Turkey and the Czech Republic ratify the NATO Accession Protocol
With the ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol by the Czech Republic and Turkey, there are eight more countries remaining that in their parliaments should give a green light for Macedonia’s membership in the Alliance.
Kate Mary Byrnes is new US Ambassador to the country
Kate Mary Byrnes is the new US Ambassador to the country, replacing Jess Baily. She has handed over the Letter of Credentials to President Stevo Pendarovski.
She vowed to promote stability through strong institutions and to support efforts in the fight against corruption. Out soldiers serve side by side on the battlefield, just as our leaders are working together for a prosperous North Macedonia, said Byrnes at the ceremony in the Villa Vodno, stressing that she is pleased to be able to learn about the diversity, dynamic culture and the history of our country.
Sead Kocan falls ill
Businessman Sead Kocan who was supposed to pack for prison “Idrizovo”, as on July 17 he is to report for serving a prison sentence of 4 years and 8 months, has been hospitalized for treatment.
Kocan informed the Criminal Court today of his health condition, but has still not submitted a new request for postponing the execution of the sentence. Kocan is seeking salvation from serving a prison sentence also in the Supreme Court, where he is requesting extraordinary re-re-examination of the verdict for the case “Trust”.
Demands for unblocking the media reforms
The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), the Council of Media Ethics of Macedonia (СМEМ), the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNМ) and the Macedonian Institute for Media are seriously concerned about the complete standstill in the procedure for the election of members of the Council of the Media Regulator and the Program Council of the Macedonian Radio Television.
We urge the President and members of the Committee on Elections and Appointment Issues in the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia to start the process for election of members of these bodies. Any obstruction or prolonging of the process will seriously affect the implementation of the process of media reforms in the country.
Dehran Muratov
