Politics
Karamanlis Message to Skopje Deliberations Completed 01 Mar 2008 10:05:00 (Last updated: 02 Mar 2008 12:02:30) Ε-mail Print
Sources: NET 105.8, ΑNA-ΜPA The 2 hours meeting with FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) representative Nicola Dimitrov UN mediator Matthew Nimetz and Greek Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis was completed earlier. After the meeting Mr. Nimetz spoke of a "substantial gap" on views between Greece and Skopje on the name issue but both sides he stated wish to continue the negotiations so as to find a mutually accepted solution. Mr Nimetz reported that the meeting "focused on the position of Mr Dimitrov’s government on the name issue." He also stated that he had been briefed on Greece’s view on the issue at a meeting earlier with Greek Ambassador Adamantios Vasilakis. Mr Nimetz will hold a meeting with the two sides in Manhattan at 16:00 Greek time. In reply to a question set by LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) President George Karatzaferis at Paraliament on Friday, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis spoke of one composite name and not of a name that will be just describing the neighbouring country’s system of government. In parallel, he repeated his message to the government in Skopje, warning that an intransigent stance during the negotiations would close the road toward joining NATO. It should be noted that Mr Karamanlis is to meet with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Athens on Monday morning. The 2 hours meeting with FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) representative Nicola Dimitrov UN mediator Matthew Nimetz and Greek Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis was completed earlier. After the meeting Mr. Nimetz spoke of a "substantial gap" on views between Greece and Skopje on the name issue but both sides he stated wish to continue the negotiations so as to find a mutually accepted solution. Mr Nimetz reported that the meeting "focused on the position of Mr Dimitrov’s government on the name issue." He also stated that he had been briefed on Greece’s view on the issue at a meeting earlier with Greek Ambassador Adamantios Vasilakis. Mr Nimetz will hold a meeting with the two sides in Manhattan at 16:00 Greek time. In reply to a question set by LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) President George Karatzaferis at Paraliament on Friday, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis spoke of one composite name and not of a name that will be just describing the neighbouring country’s system of government. In parallel, he repeated his message to the government in Skopje, warning that an intransigent stance during the negotiations would close the road toward joining NATO. It should be noted that Mr Karamanlis is to meet with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Athens on Monday morning.
"Substantial Gap" Mr Nimetz stressed that there are substantial differences between the two governments on his proposal made on 19 February, adding that today he will meet with both ambassadors and assess the present status and see up to what extent these differences can be bridged.
Then, Mr Nimetz reported that during his separate meetings with Messrs Vasilakis and Dimitrov on Friday, he was listened to the two sides’ questions and views.
In reply to a question as to whether he would propose new ideas today he answered negatively
His answer to another question as to whether he thinks that the gap can be bridged, he reported "I have to say that there is a substantial gap."
"No Solution – No Invitation" A few hours before talks commenced in New York on Friday, the prime minister sent a clear message from the Parliament to Skopje that Greece’s positions on the name issue remain firm.
"A clear, practical, viable solution cannot be built on the basis of a name that simply describes the existing regime in the neighboring country. Such a name is not a composite one, and therefore cannot comprise a solution," he said, adding that Greece supports one composite name.
"Our will for a mutually accepted solution is genuine. Our position ’no solution-no invitation’, is clear. If no solution is reached, then our neighbouring country’s aspiration to join NATO will not be materialized. And this because the principle of good neighbourly relations is a fundamental condition for relations among allies."
PASOK (Socialists) President George Papandreou spoke of a signle name for all uses, that was composite and included a geographic term", criticizing the government on how it is handling the issue.
KKE (Communist Party of Greece) in its announcement stresses that the government’s position ’no solution-no invitation’ and PASOK’s position on a veto against FYROM’s entry to NATO conceal that the USA and the EU are taking advantage of the FYROM name problem, wishing the issue to remain unresolved. Furthermore, it urges the Greek people not to be disorientated, adding that through their struggles they should veto NATO, the US and the EU.
Finally, Mr Karatzaferis rejected the use of the term "Macedonia" in the final solution, calling the prime minister to say a big "NO".
Translated by John Crystallidis Related News:
Greek PM's Message to Skopje
Map showing the Greek province of Macedonia(white/blue) and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(red) in the Balkans.

The first part of the bi-lateral negotiations regarding the naming-dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, under the United Nations mediation, ended without agreement in New York. As the U.N. mediator Matthew Nimetz stated earlier there are "substantial differences" - and therefore important disagreements - between the two governments on his proposal made on 19 February, adding that during his separate meetings with the two ambassadors Vassilakis and Dimitrov on Friday, he was listened to the two sides’ questions and views on the issue.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer will visit Athens on Monday morning and he will meet with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis regarding the name-dispute between Greece and FYRO Macedonia. The Greek government has made clear that if there is no agreement between the two sides (over the official use of the name 'Macedonia') Athens will veto FYRO Macedonia's process in becoming a member of NATO. Yesterday, Karamanlis stated in a Parliament speech that Greece's ''"will for a mutually accepted solution is genuine. Our position ’no solution-no invitation’, is clear. If no solution is reached, then our neighbouring country’s aspiration to join NATO will not be materialized. And this because the principle of good neighbourly relations is a fundamental condition for relations among allies"''. 

Today, according to information presented in the News of the Greek TV station Mega Channel, the United States are pressing the Greek side for a quick solution in order to avoid any problems regarding the NATO invitation to Skopje. It should be noted that the government of FYRO Macedonia insists in the use of its constitutional name (Republic of Macedonia) while Greece suggests a composite name which would include a geographic term. A demonstration of nationalists was organized a few days ago in Skopje, while next week the right wing Greek party LAOS organizes a rally in the city of Thessaloniki asking for national referendum and calling the government to use the right of veto.