Macedonia Press Review – February 16, 2012

DNEVNIK
Greek and Macedonian experts are skeptical about the upcoming visit to the region of the UN mediator in the Greece-Macedonia “name” dispute, Matthew Nimetz. The say the visit of Skopje and Athens set for later this month will hardly bring any breaktrough in the long standing process. At the moment Greece is preoccupied with its own economic hardship and the austerity measures, observers argue. On top of that recent statements from the Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski that were deemed as being hard line on the name issue additionally dampens hope.  Greece insists that the name Macedonia used by its neighbor implies territorial claims against its own northern province called the same. Citing the “name” dispute Greece is blocking Macedonia’s bids to join NATO and EU.

UTRNSKI VESNIK
The daily looks at politicians who have the longest terms as part of the government cabinets in the past two decades of independence.  Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski is leading with 9, 5 years. After spending a four year term as Finance Minister, he is now using his sixth year as PM. Behind him is the opposition leader Branko Crvenkovski who spent 8 years as PM. However, Crvenkovski has longer overall political experience as well as one five year term as Head of State.

Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.