Behind the scenes: Chinese influence in North Macedonia
(Main photo: Commercial for the Belt and Road Initiative in one of the Macedonian trains purchased from China reading “Speed up the Belt initiative, Charming Macedonia")
It took North Macedonia only a few years to dramatically change its bilateral relationship with China. In 1999, it...
Zero benefits for Albania from China’s Belt and Road Initiative
In 2017, Albania signed a cooperation agreement with China in the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It was conceived as an attempt to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, production capacity, tourism, and agriculture. Six years later, very little...
The state of online free expression worldwide in 2022
"From internet shutdowns, crackdowns on expression and closed-door partnerships to attempts to restrict anonymity and end to end encryption, in many places, digital rights are under threat," writes IFEX.org in this article republished by Meta.mk. This statement was originally published by the IFEX member Electronic...
Мacedonian and Bulgarian university with a historic Russian connection will “produce” MAs in Sveti Nikole
The result of the public-private partnership between the State Bulgarian University from Veliko Tarnovo “Ss. Ss. Cyril and Methodius” (VTU) and the Macedonian private International Slav University (MSU) is the offer of master studies for Macedonian students taught by Bulgarian professors. Apart from educational...
The construction of the 5G network brings the demise of the Chinese domination in North Macedonia’s telecommunications
“Makedonski Telekom” (Macedonian Telecom) and “A1 Makedonija” (A1 Macedonia) telecoms are currently modernizing their complete mobile telephony infrastructure and working on the implementation of their 5G networks in North Macedonia. Unlike all the previous instances of a technological makeover, North Macedonia as a member...
While the citizens of North Macedonia breathe pollution, diesel consumption breaks all records [Infographic]
The “competition” of Skopje and the other cities in North Macedonia in breaking the world records for air pollution has commenced. While the data from “Iqair” indicates that Skopje is at the top of the world list of air pollution, together with the Asian...
Government of NMacedonia’s promise to help the municipalities procure new waste containers and bins is partially fulfilled
The Government of the Republic of North Macedonia's Programme for Work for the period 2020-2024, promises that by the end of 2024, the government will provide direct support for the procurement of 10,000 bins and containers annually for the municipalities, as help towards protection...
Government of North Macedonia didn’t introduce the promised environmental stickers for vehicles
In late 2018, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia promised it will introduce environmental stickers for categorization of the pollution the vehicles cause, with a set deadline for implementation in 2019 and 2020. The promise written in the Program for Reducing Air...
Buying Russian gas through a Bulgarian gas pipeline – so far the best solution for the tepid radiators in Skopje
So far, the Government of North Macedonia doesn't have any stable option for buying gas for the central heating system in the capital Skopje, apart from purchasing gas from the Russian state company Gazprom through the gas pipeline from Bulgaria to Kumanovo. But, seeing...
The young aren’t a priority for the municipalities – the implementation of the Law on youth participation in North Macedonia insufficient
Expired deadlines and complacent municipalities - this is how the implementation of the Law on youth participation and youth policies in North Macedonia can be described in brief.
Only 12% of the municipalities in North Macedonia have formed local youth councils, although they were obliged...
In NMacedonia, state institutions without web sites and social networks presence, but with press officers “who are on vacation”
The levels of transparency and accountability of the state institutions in North Macedonia vary widely. Some of the state organs rank high on the list of accountable institutions, and are even among the best in the region, while others are at the bottom of...
High price for the highways loan, China remains in North Macedonia constructing even with European money
North Macedonia obtained a loan from the Exim Bank of China for the construction of the highways Kičevo - Ohrid, and Miladinovci - Štip, and now we are repaying the loan installments expensively due to the record strengthening of the US dollar against the...
North Macedonia: Abuse of personal data of mobile phone subscribers in marketing campaigns
The holidays always represent an opportunity for sales companies to conduct various marketing campaigns for their products. So, they will often call "by random choice" potential customers to offer vouchers and attractive discounts. But it isn't clear how they manage to find the subscribers'...
The Western Balkans will need unity and cooperation across society to overcome press freedom challenges
In times of war and global polarization the Western Balkans region is divided along the lines of current polarizing forces. Disinformation campaigns, hate speech, physical attacks, threats, low income, poor economic status, divisions, self-censorship and job insecurity are the main challenges that the regional...
No shelter centers for abused women in North Macedonia’s Polog region – victims get refuge in other cities
“Violence against women” is understood as a violation of human rights and a
form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender‐based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women,...
Russian Propaganda in Macedonia in 2018: “United Macedonia” as a “Pawn” of “United Russia”
The recent expulsion of five Russian diplomats is not the first expulsion of Russian diplomats from Macedonia. For the first time, Macedonia expelled a Russian diplomat in 2018, when not only the intensified Russian propaganda influence was noticeable, but also an attempt for Russian...
The Russian scientific, educational and cultural cobweb in North Macedonia
The cobweb of Russian influence in North Macedonia is also being built through science, education and culture. This is achieved by placing topics related to scientific, cultural and educational, as well as a religious community with Russia, joint appearances and celebrations of important dates...
Analysis of narratives in news comments
As part of the program Regional Initiative to Combat Disinformation, it is our great pleasure to present you the first analyses of fake news and disinformation narratives.
You can download the document here „Analysis of narratives in news comments“.
We must remain united for our values and for peace in Europe
Russia’s unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack on Ukraine has shocked the world. As we see the images of bloodshed and destruction, attacks on apartment blocks and residential streets, we also remember the lives lost and the damage done in the horrors of other conflicts...
Truthmeter.mk: Agency for management of confiscated property operates at half capacity
The Agency employs 45 people, half of whom are security guards. According to the systematization, there should be 75 employees. Thousands of vehicles are awaiting court rulings. The value of the confiscated property is an indicator of the (non)functioning of the anti-corruption system, writes...
