♪ >> hello and a very warm welcome to "european journal," coming to you from dw studios in brussels. here is what is coming up -- under restriction. why freedom of travel does not apply to all macedonians. in transit -- a route between europe and africa. and to guide -- -- to god in siberia. serbia and macedonia are struggling to find out what the eu wants. both countries are struggling to become members of the european union and both are doing all they can to fulfil the

conditions set up by brussels, but both seem to be going a little bit over the top in their ambitions. three years ago, the eu drop the set requirements for serbia and macedonia. the move was supposed to help the balkan states in their harmonization process, but it is increasingly testing the nerves of the west. countries like germany are registering a rising number of asylum seekers from the balkans. they want the countries to act, and they do -- with drastic met -- drastic measures. >> the family are back home in the macedonian capital. taking advantage of travel restrictions, they lived in italy for a summer without a visa, but he wanted more. he wanted to work for relatives in italy, even though he did not have a work permit. >> we knew that it was not legal, but we still decided to go there. there is no work for me here.

>> at first, things went well for the family in italy. he found a job, but after his son was born, italian officials realized that he had exceeded the three-month stay granted to tourists. he and his family were deported. at the border, macedonian officials made marks in his identification. now, and he would be apparent to all that saw it that the family had run into problems in the midwest. behind his house are the slums, mainly inhabited by roma. if you have to escape the poverty here and now work in eu countries. -- a few. some profit from the misery of others. a travel agency sells trips to western europe with the promise of a better future there. people here hope it will be their ticket out of poverty. increasingly, serbian and

macedonian citizens are seeking asylum in eu member states. their applications are rejected, but people still apply as they receive financial and medical aid right away, but now macedonian border guards are preventing roma and ethnic albanians from leaving the country to prevent them from seeking asylum in the eu. >> i wanted to go as a tourist for four days but was turned back by our border guards. they kept my right, though -- my ride, though. i have a daughter in belgium and a brother in italy, and i cannot go there to see them. >> she believes the marks mean she will no longer be allowed to leave macedonia. we made inquiries at the ministry of the interior and spoke to an official responsible for macedonia close the border police. politicians were reluctant to

discuss the matter on camera. >> we have an action plan with various preventative measures by the interior ministry. to prevent macedonian citizens from seeking asylum in the eu. >> this is the image macedonia wants to project. here downtown, large building projects reflect the republic's proud history. macedonia wants to establish closer ties with western europe and fears the eu might real employment visa requirements if it does not solve the be set -- the requirement problem. >> we are not penalizing citizens who have been deported from the eu. those seeking asylum, for instance. their passports are being revoked for one year.

>> taking away passports just like in the communist era. a former judge at the european court of human rights says it is a breach of human rights. >> this is discrimination. this is a problem. this happened suddenly, so maybe it was not enough time to reform, but this is not an excuse. >> in the south of the country, macedonian borders with albania. from here, people can take a ferry to italy and into the eu. brussels is putting pressure on macedonia to hand out information sheet that the borders, which explained that freedom of travel does not automatically include a right to work in other countries. there are a few brochures on her and of the border, but the only explain about traffic regulations. off-camera, officials tell us they have handed out all the

others and have not received any more. in southern macedonia, it is teeming with tourists, many of them from eu countries. for years, the government in macedonia promised its people the freedom of travel would give the same rights as the use citizens, but it seems not all macedonian citizens are giving -- given the freedom to enjoy them. >> freedom of travel counts among the major achievements of the european union. no border patrol and free travel between several european countries. most europeans would probably say freedom of travel is one of the biggest advantages of the eu. europeans havealways been on the road from one location to the next, but some roads have literally shaped a continent. in our summer series, journeys in europe, we are on the european route e-15 this week.

it runs through western europe. you will have to take the ship to cross the channel of course, but other than that, it is pretty much a straight tarmac line from scotland high up in the north via london and paris along the mediterranean coast down to the southernmost tip of spain. more than 3,600 kilometers overall. down in the far south, it becomes a place of encounter between europe and africa. >> it is an arduous journey south. the heat melts the asphalt on the highway between valencia and gibraltar. at the age of two, this young traveller is enjoying it hit stop along the way. he and his grandparents are on their way from barcelona to visit relatives. >> in some families his behalf, siblings do not see each other

for 20 or 30 years. they do not want to. but you can always visit. we are going to my sisters. she is a lot older than me. knows? it could be the last time i get to see her. >> the family takes the road toward a popular destination for vacationers. but many of the fullest cars are carrying moroccan immigrants, who are making the long journey back home from france and spain. abdallah and his family are visiting relatives as well. >> i used to have work, but not anymore. that is why i collect things to sell in morocco. people in africa want more modern stuff. in one trip, i earn between 1000 and 1500 euros.

>> travel season also keeps still be busy. she works for the transport authority and instructs drivers had to get to the ferry terminals. 2.5 million moroccans head home every summer, and she is there to make sure they do not miss their vote. she has seen a lot, including one curious would be stolen. >> one morning, when my co- worker and i opened the books, we found a baby toys. we had to laugh. it had come from the desert, so it was trying to grow down. >> the landscape along the road is like a desert, too. the temperature has hit 43 degrees. further south, the e-15 route leads straight along the coast. a fresh sea breeze makes the heat more bearable -- terrible and the highway narrows into a

two-lane road. -- makes the heat more bearable. santiago runs a roadside restaurant here the family business has flourished but plans to expand the route into a highway could change that. >> for business owners like us to make a living from the local road, it is good if things stay as they are, but it is not good for the region overall. a motorway would help connect us to other places, but it would scare off tourists. they visit once and never come back. >> construction of the highway has ground to a halt due to planning problems. >> the ground is unstable. bc is eroding the coastline. these brand-new tunnels will have to be rebuilt. >> it is never a dull moment, even in the middle of the night.

many moroccans headed south spend the night sleeping outside. by then, the temperature has dropped to 55 degrees. the travelers have a long day ahead of them. the next stop is the ferry terminal on the strait of gibraltar. they have profited from the string of southbound travelers. he cannot find work as an electrician, so he cleans rest stops on the weekend. >> weekly in here every day. otherwise, there would be trash everywhere. >> people want everything to be clean. i was in germany, and everything there looks really well kept. we try to keep the place here clean, too.

>> vacationers from france, germany, and the netherlands travel thousands of kilometers to visit, but for many spaniards, the holiday budget only stretches so far. maria and her family lived in madrid, but they have come on a two-week camping trip. she is hoping for a safe trip back. >> sometimes i wonder how they travel that way. the cars seemed too small for so much luggage, but i guess it is allowed. after all, you see it every year. vehicles are only allowed to carry so much weight, but violators do not always get stock. that means many overloaded cars and up with flat tires or engine trouble. he is on his way back, but a few kilometers in, he needs a

mechanic. >> it is better to break down at the rest stop them on the highway. the police would give me a ticket because i am not allowed to load up the car with more than 3,000 kilos. >> it will be several hours before he can continue on to the port. there at the strait of gibraltar is where the e-15 stops, and we're europe ends and africa begins. >> until only a short while ago, the polar circle was completely barren. but then the climate change made the ice melt-up in the north, and all the hidden treasures are coming to light.

the area has gigantic untapped natural resources, such as oil, gas, and iron ore. they are in high demand around the world. in most areas of europe, they have been entirely exploded, which is now no. sweden is now virtually seeing a gold rush. >> whenever the mayor takes a stroll through, he envisages a golden future for the town. residents are busy renovating their small shops, and the local florist has already had to put up a marquee outside to cope with the rise in a custom. hurt demand for all things bright and beautiful has boomed in recent weeks -- herve de man for all things bright and beautiful. >> we had the highest number of residents in the 1950's, more than 15,000. then, a lot of people moved away until just 6000 or so were left.

now, people are returning, especially young families with children, and that is great. >> the reason for their return -- the region is home to rich reserves of iron ore. ever since the price of raw materials has spiralled worldwide, mining has once again become a lucrative undertaking. some 100 kilometers north of the arctic circle on the border of finland. the luxembourg registered international company has already invested 110 million euros in exploratory drilling. three mines are set to go into operation in the next few years, creating 800 well paying jobs. experts say there should be enough or for 20 years of mining. >> we are looking for other reserves and planning a long term mining operation. but it mainly depends on supply and demand and how much money we can make.

>> one of the first new mine workers did not think she would be able to find a job here, so she was planning to move to southern sweden. then last year, she got her truck driver's license and now operates a huge dumper trucks. >> we are all optimistic. it means jobs for us young people. hopefully, it will be a success and we can stay living in our home town. >> joel is a train shed. -- trained chef. he is also glad more work is coming to the region. every day, the care delivers a midday meal to the minors. >> running a business here is now worth while.

until now, you could not be sure you would be able to make a profit. lots of firms shut down over the past few years. >> now he delivers 100 lunches to the mine, and the number is increasing as the months go by. she also went away in search of work to an island where he met his wife.% now he is back home, and his business is thriving. >> i was homesick. i missed my family and friends. and then one day, my wife said, "let's give it a try. let's move." >> the local authorities are doing all they can to make the new and old residents feel at home.

they are organizing a large number of cultural events for the whole family. >> i am really looking forward to be here when the mining gets going, and i am optimistic about the future. >> so is the local mayor. he is confident that a lot of people will settle here and find a new home north of the arctic circle. even if it is rather lonely here right now. >> there is no enemy quite like the one you will find in your own family. this old saying also implies -- applies to religious communities. in a serious conflict, the question seems to be increasingly -- who dominates the muslim world? christianity also has different groups competing for supremacy. more than 300 years ago, a small group of believers refused to

accept reforms to the text and rituals in the russian orthodox church. the small group ended up being prosecuted and pushed to the edges of the empire, and that is where they are today -- southern siberia. they are called the old believers, and they are convinced they are the true followers of jesus christ. >> it is sunny here in southern siberia. a small village that was founded some 100 years ago by christians who were persecuted by communists for their beliefs and fled here to begin a new life. centuries earlier, they had split from the russian orthodox church and called themselves the old believers. there is reason for celebration -- because today sees the start of the school holidays. locals usually shy away from cameras, but today is special, after all.

the old believers closely adhered to the teachings of the bible. they fast and pray on a regular basis, and the children receive religious instruction at school. >> we teach our children our beliefs. until a short time ago, we even talk the old slavic language. we do not just teach them our believes, but christianity in general. >> many young people move away after finishing school to find work or study in larger towns. >> maybe she will leave, too. it is her life, but if she does not enjoy it, she will be back, and light will be happier here once again. >> it is tiny, home to just 500

inhabitants. most of them live from the land, hunting or cattle breeding. they are the only sources of income. dmitri is planning ahead, building this house for tourists. he hopes he will soon be welcoming people from towns and cities who are looking for a break from urban life. >> visitors can ride horses with us. there are lots of beautiful routes here. i can organize excursions. even four-day trips, for example. >> the house is almost ready, and dmitri hopes he will soon be greeting the first tourists. >> the what has good insulating properties. when it is hot outside, it is nice and cool inside.

>> the village is set in beautiful natural surroundings. the journey takes us to hunting grounds. he is one of dmitri's many relatives in the region. the river freezes over in winter, but now, he can pay his old cat and a visit. he has not been here in a long time, but someone else has. >> this is a broken track. a bear did it. when i set the trap, i did not know how strong he was. look -- he just broke the mechanism. >> he wants to prepare the cabin for the coming winter when he will go hunting.

the stove needs fixing. before he sets off, he checks the flow of the rapids. they changed after the snow has melted, and some villages have drowned in the winter. >> last year, i hit a rock, and it damaged one of the engines. it is good my boat has two engines and i was able to make it to the river bank. but that was the end of that trip. >> dmitri and his family are sitting down to a meal together, as they often do. the old believers have strong beliefs concerning family life. >> our religion has strict rules. if you marry, it is forever.

and you ought to have children. if you live to the other, you should make a family. >> life has developed. even the very devout members of our community have mobile phones, tv's. many of us have cars. light shows you the way. we all swimming in the same river. >> dimitrius packing. -- dmitri is packing. he will be out for a few days to check the rivers in the villages. sometimes the pads are blocked by fallen trees. >> anything can happen. you could meet a bear. then either you should him or he will eat you.

you have to be faster than the bare. you should not go unarmed. >> a friend from the village is accompanying him on his trip this time. but he would love to share the isolated beauty with visitors from further afoot. so the old believers are no longer completely cut off from the outside world. >> that report brings us to the end of this edition of "european journal." we hope you have enjoyed the show. please do to and in again next week at the same time if you can. until then, thanks for watching. good bye for now. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--