NEWS OF THE DAY: Mijalkov didn’t give orders for wiretapping, Jankulovska didn’t know what she was signing
Former Director of UBK, Sasho Mijalkov, today at the trial for the “Target and Fortress” case, in the part regarding the illegal mass wiretapping, denied that he had given orders for wiretapping. Mijalkov stated that not a single evidence has been submitted for such claims of the prosecution.
He maintained to the thesis that the illegal wiretapping was not performed in UBK, stressing that it could have very easily been wiretapped outside the systems of UBK. Mijalkov, referred to a presentation of an Israeli company, which had claimed that intercepting communications of the mobile telecommunications outside UBK is possible, through the telephone operators.
Former Minister of Interior Gordana Jankulovska also didn’t know what she was signing when in UBK the commission had been formed that destroyed the wiretapping equipment. She said this today before the court when testifying for the Target-Fortress case. Jankulovska is accused in this case precisely in the part regarding the destroying of the equipment, namely, in the part of the “Fortress” case that was later merged with the “Target” case for wiretapping.
STATEMENT OF THE DAY: Pendarovski to Geer: North Macedonia remains strongly committed to the policy of good neighbourliness and regional cooperation
President Stevo Pendarovski today met with the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia, Ambassador David Geer.
At the meeting, views and information on the European perspectives of the Republic of North Macedonia were exchanged, on the possibilities for starting accession talks for EU membership and on the progress of the implementation of the reforms in the direction of fulfilling the European standards, informs the Office of President Pendarovski.
“Full integration of the Western Balkan countries into the European Union is an essential guarantee for further democratic development, stability and prosperity of the region. No member state of the Union should bring into question the European future of our people by imposing irrational demands”, pointed out President Pendarovski at the meeting, adding that only through dialogue and respect for the principles and fundamental values of the European Union and international law can the bilateral differences and challenges be overcome.
FLASH NEWS
Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, Ana Paula Zacarias, outlined that her country, which is holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU until July 1st this year, hopes that the dispute with Sofia will be unblocked and that the first intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia will be held.
VMRO-DPMNE President Hristijan Mickoski and Vice President Aleksandar Nikoloski in Budapest had a working meeting with Prime Minister of Hungary and President of the Fidesz party, Viktor Orban, and also had a working breakfast with Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijijarto.
Republic of Serbia will send aid of at least 8.000 Pfizer vaccines, announced today Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.
The Institute for Transfusion Medicine informs that a total of 802 units of convalescent plasma have been provided for the treatment of patients infected with Covid-19, from a total of 729 donors. 661 patients have been treated with blood plasma so far.
Minister of Education and Science Mila Carovska, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science and the Bureau for Development of Education are intensifying debates this week on the proposed draft concept for primary education. The Minister of Economy today announced that starting from January 21 there probably will be an extension to the working hours of hospitality facilities even after 9.00 pm.
Minister Bekteshi also announced that this year as well the state will continue giving vouchers to low-income workers for vacationing in domestic tourist capacities.
translation: N. Cvetkovska
