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In Pictures: Skopje’s New Square Takes Shape
A square overlooked by a giant 29-metre tall bronze statue of the warrior king Philip of Macedon is taking its final shape in the centre of the Macedonian capital.
Politics and Society
Amnesty Lists Rights Failings in Balkans in 2012
The Amnesty International Report for 2012 listed war crimes prosecutions and discrimination against sexual and ethnic minorities as among the most pressing rights issues in the Balkans.
Tour Operators Cash in on Tito Legend
Tour operators across the former Yugoslavia have spied a lucrative and very capitalist opportunity in the cult surrounding the old Socialist dictator.
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Brussels Delays Debate on Serbia, Macedonia Talks
EU Foreign Ministers have postponed a discussion on start dates for Macedonian and Serbian accession talks.
EU Threat to Visa Regime Worries Macedonia
In a bid to head off moves to reassess the visa-free regime, Macedonia says the number of asylum seekers in the EU from the Balkans is falling.
Probe of Government's ‘Skopje 2014’ Revamp Begins
Anti-corruption fighter Slagjana Taseva has been appointed head of a municipal review commission to probe the financing of the government-sponsored revamp of Macedonia's capital.
Business
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Macedonia Starts Construction of First Wind Farm
Macedonia’s state-owned power utility company ELEM has begun the construction of the country’s first wind farm in an investment worth 55 million euro.
McDonald’s Restaurants Shut Down in Macedonia
All the McDonald’s fast-food restaurants in Macedonia have closed because the local company that operated the franchise has lost its licence for reasons which are as yet unknown.
Macedonia Brings Back ‘Patriotic’ Receipts
After the constitutional court scrapped them five years ago, the government is re-introducing so-called ‘patriotic’ receipts - which show consumers how much they spent on local products in shops.
Macedonia Overspend Blamed on Elections
Experts advise belt-tightening in Macedonia after data revealed a drastic overspend in the first quarter of the year, attributed mainly to the local elections.
Norwegians Bid to Build Macedonian Tramway
Only one firm has shown interest in constructing a long-awaited tram network for Skopje in partnership with the city, at an estimated cost of 240 million euro.
Culture and Lifestyle
Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro Fail to Qualify for Eurosong
All Balkan contestants in the semi finals on Tuesday failed to qualify for Eurosong. Macedonia and Albania are still hoping they will qualify on Thursday show in Malmo.
Balkan Contestants Gear Up For Eurovision
Performers from Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia will take to the stage for the first semi-final of Eurovision 2013 on Tuesday, closely watched by the glitzy song contest’s Balkan fans.
Foltin and the Art of Private Folklore
The band from Bitola describe their approach to music as an irrational process of creating a ‘private folklore’ out of their impressions and dreams, and their latest album as a tonic for apathy and depression.
Turks Bewitch The Balkans With Their Addictive Soaps
Turkish soaps have replaced Latin American shows as must-sees for many TV viewers in the Balkans - tapping into nostalgia for a system of family values that people in the region have lost, and lament.
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Sculptors Earn Fortunes From Revamp of Skopje
A recent report reveals the millions of euro paid in fees to the sculptors involved in the revamp of the capital called "Skopje 2014".
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Boosting the Balkans’ Progress Towards the EU
Ten years after the Thessaloniki summit, the EU enlargement process for the western Balkans needs an injection of new energy.
Foltin and the Art of Private Folklore
Latest Blogs
Balkan Stoics and the Art of Survival
One problem with the Balkans is that it doesn’t have an ideology. Instead, people get by on a form of misconstrued stoicism.
Figure in Focus
Talat Xhaferi: Macedonia's Controversial Defence Chief
A row has erupted over the appointment of former ethnic Albanian rebel commander turned politician Talat Xhaferi as Macedonia’s new defence minister.
Key Political Parties
Key political Parties in Macedonia
The main political players are divided into two ethnic blocs. Macedonians traditionally choose the party that forms the government. The Albanian camp produces its own champion, which is then usualy asked to join the government as a junior partner.
