Macedonia and the EU

Latest business news about Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the European Union

• Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia country profile

Macedonia seizes 22 kilos of heroin, detains four — 11 February 2012, 23:32 CET

Macedonian police seized some 22 kilogrames (48.4 pounds) of EU-bound heroin, worth up to three million euros (four million dollars), and detained four smugglers, a minister said on Saturday.

Macedonia appeals to Greece to stop blocking EU accession — 28 November 2011, 17:22 CET

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski appealed Monday to Greece's new unity government to support the opening of EU accession talks for Macedonia despite a long-running name row.

Skopje hopes new Greek government can unblock name row — 10 November 2011, 17:29 CET

Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said Thursday that he hoped that Greece's new government will end a stalemate in solving a decades-long name row between the two neighbours.

Macedonia calls EU to announce Greece bankruptcy — 14 October 2011, 20:17 CET

Macedonia's Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski called on the European Union Friday to announce bankruptcy for Greece as the border between the two uneasy neighbours was closed for vehicle traffic.

Macedonia urges Greece to settle name row — 10 October 2011, 20:52 CET

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov Monday called on Greece to put aside "history" and settle a ongoing name dispute with Skopje to help speed up the Western Balkan country's bid to join the EU.

Macedonia celebrates 20 years of independence — 08 September 2011, 23:28 CET

About 100,000 Macedonians crowded into the centre of the capital Skopje Thursday to celebrate 20 years of the former Yugoslav republic's independence.

New optimism on Macedonia name row: EU commissioner — 05 September 2011, 17:38 CET

The EU's enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele on Monday said he felt that Macedonia and Greece are closer to resolving a long-running name row that has blocked Skopje's entry to the bloc.

Bulgaria to share tips with Macedonia on EU, NATO bids — 01 September 2011, 19:03 CET

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov pledged Thursday to help Macedonia on its road to joining the European Union and NATO, by sharing Sofia's own lessons.

Macedonians back ruling party in snap polls — 06 June 2011, 10:46 CET

Macedonia's ruling coalition is set to win snap parliamentary polls, expected to set Skopje back to the track towards membership in the European Union and NATO.

Macedonia ends election campaign with EU in mind — 04 June 2011, 14:00 CET

Macedonia's political parties wrapped up late Friday their campaigning for snap elections this weekend, promising voters a fast pace of reforms that would lead the tiny Balkan country into the European Union.

Macedonia gears for polls in hope for EU future — 02 June 2011, 13:43 CET

Macedonia stages a snap election Sunday to hand a new government the task of tackling a 30 percent unemployment rate and speed up its goal of European Union membership, stalled by a name row with Greece.

EU proposes restoring visas over abuses — 22 May 2011, 22:57 CET

The European Commission said on Friday that it will propose this coming week to temporarily restore visa requirements for citizens from countries that abuse the system.

Hungary pledges support for Macedonia's EU entry — 12 May 2011, 13:29 CET

Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban on Thursday pledged his support for the early opening of European Union accession talks with Macedonia, blocked for six years over a name dispute with Greece.

Macedonia plans snap polls in June: prime minister — 30 March 2011, 17:05 CET

Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said on Wednesday he will propose early elections in the former Yugoslav republic to be held on June 5 in a bid to end the current political stalemate.

Skopje ready to resolve name row with Greece: minister — 09 March 2011, 18:25 CET

Macedonia is ready to solve its long-lasting name dispute with Greece despite possible early elections in the coming months, a top official said Wednesday.

Nine arrested in Macedonian illegal arms workshop: police — 04 March 2011, 23:46 CET

Macedonian police said Friday it had uncovered an illegal arms workshop and arrested nine people suspected of preparing and smuggling arms to European Union countries.

Rejected asylum-seekers return to Macedonia from France — 17 February 2011, 22:25 CET

A group of 93 Macedonians returned from France on Thursday after being denied asylum there, private TV station Alsat reported.

Slovenia urges Greece, Macedonia to resolve name dispute — 15 February 2011, 15:37 CET

Slovenian President Danilo Turk urged Greece and Macedonia Tuesday to resolve their long-running dispute over the use of the name Macedonia before the end of this year.

Delegation of the European Commission to FYR of Macedonia — 26 January 2010, 23:05 CET

Contacts of the European Commission delegation in Skopje.

IPA Regional Development Operational Programme in the FYR of Macedonia — 26 January 2010, 23:05 CET

The overall objective of the "Regional Development" programme is to support the sustainable development of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, through the improvement of transport and environment infrastructure. To this end, the programme will implement three operational priorities and one technical assistance priority.

Starting a business in FYRM — 26 January 2010, 23:58 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in the FYR of Macedonia.

FYR of Macedonia Investment Climate — 26 January 2010, 23:57 CET

As a small, open economy, the FYR of Macedonia continues to take active steps to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). The country has enacted legislation that not only ensures an equal footing for foreign investors vis-à-vis their domestic counterparts, but also provides numerous incentives to attract such investment. Even before gaining full membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in April 2003, Macedonia consistently provided national treatment to foreign investors. The country has concluded a number of bilateral investment protection treaties and other multilateral conventions that impose stricter protection standards for foreign investors.

FYR of Macedonia: Economy Overview — 20 December 2010, 16:31 CET

Having a small, open economy makes the FYR of Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth.

EU Enlargement Process - progress reports on the candidate countries: Croatia, Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - key findings — 14 October 2009, 14:34 CET

The European Commission has adopted its annual strategy on EU enlargement. The Communication highlights the progress the Western Balkans and Turkey made towards European integration during a difficult year of global economic crisis, and spells out the main challenges facing them in the months and years to come. In the light of the progress achieved, the Commission decided to recommend the opening of negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In a major step forward for the region, visa liberalisation for the Western Balkans will progress substantially in 2010.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia country profile — 27 January 2010, 00:05 CET

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia became independent in 1991 as part of the break up of Yugoslavia. FYROM is a candidate for membership of the European Union.