Latest news with #NorthMacedonian
Budapest Times
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: We want peace; we don't want a new eastern front, and we don't need Ukraine's EU membership
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told the Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest: 'We want a Christian culture, schools on a national foundation, streets and neighborhoods without fear, and we want to be proud of our nations — this is the patriots' plan.' 'We want peace; we don't want a new eastern front, and we don't need Ukraine's European Union membership, either,' he said, adding that fast-tracking Ukraine's accession was 'the convenient pretext for the wartime reorganization of Europe'. Opening the two-day event, PM Orbán said 'many of Europe's and America's strongest, patriotic and sovereigntist leaders' were attending the conference. 'They are the toughest, most committed and most experienced leaders who have been fighting for their homelands in international politics, and who have been subject to multiple attacks, rudeness and smear campaigns … they know that there is no victory without suffering,' he said, adding that if Europe's liberals were to receive 'just half of those attacks … they would run crying and hide behind progressive journalists'. Welcoming participants, PM Orbán highlighted Matt Schlapp, the president of CPAC Foundation. Schlapp, he said, 'recognises central Europe as the source for conservative renewal and realises that what can be done in Hungary on the small scale, could be done big in America.' Referring to Irakli Kobakhidze, the prime minister of Georgia, PM Orbán said he was 'a hero of the international patriotic movement' who had won his country's election 'against the whole liberal world' and achieved 'the greatest GDP growth in the world', while 'twenty percent of his country is under the paw of the Russian bear'. The Georgian PM 'managed to prevent Brussels from forcing Georgia into a war, he would not allow Georgia to become Ukraine's number two,' PM Orbán said. The prime minister called Hristijan Mickoski, his North Macedonian counterpart, a 'captain protecting Europe's southern borders against migration', adding that he had won his country's election 'while the whole of Brussels supported his opponent'. Robert Fico, the prime minister of Slovakia, is 'the toughest of Europe's leaders and has made the greatest comeback', Orban said. Referring to the armed attack against Fico, he said it had been committed by 'a coaxed, incited liberal gang'. PM Orbán greeted Andrej Babis as 'Czechia's former and future prime minister', saying they had worked for years together in Brussels 'against the pro-migration prime ministers'. He said Hungry could not have been made 'a migrant-free country' without Babis's support. PM Orbán called Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain's VOX party, 'a hero' and said patriots in Spain were suffering from 'the most brutal oppression', adding that VOX would be in government 'if competition were fair' in Spain. PM Orbán made a special mention of former Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki, and expressed his support for Karol Nawrocki, the conservative candidate in the upcoming second round of Poland's presidential election. He said developments in Poland were 'unbelievable', with 'Brussels tolerating and supporting the trampling of all European rules and constitutional principles.' He said 'the treatment of Poles and their PiS party' was 'unprecedentedly shameful'. 'The Brussels leadership should step down for that alone,' he added. PM Orbán greeted Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's AfD party, who represents the Europe of Sovereign Nations party group at the conference. Orban added that the group's main opponent was Manfred Weber, whom he called 'Hungarophobic, petty and vengeful'. Referring to Weidel, PM Orbán said, 'it is good to see that there are decent Germans who love their homeland more than Brussels.' Concerning Herbert Kickl, PM Orbán said the post of Austrian chancellor 'was stolen' from the leader of the FPO party. 'Politics is not always fair, but there is a moral balance; the time for Kickl will come and Austria will return to the club of patriots,' he added. PM Orbán also referred to Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch PVV party, saying the politician's life was in 'constant danger' and that he was 'high up in the blacklist of fanatics'. Meanwhile, PM Orbán said that 'the presidency of Donald Trump had brought about a civilizational shift and restored hope to the world'. PM Orbán noted that he had predicted Trump's victory at last year's CPAC Hungary. 'And he won it. Next year there's an election in Hungary. Any further questions?' he said. 'Donald Trump won and the Trump tornado swept through the world,' PM Orbán said, adding that the US president had restored hope to the world. 'We won't drown in a sea of woke and we won't be overrun by migrants,' the prime minister said. 'Donald Trump has restored the hope for normal life and peace,' he said, calling Trump's victory the 'biggest comeback the Western world has ever seen'. 'What a blow to the left,' PM Orbán said, referring to Trump's win, adding that 'Trump has not only returned, he is doing what he pledged to do … I am amazed: is that possible? Is that possible in places other than Hungary?' Orban said. The prime minister said Trump's first one hundred days had been 'a real truth serum' for not only America but the whole of the Western World. He praised Trump for his measures concerning illegal migration, banning the 'gender decrees' and 'critical racism', as well as 'the woke ideology' from the military.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Aberdeen star Bojan Miovski's Girona nightmare could be OVER
THE striker could be on the move again, only a year after he left Scotland ABERDEEN let North Macedonian striker Bojan Miovski leave the north-east for a club record fee last year. The talisman left Scotland for Champions League football with Girona, after the Dons did everything they could to hold on to their star man. 2 Bojan Miovski's Girona career hasn't went as planned so far 2 He left Aberdeen for the Catalan side for a fee of around £6million, Aberdeen's record departure Credit: SNS He earned his move after a stellar spell with Aberdeen, scoring 44 goals in 98 matches, but he had big shoes to fill on the continent. Ukranian forward Artem Dovbyk left Girona for Roma that summer and the former Dons man was brought in to replace the prolific forward. Miovski has not lived up to the high expectations that were set for his move in his debut year though. He has only netted a mere four times for Girona, two of which came against fifth tier side, CD Extremadura, and set up two goals in 25 matches. In the last 10 La Liga matches of the season, the striker only managed 20 minutes of football as his side battled for survival, which has left his future well and truly up in the air. According to AS, Girona chiefs are set for some tough talks in the off-season, with Miovski not excluded from the list. He is under contract until 2028, meaning it won't be easy to find the 25-year-old a new suitor. His transfer value has dropped significantly after his poor season, with the forward now valued at £2.5million, according to Transfermarkt, over £3million less than what he left Aberdeen for. Both Celtic and Rangers were said to be interested when the striker was on Aberdeen's books. Birmingham City were among other clubs outside of the old-firm pair who tried for his signature, before he penned with the Catalan side. Aberdeen's Scottish Cup-winning heroes greeted by thousands on open top bus parade through the city after beating Celtic Girona avoided relegation by just ONE point this season, dropping off from the heights of Champions League the season before. A huge rebuild could be on the cards for the club as they try and climb back up the table next year, and Miovski could very well be one of the players moved on. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Astana International Forum 2025 Opens with Resounding Call for Global Cooperation
Astana, Kazakhstan--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2025) - The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 opened today with a high-level ceremony that set the stage for two days of strategic dialogue and cross-border collaboration. Held under the auspices of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, this year's Forum gathers global leaders to address some of the world's most urgent challenges under the theme "Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: In his opening remarks, President Tokayev emphasized the urgency of restoring multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented world: "The post-war global order is fragmenting. Protectionism is rising. Multilateralism is faltering. In this emerging disorder, the task before us is clear: to preserve cooperation where it still exists, and to restore it where it has broken down... That's what we in Kazakhstan strongly pursue: 'The unity in diversity'." The Forum welcomed several high-profile speakers, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu, and Ban Ki-moon, Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute and former UN Secretary-General. The session was moderated by Julia Chatterley. Reflecting on the progress that Kazakhstan has made, President Kagame noted that "Kazakhstan's prosperity is the reflection of its leadership, resilience and its people." President Siljanovska-Davkova addressed how to resolve current global crises, stressing that, "We need to use the collective wisdom and experience to think fast, or faster, in order to cope with the pressing challenges of our time." Alain Berset emphasized democratic values as central to global security, stating: "We gather here... to discuss security, energy, climate, and the economy. But let us be honest, these cannot be secured if democracy fails." Meanwhile, Ban Ki-moon praised Kazakhstan's role as a convener: "This year's theme reflects the kind of leadership we need today. One that is collaborative, forward-looking, and rooted in shared responsibility." Qu Dongyu highlighted the role of Central Asia and Kazakhstan in ensuring global food security. "Central Asia stands at the crossroad geopolitically, economically, and climatically," he said, adding: "Kazakhstan's territory is 2,800 square kilometres. With proper management, investments and new technologies - Kazakhstan can easily feed 1 billion people worldwide." The agenda featured action-oriented sessions on climate change, energy security, and conflict resolution. In a one-on-one with journalist Tony Barber, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz welcomed growing attention to Central Asia: "Europe is now seeing the need for deeper cooperation with this part of the world." UN-backed discussions were a highlight of the Forum, with the organization serving as a strategic partner. Sessions marked the UN's 80th anniversary and addressed priorities like the Pact for the Future, migration, and water security. A standout was a conversation between CNN's Max Foster and Amy E. Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on migration's role in sustainable development. As day one concluded, AIF reaffirmed its mission to elevate the role of middle powers, reinforce the value of multilateralism, and accelerate practical global solutions. Day two will continue to foster partnerships and dialogue that aim to shape a more stable, inclusive, and interconnected world. Media DetailsCompany: Astana International Forum Email: info@ Website: To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Astana International Forum 2025 Opens with Resounding Call for Global Cooperation
Astana, Kazakhstan--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2025) - The Astana International Forum (AIF) 2025 opened today with a high-level ceremony that set the stage for two days of strategic dialogue and cross-border collaboration. Held under the auspices of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, this year's Forum gathers global leaders to address some of the world's most urgent challenges under the theme "Connecting Minds, Shaping the Future." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: In his opening remarks, President Tokayev emphasized the urgency of restoring multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented world: "The post-war global order is fragmenting. Protectionism is rising. Multilateralism is faltering. In this emerging disorder, the task before us is clear: to preserve cooperation where it still exists, and to restore it where it has broken down... That's what we in Kazakhstan strongly pursue: 'The unity in diversity'." The Forum welcomed several high-profile speakers, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General Qu Dongyu, and Ban Ki-moon, Chair of the Global Green Growth Institute and former UN Secretary-General. The session was moderated by Julia Chatterley. Reflecting on the progress that Kazakhstan has made, President Kagame noted that "Kazakhstan's prosperity is the reflection of its leadership, resilience and its people." President Siljanovska-Davkova addressed how to resolve current global crises, stressing that, "We need to use the collective wisdom and experience to think fast, or faster, in order to cope with the pressing challenges of our time." Alain Berset emphasized democratic values as central to global security, stating: "We gather here... to discuss security, energy, climate, and the economy. But let us be honest, these cannot be secured if democracy fails." Meanwhile, Ban Ki-moon praised Kazakhstan's role as a convener: "This year's theme reflects the kind of leadership we need today. One that is collaborative, forward-looking, and rooted in shared responsibility." Qu Dongyu highlighted the role of Central Asia and Kazakhstan in ensuring global food security. "Central Asia stands at the crossroad geopolitically, economically, and climatically," he said, adding: "Kazakhstan's territory is 2,800 square kilometres. With proper management, investments and new technologies - Kazakhstan can easily feed 1 billion people worldwide." The agenda featured action-oriented sessions on climate change, energy security, and conflict resolution. In a one-on-one with journalist Tony Barber, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz welcomed growing attention to Central Asia: "Europe is now seeing the need for deeper cooperation with this part of the world." UN-backed discussions were a highlight of the Forum, with the organization serving as a strategic partner. Sessions marked the UN's 80th anniversary and addressed priorities like the Pact for the Future, migration, and water security. A standout was a conversation between CNN's Max Foster and Amy E. Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on migration's role in sustainable development. As day one concluded, AIF reaffirmed its mission to elevate the role of middle powers, reinforce the value of multilateralism, and accelerate practical global solutions. Day two will continue to foster partnerships and dialogue that aim to shape a more stable, inclusive, and interconnected world. Media DetailsCompany: Astana International Forum Email: info@ Website: To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
EU presses North Macedonia to make ‘era-defining' decisions for membership
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — The European Union's top foreign policy official on Friday urged North Macedonia to take 'era-defining' decisions to advance its bid for EU membership. Speaking in the capital Skopje alongside Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas reaffirmed the bloc's support but stressed that progress depends on multiple domestic reforms. 'The road to membership is not easy, so my message today is to stay on the course and to take next steps necessary towards the opening of the negotiations,' Kallas said. 'North Macedonia faces era-defining choices for its citizens and its future.' Key among those steps is a constitutional amendment to formally recognize a Bulgarian minority — a condition set by EU neighbor Bulgaria to lift its veto of North Macedonian membership. The issue has become a political flashpoint in North Macedonia, where the conservative government insists that EU accession should not be affected by bilateral disputes. Although the European Union has not accepted any new members since Croatia's accession in 2013, the war in Ukraine and concerns for broader European stability have refocused efforts to advance membership bids. 'The integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is the best recipe for peace and security,' Kallas said. 'We are ready to support North Macedonia in strengthening the rule of law, fighting corruption, and modernizing public administration.' North Macedonia and Albania began membership talks with the EU in 2022 after years of delays, largely driven by Bulgaria's veto over cultural and historical disagreements with Skopje. Albania has since moved ahead in the process. Mickoski reiterated his position that Bulgaria must first approve North Macedonia's membership before any constitutional change. 'We belong in the EU not because someone owes it to us, but because we've built a democracy based on European values,' the prime minister. 'We expect fair treatment and consistent leadership from the Union.' Kallas' visit to Skopje was part of a broader two-day tour of the Western Balkans. Six regional countries are at various stages of EU accession. Montenegro and Albania lead the process, while Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, and North Macedonia lag behind.
