No. 31 Macedonian Matters
War of words with Bulgaria continues, Macedonian officials in Brussels and New York, public sector hiring based on ethnicity paused, and more.
This is Macedonian Matters. I’m Aleksej Demjanski.
This is your weekly curated news from North Macedonia.
Thanks again for your support! The newsletter will always be free. If you feel inclined and want to buy me a cup of coffee (or a beer) as I toil away after work or on a Sunday morning I will humbly accept it! Appreciate y’all!
If someone shared this with you or you happened upon it and want to subscribe to get the weekly newsletter in your inbox:
The Matters
Bulgarians outraged after North Macedonia’s deputy PM calls them "miserable" (Bne Intellinews)
“Bulgarian politicians were outraged when North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski called President Rumen Radev an “uncivilised host” and Bulgarians “miserable” in response to the recent escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Earlier in September, during a meeting between Radev and North Macedonia’s President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova in Sofia, the flag of North Macedonia was absent, which angered Skopje.”
Bulgarian politicians demand Nikoloski apologize and resign (MIA)
“North Macedonia's officials' vocabulary can be excused only if the transport minister resigns, otherwise Bulgaria's President, Prime Minister, government ministers and political parties should not talk to them anymore, according to GERB leader Boyko Borissov commenting on Deputy PM and Minister of Transport and Communications Aleksandar Nikoloski's Alfa TV appearance in which he said the absence of the Macedonian flag in a recent photo of President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova visiting President Rumen Radev was uncivilized and disrespectful.”
North Macedonia PM Voices Frustration Over ‘Humiliating’ EU Accession Demands (BalkanInsight)
“North Macedonia is tired of encountering obstacles on its path to EU membership and will no longer accept ultimatums, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told media during a visit to Brussels.”
Mickoski: Joining EU should be based on a merit system, not additional identity concessions (MIA)
“My message to the people in Brussels is clear - if you really want us to be part of the European family, then there is a way, if there is a will, there is a way. We can no longer accept ultimatums, at least not while I lead the Macedonian Government, nor is there a price that can convince me to accept an ultimatum. I want these citizens and my homeland to join that family based on the merit system, not on the basis of more national humiliation and identity concessions, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Friday asked by a reporter to summarize yesterday's messages exchanged at the meetings with top officials in Brussels.”
Mucunski from Brussels: We will continue to work and deliver results, that is the main expectation from the EU (360 Degrees - Macedonian)
“With regard to the so-called "French proposal plus", i.e. the adoption of the constitutional amendments with deferred effect, the foreign minister pointed out that some of these issues had also been discussed with EU representatives and that the dialogue with European institutions and member states would continue…”
President Siljanovska Davkova heads Macedonian delegation to UNGA 79 in New York (MIA)
“Siljanovska Davkova is to address on Thursday the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly … As part of her participation in UNGA 79, President Siljanovska Davkova will also meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres… The Macedonian delegation also includes Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski and Deputy PM and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti.”
North Macedonia Court Temporarily ‘Freezes’ Ethnic Quotas in Employment (BalkanInsight)
“Constitutional Court temporarily bans hires in the public sector based on ethnic quotas, pending a final decision on the constitutionality of the 'Balancer' mechanism used for the last ten years…
The latest move, as well as the Court’s final decision, has the potential to complicate things in the multiethnic country where relations remain fragile between the ethnic Macedonian majority and ethnic Albanians who make up roughly one quarter of the population…
The divide in the country along ethnic lines was reflected in the Constitutional Court on Wednesday. While the majority of judges favoured accepting the motion for consideration, the three ethnic Albanian judges argued in favour of dismissing it.
The “Balancer” is a digital tool that calculates the exact number of ethnic-minority employees required in each public body.
It stems from the Ohrid peace accord that ended a brief armed conflict waged by ethnic Albanian militants in 2001, as one of the key mechanisms ensuring equitable representation for minorities and a consensual democracy.”
Constitutional Court launches procedure on ‘balancer’ (MIA)
“The Constitutional Court accepted Wednesday the motion filed by the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and launched a procedure on the “balancer”, a program designed to promote ethnic diversity through affirmative action in hiring governmental workers but which gave rise to "fraud, influence peddling, corruption and clientelism," according to the petitioners.”
Mexhiti: We have an agreement with VMRO-DPMNE to promote the "balancer" in a law on the proper representation of minorities (360 Degrees - Macedonian)
“Regarding the accusations of the opposition parties of the Albanian bloc that the abolition of the "balancer" will violate the rights of minorities, the minister says that Albanians have nothing to lose by abolishing this mechanism… He adds that in the formation of the new government, the political agreement between VLEN and the partners from VMRO-DPMNE was to promote the "balancer" into a law on the proper representation of minority communities.”
N. Macedonia Approves 500-million-euro Loan From Hungary (Barron’s)
“North Macedonia's parliament on Tuesday passed a bill authorising a 500-million-euro ($550 million) loan from a partly state-owned Hungarian bank, despite criticism from the opposition.
North Macedonia will benefit from a three-year grace period and will have 15 years to repay the loan.
But critics say the money originally comes from China and would set a dangerous precedent by increasing public debt.”
Trial Starts in North Macedonia for Double Killing That Shocked Country (Balkan Insight)
“In a much-anticipated trial in North Macedonia that began on Friday for the kidnapping and killing of a 14-year-old girl and a 74-year-old pensioner, the main defendant, Ljupco Palevski, pleaded not guilty.”
In North Macedonia, Families Strive to Preserve Emotional Ties to Home Villages (Balkan Insight)
“As growing apples became unprofitable, many farmers from North Macedonia’s Prespa region left for the cities and their villages became deserted. But Elena Gagovska’s family, and others who have left but cherish their roots in the area, have returned to restore old family homes or build new ones.”
“Many airlines” apply for Macedonian subsidy tender (Ex Yu Aviation)
“There has been significant interest in the Macedonian government's public call for airlines to introduce new routes to Skopje and Ohrid airports in exchange for subsidies. The General Manager of airport operator TAV Macedonia, Nejat Kurt, said, "As far as I am informed, many airlines have applied for the call, though I cannot disclose which ones at this moment". He highlighted that TAV representatives held regular meetings with the Ministry of Transport and Communications before the call was issued. Mr Kurt also noted that the new subsidy model is expected to attract more airlines and routes to the country's airports.
The development comes as TAV unveiled plans to develop a masterplan for Skopje and Ohrid airports for the upcoming twenty to thirty years. "The masterplan we are currently preparing, with the support of our majority owner ADP, is aimed at the growth and development of both Macedonian airports. Our objective is to further advance the aviation industry in Macedonia”, Mr Kurt said. He added, “The analysis will determine the necessary improvements required at Skopje International Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport, after which the findings will be presented to the government. Our ambition is to position Skopje and Ohrid airports as regional aviation hubs, competitive with other airports in the region". TAV’s concession of the two airports runs until 2032.”
Have an idea for a topic we should cover in-depth? Let me know by replying to this email.
That’s it for this week’s Macedonian Matters! Thanks for subscribing!
Have feedback? Feel free to reply to this email or add a comment on Substack.