Nikola Dimitrov: History smiled to Bulgaria and Macedonia

“The symbolism of February 14 makes me say that on this day history smiled to Bulgaria and Macedonia and their future is wide open”, Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Dimitrov said in Sofia after the exchange of the ratification documents enforcing the long-awaited Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborly Relations and Cooperation between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia. Our bilateral relations changed even before the good neighbor agreement was enforced, Minister Dimitrov commented underlining that the two countries share many common interests.

Binali Yıldırım: Ankara ready to make real steps towards improving relations with Germany

Turkey’s Premier Binali Yıldırım signaled that Ankara was ready to make a real step towards improving its relations with Germany. In an interview for the German ARD channel Premier Yıldırım voiced hopes that journalist Deniz Yücel from the German Die Welt newspaper, who was arrested on charges of propaganda in support of a terrorist organization, will be freed soon. The German government is categorical that normalization of relations with Turkey cannot happen before this country stops making large scale arrests of opponents of President Recep Erdogan.

Macedonia and Greece reached consensus on three of all seven issues related to Macedonia’s naming dispute: Zoran Zaev

Macedonia and Greece reached consensus on three out of all seven issues related to Macedonia’s naming dispute, this country’s Premier Zoran Zaev said. Premier Zaev underlined that Macedonia’s cabinet was doing its best to build a consensus within the country, in order to find a final decision to the dispute that has been lasting for over 25 years. Zoran Zaev voiced hopes that the two countries will act in a pragmatic manner and the possible solution to the issue will be confirmed at a referendum.

Thessaloniki Mayor Boutaris suggests that city airport should no longer be called “Macedonia”, protesters demand his resignation

The mayor of Thessaloniki Yiannis Boutaris caused protests after suggesting that the city airport should no longer be called “Macedonia” as a sign of friendliness to Skopje. The protests were held in front of the municipality in Thessaloniki. The protesters called on mayor Boutaris to resign. “There is no reason to protest against a neighboring country which has no intentions to conquer Thessaloniki”, Mayor Yiannis Boutaris pointed out. Several years ago Mayor Boutaris provoked Skopje with his statement that the Macedonians were Bulgarians and Macedonian language did not exist, the correspondent of the Bulgarian National Radio to Greece Katya Peeva reports.

Slovenian teachers protest for higher wages

Most schools in Slovenia closed due to the strike of 38,000 teachers who demanded pay-rise. We demand that the average teachers’ salary be increased to the average wages in other sectors requiring similar education like doctors and those who work at the public administration, the spokesperson of the teachers’ trade unions SVIZ Sandi Modrijan said. Last month 30,000 Slovenians employed at the public sector went on strike demanding higher wages. On Monday the Policemen stopped working for two hours demanding pay rises and on Tuesday the nurses in that country did the same, Dnevnik daily reports.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov