PJIU decided to enter the pre-election coalition with the Democratic Party. 

Idris negotiating the agreement

 21.04.2013 

Tirana-PJIU decided to enter the pre-election coalition with the Democratic Party. The decision was taken today by the majority of PJIU which authorized the rescue party chairman Shpetim Idrisi to start negotiations for the June 23 elections.

"Presidency decided to start preparations for the 23 June parliamentary elections, claiming determination of increased parliamentary representation PJIU future composition of Parliament. This will contribute to the sound growth and positive pressure on national issues and in particular to the Cham issue, as well as to strengthen the party for four years showed that developments in key moments of the national cause, failed to intervene decisively stopping abuses strengthening the position of our nation, " said the announcement of PJIU today.

During the PJIU balance work, was assessed for the adoption of Resolution Cham issue, according to the party "for 9 years lain hidden in the Assembly and only drawers forgive positive pressure exerted by members of PJIU, Cham Albanians and the Albanians supporting the national cause, took legal effect.

Shekulli newspaper: http://www.shekulli.com.al/web/p.php?id=21490&kat=87

"Ashton promised Serbia will get EU talks date”

SOURCE: BETA

BELGRADE -- PM Ivica Dačić says he has received assurances from EU's Catherine Ashton that Serbia will get a date for the start of the EU accession talks.

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Catherine Ashton and Ivica Dačić (EU)

Catherine Ashton and Ivica Dačić (EU)
“I asked EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton if Serbia will get a date. Her answer was yes. Ashton said ‘a date goes without saying’,” he told daily Blic.

However, the prime minister said that the date was not a reward for an agreement that was reached by Belgrade and Priština in Brussels.

“Nobody accepted conditions that are not a sufficient guarantee. And when we rejected the agreement, the date was not a priority, it is not now that the agreement is initialed but now it contains what the Serbian side requested,” he explained.

Dačić reiterated that Serbia had not recognized Kosovo by reaching an agreement with Priština.

“Negotiations on Kosovo continue. We have several successful things behind us – we have for the first time received guarantees that some future Kosovo army cannot set a foot in northern Kosovo, that the police and judiciary will consist of Serbs and that the Serbian side will propose three candidates for a regional police commander. The international community was on our side for the first time and this should be a new era in Serbia’s relations with the West,” he was quoted as saying.

Dačić and Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci initialed the 15-point agreement in Brussels on Friday.

Jani Jani resigns from CEC. Is this a signal that is aligned HRUP opposition side?

April 21, 2013,
Written by: Tema Newspaper
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Jani Jani, who had declared that raised his activity in the Central Election Commission, has resigned.

In this way Jani joined by two members left the CEC, Biba and  Pillar, who have resigned from the CEC.

The move is seen as a signal that HRUP, which has proposed Janin, are aligned to the opposition side for a paralektoral cooperation.

"The developments of the last ten days in and out of the CEC, on the one hand with one of the members of the Assembly were fired and two others resigned due to violation of the integrity, independence and the exercise of the member as well as the continuation of the situation and lack of a real and visible reflection of politics and turn failure for not being indifferent to what is also highlighted in the report of the State

Department's "extremely politicized state institutions, including the CEC, are undermining the rights citizens to participate in governance, "give me I impose resignation from office of a member of the Central Election Commission," the statement said Jacks

Dhunohen zyrat e PS ne Cerrik. Tema TV. 20 prill 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3FHSrfDGBC0#!

Albania: Starts the election campaign, under attacks against, parties communal offices. 

Obama - Greece & US Have Always Stood "Side-By-Side"

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By Hellas Frappe on 19.4.13

US President Barack Obama on Thursday night hosted the annual White House reception in honor of Greek Independence Day, which was also addressed by Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America, and Vice-President Joe Biden, while the Greek government was represented by the country's Ambassador in Washington Christos Panagopoulos.

Addressing his 350 guests at the annual White House reception in honor of the 192nd anniversary of the March 25 Greek national Independence Day, which marks the start of the Greek revolution against Ottoman rule on March 25, 1821, Obama noted that the United States and Greece have always stood side-by-side, and stressed the US' solidarity wit Greece for the restructuring of its economy.

Speaking warmly of Greece and the Greek heritage, he said that each year America celebrates Greek Independence Day and the enhancement of the ties between the birthplace e of democracy and the oldest democracy in the world, adding that "we reflect on the ancient Greek principles that inspired our nation's founders to consolidate the authorities of the government in the hands of the people".

He said that the people of the US and Greece have learned the democracy flourishes "when we respect our differences, insist on the principles that unite us, and proceed with a common purpose".

IN his own greeting to the event, Vice-President Biden noted Greece and liberty are identical meanings", and noted the achievements of the Greek-American community, lauding the contribution of the Greeks of the US to the enhancement of Greek-US relations.

Archbishop Demetrios, in turn, noted that "we are at the side of those who fight to strengthen freedom. And we pray that we will all one day see the prevalence of peace, justice and the power of love".

The event was also attended by members of Congress and other government officials of Greek descent, and prominent members of the Greek-American community. (AMNA)

"We secured protection for Kosovo Serbs"

SOURCE: TANJUG

KRUŠEVAC -- Serbia’s President Tomislav Nikolić has said that it was not possible under the given circumstances to reach a better solution in Brussels.


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Tomislav Nikolić (Tanjug)

Tomislav Nikolić (Tanjug)
He pointed out that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo’s independence.

“This was the only possible solution that guarantees a peaceful life for our people and that Kosovo will never be recognized in the UN,” the president said on Saturday.

He stressed that Serbia had managed to secure protection for Serb communities and their rights to run their lives, to have unlimited ties with Belgrade, adding that it was up to citizens to say whether they were satisfied with the solution or not.

“We have come closer to an agreement that neither Serbs nor Albanians would be satisfied with,” Nikolić stressed and once again reiterated that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence.

Belgrade, Priština initial agreement

Source: B92, Tanjug

BELGRADE -- The tenth round of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue is over and Serbian and Kosovo PMs Ivica Dačić and Hashim Thaci have initialed an agreement.

Ivica Dačić and Aleksandar Vučić (EU)

B92 has learned that the ninth point which refers to the police is unchanged while the 14th point that referred to Kosovo’s membership in international organizations has been altered.
B92 has also learned that it is still unknown when and if the agreement will be officially signed.

The agreement has not been made public yet. It is only known that it contains 15 points and that two of them – point 9 that refers to police in Serb-populated areas and point 14 that refers to Kosovo’s membership in international organizations, were especially disputable.

It has been confirmed to B92 that both delegations and Ashton will have a meeting at the NATO headquarters later today.

It is believed that the meeting with NATO will be held because of Serbia’s requests that the Kosovo army must not have access to the north which could only be realized with NATO’s support.

According to Tanjug, the Serbian negotiating team said earlier that it would not discuss an agreement if “the 14th point remains in the agreement and if the ninth point is changed”.

The Serbian delegation includes Serbian PM Ivica Dačić, First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić, Office for Kosovo Director Aleksandar Vulin and President Tomislav Nikolić's advisor Marko Đurić. Deputy PM for European Integration Suzana Grubješić is not a part of the team.

Ashton first held bilateral meetings with Belgrade and Priština’s teams. Her pokeswoman Maja Kocijančič stated around 16:00 that the trilateral meeting was underway.

“Deal possible if no changes are made to proposal”

Đurić stated in Brussels earlier on Friday that the Belgrade-Priština agreement was possible if there were no deviations from the proposal which was on the negotiating table.

“According to the proposal, the community of Serb municipalities will have executive competences, particularly in the terms of police, and it will be able to appoint regional police commander,” he told reporters ahead of the beginning of the tenth round of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue in Brussels.

He said that Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci was continuously manipulating and telling lies regarding the content of the proposed agreement.

“For Priština, the hardest thing is that the agreement which is currently on the table reads that only Serb policemen will be present in north Kosovo, while the Kosovo Security Forces will not be allowed to approach the north without a NATO approval and an agreement of the community of Serb municipalities,” Đurić noted.

“There is hope for the agreement if there are no manipulations and deviations from the proposal which is on the negotiating table,” he stressed.

Disputable parts of draft agreement

Dačić said earlier that Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci had tried to change point 14 so it would oblige the two sides not to block each other in the international organizations.

He said that it would mean that Serbia would have to allow Kosovo to be a member of the international organizations which was unacceptable to Serbia.

Thaci, on the other hand, said that Serbia could state its wishes but that the reality is different.

“In the agreement that Ashton proposed, Kosovo is given the right to be represented in regional and international organizations, to become a NATO member but also the UN,” he noted.

It was announced earlier that the Serbian team’s visit to Brussels would begin with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen but according to new information, the meeting will be held later today.

B92 has learned from NATO that they “cannot rule out a possibility that the meeting will be held” but the Alliance could not say when the meeting could begin.

Rasmussen said on Friday that NATO would do everything “in order to implement a possible agreement”.

Nikolić, Dačić and Vučić on Thursday held consultations and analyzed the last round of the talks that ended without an agreement.

The agreement was not reached at the ninth round because Thaci insisted that the 14th point be changed so Kosovo’s membership in the international organizations would not be blocked. B92 has also learned that Priština had additional conditions regarding the police.

“NATO will support Belgrade-Priština agreement”

Source: B92

BRUSSELS -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says that NATO will do everything to implement an agreement reached by Belgrade and Priština.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Beta, file)

Rasmussen also said that the Alliance supported EU High Representative Catherine Ashton’s efforts to reach an agreement.
“NATO supports the dialogue and we are ready to play our role if an agreement is reached,” he told a press conference.

However, he did not say whether NATO would give guarantees that the Kosovo army would not enter Serb municipalities, which is one of the key requests of the Belgrade delegation in the talks with Prištiina.

Rasmussen said he was in “constant contact with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton”.

“The EU and NATO work closely together and coordinate their moves,” the NATO secretary general stressed and expressed hope that an agreement would be reached “very soon”.

The tenth round of the Belgrade-Priština talks will be held in Brussels today.

Albania in a political turbulence
19/04/2013

Two Council of Europe rapporteurs, the British Jonathan Evans and the Moldavian Grigore Petrenco, expressed their concerns regarding what they call a political turbulence, after the recent developments regarding the Central Election Commission.

"Our visit coincided with a troubled period regarding the Central Election Commission, and institution that not only should be independent and impartial, but that has a decisive role for guaranteeing such elections. We strongly encourage all political parties to come together and resolve the current irregularities with the CEC functionality. These elections are also decisive for evaluating the need to continue the monitoring procedure of the Council of Europe, and also Albania's request for the EU candidate status", Evans declared.

Jonathan Evans said that he has been asked by some CoE politicians to take the role of the referee and resolve the crisis of the CEC, but this is impossible, according to him, since they have only a reporting role.

He underlined that there would be no sense continuing Albania's request for the candidate status while they are still having the CoE procedure. His homologue, Grigore Petrenco, declared that they feel disappointed that there is still no progress with some reforms that should have passed in Parliament.

"We expect progress in the future regarding the requests of the CoE, war against corruption and reinforcing independence for the judiciary. We have heard concerns about the need to establish an independent regulating body for the media, and to protect it from political interferences", Petrenco declared.

The findings of the two reports will be presented in the following days to the Monitoring Committee of the Council in Strasbourg.

Kosovo Serbs urge officials not to sign “detrimental” deals

Source: Beta

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- Representatives of northern Kosovo Serbs have called on top state officials not to sign any harmful agreements in Brussels.

They added that they would not participate in the implementation of agreements that were not in accordance with the Serbian Constitution.
Councilors of Zvečan, Leposavić, Kosovska Mitrovica and Zubin Potok municipalities are holding a joint session which is also attended by Serbian government's Office for Kosovo Deputy Director Krstimir Pantić and Kosovska Mitrovica District Head Radenko Nedeljković.

“Nobody in northern Kosovo wants to participate in the implementation of a possible agreement. Let (Serbian PM) Ivica Dačić come, take the agreement he may sign in Brussels and implement it in Kosovo together with (Kosovo PM) Hashim Thaci,” Pantić pointed out.

He added that he was afraid that today’s round of the negotiations in Brussels could be a D-Day.

“We will not accept anything imposed on us regardless of whether it is by Albanians or the international community. We want to be a part of the EU too, but not as citizens of independent Kosovo but the state of Serbia,” Pantić stressed.

Commenting on Thaci’s statement that he could not do anything that was not in accordance with the Constitution, he said that Serbia’s Constitution was older than Kosovo’s and that everybody had an obligation to adhere to it.

The main topic of the session is the latest round of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue. 92 out of 119 councilors are attending the session.

Zvečan Mayor Dragiša Milović said that nobody had the right to sign an agreement renouncing a part of the territory, an agreement that was contrary to the Serbian Constitution and that was not in accordance with conclusions of the last year’s referendum in northern Kosovo which rejected a possibility of recognizing the Priština institutions.

“What the negotiating team is offered in Brussels is not acceptable to Serbs in Kosovo,” he stressed and expressed concern that the top state officials “will give everything and get nothing” in order to get a date for the start of the EU accession negotiations.

Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić said that Office for Kosovo Director Aleksandar Vulin had told the four mayors at a meeting on Thursday that Serbia had not been offered anything new in the ninth round of the talks and that media reports were just “spinning ideas”.

According to him, Vulin said that he personally would not accept the agreement and that he would continue to fight to keep Kosovo within Serbia together with the Serbian people.

Ristić stressed that councilors of the four northern Kosovo municipalities were organizing a petition to launch a referendum so Serbian citizens could say if they were in favor of Kosovo or the EU “because only the people can decide that”.

The tenth round of the Belgrade-Priština talks will be held today in Brussels.

Resignation crisis at CEC

The situation that has been created at the Central Election Commission, after the resignation of the opposition members, was discussed today between the Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, and all EU diplomats and vice ambassadors accredited in Albania.

While the Parliament was discussing the political crisis, the ambassadors visited the Socialist Party to learn about their views on the situation.

SP sources say that the conversation between Edi Rama and the diplomatic body focused on the recent situation created with the replacement of a CEC member by the government, thanks to three votes given by three former SP members. Rama expressed the opposition's concerns regarding the lack of legitimacy at CEC.

Diplomatic sources say for Top Channel that the SP leader declared that the opposition is unable to replace the CEC members for as long that the Central Election Commission is not legitimate. The ambassadors gave no details about the meeting, but they said that it was about the situation at CEC and the politics in general.

While the EU ambassador, Ettore Sequi, underlined that he hoped that a solution will be found soon for this situation.

Rama: Returning legitimacy to CEC

After meeting with the EU diplomats, the Socialist leader, Edi Rama, met with two rapporteurs of the European Council Parliamentary Assembly.

Rama declared for the media that the opposition wants the return of legitimacy at the Central Election Commission, to give the June 23rd elections the decency that the Albanian people deserves.

"CEC was blown to pieces, and as for us, Berisha can take CEC at his house, and still he won't be a problem for us. This is a problem for the Albanian society and the Albanian people after June 23rd, when despite the fact that we will win, this country will be stained in front of our international partners, with the shame that this majority that is not a real majority caused to this country", Rama declared.

Rama declared that the request to return legitimacy to CEC aims to divide the electoral process from the panic that has now taken the Prime Minister and his family party.

"The solution is well determined by the Electoral Code, the document that makes the rules of the game. It was written and approved with a consensus, which has now been violated completely. The Code clearly states that CEC is not an instrument of the Parliament", Rama declared.

The SP leader declared that with free and fair elections, in full accordance with the international standards, Albania will leave the map of hybrid regimes, and the list of countries that have nothing in common with the Democratic world.

Authorities to decide whether to send delegation to talks

Source: B92

BELGRADE -- The Serbian authorities have received an invitation to take part in a new round of the Kosovo negotiations on Friday in Brussels.

(EU, file)

They will on Thursday evening decide whether to accept it, and if so, whom to send as their negotiating team.
During the day, President Tomislav Nikolić, PM Ivica Dačić, and his first deputy, Aleksandar Vučić, held consultations and analyzed yesterday's round of talks which ended without agreement.

Wednesday's round fell through despite the negotiators being close to an agreement, when Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci insisted on one of the points of the proposed agreement to be tied with Kosovo's membership in international institutions.

Kako saznajemo, Priština je imala i dodatna uslovljavanja i oko tačke 9 koja se tiče policije.

B92 has learned that Priština has further conditions regarding another point, which concerns the police in a future community of Serb municipalities.

The Serbian side now believes that today's invitation to resume talks, sent by the talks' mediator, the EU - came because solutions have been found for the contentious parts of the agreement.

However, the negotiating team, and Vučić in particular, are reportedly viewing the invitation "with reserve", above all because of the "inappropriate atmosphere" during the talks on Wednesday.

Moore: CEC should represent all sides

Published: April 18,2013 - 12:44

Tirana - The official of the U.S. State Department Jonathan Moore expressed concerns for the tense situation in Tirana following the voting that took place in Parliament, resulting with the replacement of a member of the Central Election Commission. After a series of meetings with Albanian politicians, Moore emphasized that there is strong argument that raises questions on the way how parliament voted. "In some of these meetings we have discussed the developments in parliament on Monday, and as it was clear from what our embassy stated, there are several concerns about a change of balance on the CEC formation. We believe that there is a strong legal argument that that raises questions on the way how parliament voted. However, we want to see a functional CEC. If this does not happen, it is impossible to hold elections on June 23. We will see how the process develops. We are very concerned from what we have seen. There is a high level of political tension on the eve of the elections," declared Jonathan Moore, Director of the Office for Southern and Central Europe at the State Department. He said that in other NATO member countries as well there have been cases when elections were jeopardized. "There are also NATO member countries, and sometimes even the United States, when elections have been jeopardized. However, we have all the reasons to think that elections will be held," Moore said. And over this issue, the political leaders have expressed their commitment that they will hold elections on due time and that they will accept the final result. "All of them shared with me their position that they want elections to be held on June 23. All of them said that they will respect the result and will support the great efforts from international observers and that they want to remain partners with the United States of America," Moore said. The U.S. State Department official stressed that the situation will be observed in its entirety, adding that a great number of long-term OSCE observers will come to Albania. He also noted that June 23 elections in Albania will be also discussed in the U.S. Congress. Taulanta Boja

NATO is looking opportunities to send troops in the eve of parliamentary elections in Albania

Albania is close to a new collapse after parliamentary elections may fail, which could oblige NATO to intervene to maintain stability
 

Tirana. NATO is considering military intervention opportunities, maintaining stability in Albania and in the region, after parliamentary elections are going to a failure, as a result of the destruction of the Central Election Commission.

In fact, the warning for a military intervention by NATO, has been a formal proposal of the OSCE mission in Albania, who see the advantages of Albania's political stability.
strategic point in South Eastern Europe, and a phase instability, can also infecting Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro.

Sources close SManalysis, say that the Albanian government has not accepted the installation of NATO troops, although De-fence Minister Arben Imami said that the funds of the Ministry of Defense have been added for this year, as expected installations of American and British troops during 2013.

Greece: 20 migrant workers shot in pay dispute

Source: Tanjug

ATHENS -- More than 20 migrant workers have been shot and wounded in the town of Nea Manolada in the Peloponnese after they demanded overdue wages. 

Around 200 strawberry pickers went on strike, demanding their six months’ unpaid wages and then clashed with three Greek foremen, ANA news agency has reported.

One of the foremen fired shots at the workers and wounded around 20 of them, the Greek police have said.


The site owner was arrested and the police are still looking for the three foremen.

Greece: 20 migrant workers shot in pay dispute

Source: Tanjug

ATHENS -- More than 20 migrant workers have been shot and wounded in the town of Nea Manolada in the Peloponnese after they demanded overdue wages.

Around 200 strawberry pickers went on strike, demanding their six months’ unpaid wages and then clashed with three Greek foremen, ANA news agency has reported.
One of the foremen fired shots at the workers and wounded around 20 of them, the Greek police have said.

The site owner was arrested and the police are still looking for the three foremen.

Albania is a step from the chaos

CEC freezes. Interrupt activity by member HRUP, Jani Jani

Crisis deepens after pleading CEC member of HRUP will not take part in any meeting of the Central Election Commission.

A day earlier gave resignations proposed by SP member.

While today's parliament session is taking place, where they will discuss the replacement of members left the institution.

Jani Jani has been the president of Omonia, the Greek organization in Albania.

Another round of Kosovo talks ends without agreement

 B92, Tanjug

BRUSSELS -- Wednesday's negotiations between the delegations of Priština and Belgrade, under the mediation of the European Union, have ended in Brussels.

(EU)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci first addressed reporters to say that "Serbia rejected the proposal."

According to Tanjug, he added that "Serbia might change its mind in the coming days."

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić then addressed journalists to say that during today's negotiations - which lasted almost 14 hours - Thaci attempted to impose the topic of Kosovo's membership in international institutions.

However, our reporter in Brussels says that both he and Thaci noted that "a solution can be found."

Dačić explained that the membership of Kosovo in international organizations was not a subject of today's talks, but that Thaci attempted to set that as a condition for the resolution of the topics concerning police and judicial powers that should be given to a future community of Serb municipalities.

According to Dačić, "Belgrade was ready to accept an agreement on jurisdictions for the community of Serb municipalities, but Thaci undermined it by linking this to the problem of membership in international organizations, including the United Nations - which our delegation could not accept."

Kosovo's ethnic Albanians in early 2008 unilaterally proclaimed independence, which Serbia rejected as illegal. The EU sponsored talks have been ongoing in a number of rounds since March 2011, with most recent ones focusing on northern Kosovo, where Serbs are the majority population and reject the authority of the government in Priština.

Speaking shortly after midnight on Thursday, Dačić also told reporters that Thaci's interpretation of the outcome of Wednesday's round - that Serbia rejected the agreement - was "utterly unfair."

The Serbian prime minister added that the Belgrade delegation was ready to continue negotiations until all issues have been resolved.

Thaci, on the other hand, said that EU's Catherine Ashton "rejected all suggestions tabled by Serbia", that there was no desire to go back to negotiations "such as Rambouillet", and that, "in 2013, solutions cannot be sought with the head of Vojislav Šešelj."

President Tomislav Nikolić's adviser Marko Đurić spoke for Tanjug to say that negotiations could continue but that no date has been determined.

He accused Thaci of obstructing the talks on Wednesday concerning "the already suggested formulations of EU's high representative Catherine Ashton, which regarded the issues of police".

Đurić also said that Thaci engaged "in open threats of violence."

"Belgrade is ready to talk, but not using the logic of terrorists," Đurić concluded.

Turkish Fighter Jets Violate Greek Airspace Again!

Turkish Fighter Jets Violate Greek Airspace Again!

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By Hellas Frappe on 17.4.13

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The number of violations in Greek airspace in 2013 from Turkish jets are indeed staggering. They frequently cross into Greek air space with the aim of baiting Greek pilots, who follow them until they leave.

On Tuesday four Turkish fighter jets violated Greek air space once again and conducted a low level over several small islets between Chios and Samos.

According to the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, a formation of four Turkish fighter jets, consisting of two F-4 and two F-16, entered the Athens FIR between Chios and Samos at 10:53, and then operated a flight above the island group of Fourni, at 11:06, at an altitude of 1000 and 3000 respectively.

The Turkish planes remained in the Aegean airspace for about 15 minutes before being intercepted by Greek fighter jets.

Albania to return in the process of ethnic identities

Map of Pustec Municipality 

After changing Pustec Municipality name, officially returned by the Albanian government, the names of the eight villages

Pusteci Municipal council decided unanimously to change the names of the eight villages in the municipality, turning to the original ethnic names..

Thus, according to the today, the names of these villages returned as follows:

Zaroshke - Zrnosko

Lajthiza - Leska

Djellas - Shulin

Gollomboç - Glloboçeni

Kallamas - Tuminec

Great Gorica - Gorna Gorica

Small Gorica - Dolna Gorica

The names of these villages have actually been so up in the 70s, but was later changed by the communist system.

Few weeks ago, the Assembly decided unanimously to change the name of the municipality in Pustec Liqenas, upon request of the Macedonian minority living in the municipality.