24 August 2021 Skopje – Economy Minister Kreshnik Bekteshi and the Japanese Ambassador to North Macedonia, Hironori Sawada during Tuesday’s meeting in Skopje positively assessed the development of bilateral relations between the two countries and opportunities to expand cooperation. Skopje – Standard and Poor’s (S&P) global rating agency has confirmed North Macedonia’s credit rating at BB- with a stable outlook. The international agency says the stable outlook reflect the expectations that the projected economic recovery of the country will help in limiting the fiscal and external deficit in 2022, said the Finance Ministry on Tuesday. Skopje — Prime Minister Zoran Zaev hosted the former British PM Tony Blair, who at their meeting said “Open Balkans” was an important initiative antithetical to nationalist agendas. In connecting the region, he said, it would boost business, bringing benefits to citizens of North Macedonia, Albania, and Serbia as well as accelerating the three countries’ EU membership processes. Skopje – Justice Ministry officials held Tuesday a meeting at which the implementation of the Law on Personal Data Protection, which enters into force today, was elaborated. The first six months of the implementation process will focus on education and correctional measures. Skopje – President Stevo Pendarovski on Tuesday attended the central event celebrating the 30-year anniversary of Ukraine’s independence at the Independence Square in Kiev. Skopje – The University Student Assembly of the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM) has announced that there is going to be a combined lecture model for the winter semester of the 2021/2022 school year, meaning it will combine online and in-person classes. Skopje – The British low-cost airliner EasyJet will launch services between Skopje and Geneva starting from November 1. Skopje – The transport of confidential voting materials, including fingerprint scanners, will for the first time at the upcoming local elections take place with police escort. The State Election Commission (SEC) at a session on Tuesday adopted a rulebook for police activities at the elections, which it drafted together with the Interior Ministry. Skopje – German company Dermalog is set to send 200 fingerprint scanners to Skopje on Wednesday. After they undergo customs formalities, they will probably arrive at the offices of the State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday, SEC president Aleksandar Dashtevski told MIA on Tuesday afternoon. Skopje – The film ‘Sisterhood’ directed by Dina Duma and produced by List Production – Skopje had its world premiere on Monday at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic. Athens – Greek citizens who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus will have to pay for tests themselves from September 13, Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Tuesday.