US demands faster settlement of Macedonia, Greece naming dispute

In an interview for the national news agency of Macedonia the US Department of State has said that it supports negotiations with United Nations mediation for the settlement of the dispute over the name of Macedonia and has urged the Macedonian parliament to focus on key reforms. The Department of State spokesperson has said that the US hopes to see a fast settlement of the naming dispute which has been running for many years, BGNES reports. The statement has come a few hours before Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias’s visit to Macedonia for talks with his hosts perceived as key in the naming dispute.

Dozens detained in Turkey on Kurdish Newroz feast

The police in Turkey have detained dozens of protesters for chanting slogans and flying banners in support of the Kurdish rebels during celebrations of Newroz (the Kurdish New Year). Kurds usually use Newroz to declare their ethnic origin and press for more rights, BTA reports. There are protesters detained in Istanbul, Izmir and Adana. In the predominantly ethnic Kurdish town of Batman the police dispersed protesters in a demonstration held without permission from authorities. Kurds account for about one-fifth of the population of Turkey.

Annulled referendum prompts resignation of Slovenian PM

The parliament of Slovenia has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Miro Cerar who will remain in office until a new government is formed. Cerar stepped down last week after the Supreme Court of that country annulled a referendum on a key railway project of the government. He stated that he had resigned in a bid to protect the country from pressure put by lobbyist groups and that “the events of recent weeks do not serve the interest of Slovenia’s prosperity”. Lately the government has faced a wave of protests and strikes in the public sector.

Macedonia NATO integration not aimed against Russia: Zoran Zaev

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has said that the aspiration of his country to integrate in NATO does not mean confrontation with Russia and such a membership has been the will of the citizens of Macedonia for several decades. Zoran Zaev has pointed out that accession to NATO is a strategic priority mapped out back in 1993 and is important for the stability and security of Macedonia and the region. He has added that Macedonia maintains the strategic goal of improving cooperation with the Russian Federation.

Serbia investigates opponents of measles immunizations

After 12 fatalities including two children caused by measles, the Serbian authorities have started investigation into public figures who oppose vaccinations. Options are checked how to bring charges against such public figures. Last month, a group of 270 parents accused 43 persons including one doctor of creating panic with public statements against vaccines. Immunization is mandatory for children in Serbia but courts of justice only seldom impose fines for refusal to receive vaccines. Fines range from 250 to 1250 euro.

Macedonia set to preserve Bulgarian inscription in Skopje church

The Spokesman of the Macedonian Ministry of Culture Petrit Saracini has said in an interview for BGNES that Macedonia will do what is necessary to preserve a commemorative plaque that used to be the property of the old church of Nativity of the Holy Virgin in Skopje. The inscription on the plaque reads: „The main door of the Bulgarian People’s Church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin, 20 July 1879“. The plaque was found in an abandoned place in the city bearing marks from fire which occurred during allied bombings of Skopje on the eve of September 6, 1944. In the past there was a school in the yard of the church known as the Bulgarian School of Pedagogy.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

English Daniela Konstantinova