FYR Macedonia: Entry Set to Be Changed

Crno I Belo presented by Kaliopi managed to qualify to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest last year noting that it brought an end to the unsuccessful attempts of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. MRT, the broadcaster has decided to keep intact with the formula and go for yet another internal selection, eventually coming up with a duet involving Esma and Lozano but it seems that the main focus of their participation, the actual song entitled “Imperija” has not been met by positive criticism and therefore is set to be replaced according to several people with insider information.

The Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia are set to compete in the second semi-final with Tomorrow performed by Gianluca Bezzina on behalf of Malta. It is said that due to the reaction of the domestic public, a brand new entry is currently being written by Darko Dimitrov and Lazar Cvetkovski. The former does have experience within the Eurovision Song Contest having written the 2006 entry Ninanajna which achieved twelfth place, the best result for the nation at the event. MRT, the broadcaster is yet to confirm this news but the official video has been taken offline. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.

By: Utrinski Vesnik

Source: EscFlashMalta.com

Samaras hails EU’s FYROM decision

European leaders turn down request for talks date as Nimetz set for Athens visit

Reaching an agreement on a name dispute with Athens is key to opening the way for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to join the European Union, Greece’s prime minister stated Friday as reports said a United Nations mediator is expected in the Greek capital with a fresh plan next month.

Speaking after a two-day summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras hailed a decision by EU leaders to reject Skopje’s request to be given a date for the start of membership talks with the bloc.

“There has been a very positive development,” Samaras said. “For the first time, the European Council unanimously decided that the settling of the name issue with Skopje is a prerequisite for accession talks to take place.

“The message to Skopje is clear: They have to take real steps to settle this difference. There are two keys to open the door. They hold one and Europe holds the other.”

Speaking in Brussels, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski voiced his “disappointment” about the decision and blamed Greece for allegedly blocking the Balkan statelet’s EU path. “This is not what our country deserves,” he said.

Meanwhile, reports Friday said the UN’s special mediator in the name row, Matthew Nimetz, will visit Athens in the second week of January to negotiate a fresh proposal. According to sources, the proposed name is not expected to be very different from the one Nimetz put forward in July 2009, which was “Republic of North Macedonia.”

Source: Newspaper “Kathimerini”