Stark Message to Skopje

[akritas]

While addressing the Plenum of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent a rather stark message to Skopje, claiming that there is no room for unilateral provocative moves in the drive to achieve a mutually accepted solution to the name dispute. Touching on the Cyprus standoff and Turkey’s EU bid, the Greek Premier highlighted the need for the respect of European principles, with good neighbourly relations and the denouncing of violence being listed among them. "The transformation of our continent will remain incomplete for as long as the last wall still dividing Europe keeps standing on Cyprus," underlined the Prime Minister, further adding that Cyprus’ EU membership and Turkey’s accession talks have shaped a whole new framework that may play a decisive role in finding a mutually accepted solution. Kostas Karamanlis also made a special reference to the effort to combat terrorism, which he billed as an "inescapable priority." However, he did not miss noting that the issue should be addressed in a way that would safeguard the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The developments in the wider region of the Balkans and Greece’s role regarding the growth and stability prospects in the area had topped earlier the 50-minute talks the Greek Premier had held with the President of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, Rene Van Der Linden. Karamanlis was asked on the Skopje issue and he once again clarified that the interim agreement is a biding one for both sides, and that Greece has fully met the terms set, whereas Skopje has not.

Sources: ΝΕΤ - ΝΕΤ 105.8, 24 Jan 2007 15:28:00

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and the Skopjans to violi tous!!!

ΒΗΜΑ, 24-1-2007,page 30


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[4runner]

In yesterday's address by Milososki (FYROM Foreign Minister) to NATO he referred to his country as "Macedonia" 9 times. Is not Greece represented at NATO? Has there been any response?

www .nato.int/docu/speech/2007/s070126d. html
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me join in welcoming the Afghani Foreign Minister Dadfar-Spanta.

We are all aware of the fact that in the last period the Alliance and the Partners together with the Afghani people have attained indeed considerable achievements in terms of stabilization and reconstruction of the country in the establishment of democratically elected institutions, and in the implementation of the development strategies.

However, we are also aware of the fact that it is now that we have to respond to the challenge of completing the task in Afghanistan promptly and in the best possible manner in order that the country is ensured long term stability and prosperity.

After all, the importance of our further contribution to the peace and stability in Afghanistan as one of the key priorities was clearly emphasized at the Riga NATO Summit. This issue is related to the substance of the future role of NATO. The Alliance's greatest advantage are its military capacities. Yet the Alliance's greatest weakness in ensuring lasting peace are again its military capacities. NATO requires a concept for a framework of cooperation and coordination with international factors having reconstruction and development capacities for purposes of a successful epilogue of the endeavors in Afghanistan.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the last years, i.e. as of August 2002 Macedonia has been fully dedicated and has greatly invested in the ISAF Mission. To date, we have conducted 9 rotations of the Macedonian Army troops, by which a total of 361 troops have been deployed on the Mission in Afghanistan.

Currently, Macedonia has one Infantry Company of 126 troops (part of the company securing the ISAF Mission Command), one downsized platoon of 21 troops (part of the German contingent that will be withdrawn in February 2007) and 4 troops part of the Joint Medical Team of Macedonia, Croatia and Albania. (Currently there are consuitations held for the further functioning of the Medical Team which is to continue its deployment as part of a new contingent instead as thus far as part of the Greek contingent). Thus, Macedonia is present in Afghanistan with 151 troops, that makes us one of the largest non-NATO contributing nations in ISAF.

Aiming at enhancing the operability of our troops and for purposes of their equal participation together with the Allies' troops, in November 2006, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia adopted a decision to reduce to the minimal level the national caveats that limit ISAF operations. Such a step is another concrete contribution we are giving to the more successful and prompter accomplishment of the ISAF Mission goals.

Esteemed Colleagues,
Dear Friends,

Macedonia will continue enhancing its role of a generator of stability within and beyond its borders. The participation of Macedonian troops in international NATO-led peace operations will remain Macedonia's significant pledge for the protection of the values shared within the Euro-Atlantic Community.

Dear Excellencies,

At the end, I should like to underline that we have another excellent opportunity to discuss issues related to ISAF and Afghanistan on 28 and 29 June, 2007 at the EAPC Security Forum to be held in the historical town of Ohrid.

Therefore, allow me to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the Security Forum by which you will once again reaffirm the power of solidarity and dedication of our countries aiming at prompter resolution of issues related to the Euro-Atlantic and global security.

Thank you for your attention.

[McFee]

Wasn't Dora Bakoyianni present at this meeting, being a NATO Foreign Minister? And if she was, how did she respond? Does anyone know? Can one of our Greek brothers or sisters living in the homeland tell us if it was made an issue of over there?