Report
Fundamental Freedoms II - Statement by the Greek Delegation, in Exercise of Its Right of Reply
Mr. Moderator, We heard this morning four statements with regard to the situation in my country. My delegation is of course happy to respond to all allegations made by NGOs.
Report
OSCE Implementation Meeting - Fundamental Freedoms II - Statement by the Greek delegation
1. I would like to mention some recent developments furthering protection of the freedom of religion in my country: - A law allowing cremation of the deceased has been adopted; - a legislative provision, providing that the opinion (of a non-binding character) of the local Orthodox Bishop was to be ...
Report
OSCE Implementation Meeting - Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion or Belief - Statement of Rainbow
Mr. Moderator, ladies and gentlemen. Everyone can easily understand that one of the most fundamental principles of a democratic state should be freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.
Report
OSCE Implementation Meeting - Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, National Minorities - Statement by the Greek Delegation, in exercise of its Right of Reply
1. My delegation requested to exercise its "right of reply” to a statement made by the distinguished representative of the United States of America, who mentioned the existence of "Albanian, Macedonian and Turkish” minorities in Greece. The views contained therein are erroneous, misleading and suggest an unwarranted severity of the situation in my country.
Promotion of the Macedonian Language Primer at the Annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting
The Greek ambassador to the OSCE, Mr Haralambos G. Manesis became the first representative of the Greek state to officially receive yesterday a copy of the Macedonian Primer "Abecedar”, during the annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw. This initiative of EFA-Rainbow comes as an answer to the recent ...
USA Calls On Greece to Respect Macedonian Minority
Source: Makfax The United States of America has called upon Greece to respect the rights of its Macedonian, Albanian and Turkish minorities. This was reported on Friday by Greek newspaper Eleftherotypia, stating that this stance has provoked a severe reaction by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bulgaria Deliberately Postponing Registration of Macedonian Party
Source: A1 TV The Bulgarian authorities have violated the deadline during which they should decide on the registration of the OMO Ilinden PIRIN [United Macedonian Organization-Party of Economic Development and Integration of the Population]. Instead of on 20 October, one month after the party of Macedonians submitted the documents required for its registration, the court will reach a verdict on 10 November.
Ethnic Macedonian Political Party in Bulgaria Set to Register and is Positive on EU Accession
Source: Eurolang The ethnic Macedonian political party in Bulgaria, OMO Ilinden Pirin, has made a decisive step towards its legitimization and official registration with the Bulgarian courts after collecting 5,000 signatures. This is the amount required by Bulgaria as a precondition for any political party that wants to be legal and active in national elections.
Macedonian Abecedar re-published in Greece after 81 years
Source: Makfax The Macedonian-language primer entitled Abecedar, which was published in Athens in 1925 as a result of recognition of Macedonian ethnic minority after the World War I, was re-published in Greece. The re-publication of the Abecedar, which actually never reached the children of the Macedonian national minority in Greece, was wrapped up recently in Thessaloniki, Skopje's Dnevnik daily said.
Greece and Bulgaria Fail to Comply on National Minority Rights Says Catalan MEP
Source: Eurolang Greece and Bulgaria are continuously failing to comply with international accords concerning human rights and protection of ethnic and linguistic minorities, while historic-based propaganda is used to justify the hostile attitude of both states towards their Macedonian minorities.