. The freak weather included winds blowing at more than 70 kilometres (43 miles) an hour and resulted in flash floods and landslides, with cars swept away by the violent torrents. Meteorological officials said the average rainfallRead more

To go ahead with poll despite boycotts

Skopje - Arab Today

Macedonia's former and possible next prime minister Nikola Gruevski says his party is preparing to stand in an early election next month despite a boycott by his opponents and international disapproval. Gruevski, who had stepped down in January after 10 years in power to make way for the vote, told AFP late Friday that the troubled Balkan country could nowRead more

EU cancels Macedonia crisis talks as protests resume

Skopje - Arab Today

The European Union on Thursday cancelled mediation talks on resolving the political crisis in Macedonia, as tens of thousands of pro- and anti-government demonstrators again took to the streets of Skopje. The EU had invited Macedonian political leaders to talks Friday on ending the crisis that has gripped the small Balkan country for the last two years. "We regret thatRead more