Contents Testimonial……………..……….……………………………………………………………..pg. 2 Event - The Independence Day of the Republic of Macedonia………...pg. 3 Special Guest…………..……………………………………………………….…………pg. 4 - 6 Interview with H.E. Dr. Pande Lazarevski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania Romania – Macedonia bilateral relations…………………………….……pg. 7 – 11 Economic Highlights – Business Environment.……….…………..………….pg. 12 Focus on Legal Issues…………………………………….………………….……........pg. 13 Trade Shows in Macedonia…………………………………………...................pg. 14 Focus on Tourist Attractions - Skopje……………………………………..pg. 15 – 17 Cultural Landmarks – Strumica Carnival.…………………….............pg. 18 - 19 Info Macedonia - Studies…..……………..……………………………..………pg. 20 - 28 TESTIMONIAL The first edition of this Bulletin was like a warm and friendly “Welcome” … The second – was like: we’re here, in this pattern ready to provide useful and updated information regarding the bilateral relationship… The third, the current one is meant to strengthen the customary meeting with news about the Republic of Macedonia … and there are many news ready to be read and yet, ready to be materialized into business opportunities. Our constant approach in view to improve the mutual acknowledge is sustained with the professional support of H.E. Mr. Pande Lazarevski – Ambassador of The Republic of Macedonia in Romania, of the Macedonian business community representatives in Romania, of the Romanian companies willing to develop their business in a friendly investment environment as the Macedonia’s one. And yet, I’m certain that the Romanian and Macedonian people, no matter if there is economic involvment, or not, are open to know eachother as part of the great Balkan region community and as part of the European community. We aim to gain even more new readers with every new edition of the Macedonian Bulletin, as there is interesting and diverse information in it, that is why we do believe that every new material or article has to comprise a little bit of “catchy” in terms of information for everyone. In order to accomplish this editing goal, we’ll do our best to capture the interest of our readers weather their interest lies in the economy sector or in any other activity field. We’re here, in this pattern ready to inform, to arise interest, to answer your questions about Macedonia, to make you ask yourself new questions about it. As we are about to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of Macedonia, on September 8th, I have the pleasure to congratulate the brave and proud Macedonian people, as well as all those being linked to the Macedonian spirit – the numerous friends of Macedonia all around the world and here, in Romania ! Happy Anniversary on the National Day ! Aurelian GOGULESCU Honorary Consul of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania President of Prahova County Chamber of Commerce and Industry 2 THE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA The Independence Day in the Republic of Macedonia is celebrated on September 8th. It has been a national holiday since 1991, when a Referendum for Independence took place. The Republic of Macedonia gained its independence from Yugoslavia, where it was a federal state, and became a sovereign parliamentary democracy. On September 8th, 1991, over 95.5% of the 75.8% turnout voters on the Referendum voted for the independence of the Republic Macedonia. “Dear citizens of Macedonia, allow me tonight to you and to all citizens of Macedonia to congratulate the free, sovereign and independent Macedonia! “ …. said the then - President of the Republic of Macedonia Kiro Gligorov on the evening of September 8, addressing the citizens who spontaneously gathered at Macedonia Square in the capital Skopje, to celebrate the successful referendum. The people's will for an independent state was confirmed with the Declaration of the referendum results on September 18, 1991, by the first multi-party Macedonian Parliament. Finally, on 25 September 1991, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Macedonian Parliament. Next, the new Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia was adopted on 17 November 1991. On April 8, 1993, with an acclamation of the UN General Assembly, the Republic of Macedonia was admitted as 181st full-fledged member in the world organization. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ! 3 INTERVIEW, Q & A H.E. Dr. Pande Lazarevski, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA TO BUCHAREST Your Excellency, this year we marked 18 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Romania and the Republic of Macedonia. How do you assess the cooperation between our two friendly countries and future prospects? The bilateral relations between the Republic of Macedonia and Romania are excellent, as proven by the high level official visits between our countries in the past 3 years. The most recent, last July, was the visit of the Minister Corlăţean to Macedonia, when the Agreement on cooperation in the fields of education, science, culture, mass-media, youth and sport between two countries was signed. The good bilateral relations derive from the strong traditional, historical and cultural bonds between the friendly peoples of the two countries. I want to emphasize the importance of the very significant work of the honorary consuls of the Republic of Macedonia to Romania, Mr. Aurelian Gogulescu of Ploiesti and Mr. Radu Mihaescu of Timisoara. In Timisoara, on behalf of the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Relations, recently I officially opened the Honorary Consulate. Diplomacy nowadays is less political, and more economic and cultural. Having this in mind, I consider almost equally important paying attention to political as well as to economical and cultural affairs, not only to the national but also to the local levels, having appreciation both for secular and religious dimension. For this purpose, in addition to having regular communication with the authorities on national level, I also paid visit to all 41 counties across Romania, having meetings with prefects as state authorities on local level, with presidents of the county councils and mayors of the administrative seats of the counties, as local authorities, but also I paid visits and presented respect to the metropolitans and archbishops of the Romanian Orthodox Church. It is important for me to emphasize that Macedonian community in Romania is fully appreciated, that Association of Macedonians in Romania is represented in the Romanian Parliament and that Romanian citizens of Macedonian origin are a real bridge between two countries. However, there is a room for greater enhancement in the bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of economy, in addition to the fields of cultural and academic cooperation that are permanently growing. The economic cooperation between the two countries has not reached yet its true potential. How can the interest for mutual investments be enhanced? The level of economic relations does not yet correspond the high level of cooperation in other areas that we already have. In the past months, for that reason, I had meetings with the authorities of the chambers of commerce on both national and county levels around Romania, as well as with the director of ROMEXPO. The key issue in these talks was deepening and expanding the economic relations. Expectations are that extensive exchange of business information and meetings of businessmen from both countries, including organization of Macedonian-Romanian Business Forums (first will be held in Ploiesti next October), will expand business possibilities and improve economic exchange and mutual investments in two directions and joint, Macedonian-Romanian, approach to third markets. 4 Also, I`m impressed with the economic potential of Romanian economy, with successful companies such as POPECI, DACIA, ASTRA… to mention just few of the companies I have visited so far. What do you consider supportive to stronger economic cooperation between Macedonia and Romania? As step in that direction might be considered a direct communication links between the two countries, as we discussed with the state secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Mr. Manuel Donescu. More precisely, starting low budget direct flight Skopje – Bucharest and charter flight Iasi – Ohrid, as well as bus lines Skopje – Bucharest, Skopje – Craiova and Skopje – Timisoara. In this context, I want to emphasize the importance of the flight connection between Iasi and Ohrid for ecumenical tourism and making easily accessible these two holly places for pilgrims from both countries. Twining town initiatives might bust economic cooperation on local level, too. For that reason, in addition to 5 already established twining town relations between cities from both countries, there are 8 twining procedures in pre-signing stage, and 5 more twining initiatives. I expect the twining town approach to be very supportive for increasing of business contacts and tourist exchange between two countries. I also discussed the perspectives in the field of tourism with the heads of the Romanian National Authority for Tourism and National Association of Tourist Agencies in Romania. Last but not least, for better prospects in economic cooperation, it is important to have information related to tradition, to history and culture, information about economic possibilities and business environment in both countries. For this reason I met the authorities of the Romanian TV and Romanian Radio and I had talks with their Macedonian counterpart.