akritas
05-21-2007, 02:00 PM
Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, who is on an official visit to New Zealand, urged Skopje to give up on its intransigence and land claims. After reminding that Greece is both a NATO and EU member, the Greek Premier called on Skopje to commit itself to honouring good neighbourly relations. Talking to reporters after his meeting with his New Zealander counterpart Helen Clark, Kostas Karamanlis underlined that Greece has proved its constructive stance, arguing, "It is time for the FYROM administration to abandon intransigence, which belongs to the past, and shift its focus on a European future."
Greece's Stance Is Crystal Clear
Asked whether Greece has demanded the name row be settled before Skopje earn NATO membership, Kostas Karamanlis was firm:
"Greece’s stance on the issue is crystal clear. Our goal is to find a mutually accepted solution to the name row through the UN," said he, also underlining that Skopje should give up on its land claims and rhetoric against a NATO and EU member state.
"This is the only secure path that can earn Skopje a smooth Euro-Atlantic future," Karamanlis pointed out.
In his first official visit to New Zealand, the Greek Prime Minister laid a wraith at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in Wellington.
In his meeting with his counterpart Helen Clark, the two sides hailed the strong, historic bonds the two nations enjoy. They also drew their attention to issues relating to education and trade affairs, as well as to issues pertaining to the EU, Kosovo and the latest developments in the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus row.
Within the framework of his contacts in New Zealand, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis did not miss addressing the expatriate Greeks living in Wellington, whom he thanked for their contribution to the nation.
Kostas Karamanlis concluded his trip in New Zealand and departed for Sydney, Australia.
Evaluations-Reactions
Asked to comment on the issue of Skopyie, former prime-minister, K. Mitsotakis said that in no case Skopyie will approach European and Atlantic Alliance institutions under the name Macedonia.
On her part, GCP General Secretary, Aleka Papariga, in an interview with NET 105.8 said that even if an agreement on the name was reached, we will not get anything as there are many problems in the Balkans. She also stressed that early elections was unlikely to be called under the pretext of the name of Skopyie.
SYN President, Alekos Alavanos maintained that a solution on the name of FYROM shall be sought through bilateral negotiations within the UN. Any other attempt to turn Skopyie’s name to a top domestic or foreign policy issue takes Greece back to the past and not towards the future.
In his statement, PASOK party MP, Akis Tsohatzopoulos described as "unacceptable to allow developments on the Skopyie issue lead the country to early elections." Tsohatzopoulos added " We warned the government that it should not link the American interests with the Greek interests in the Balkans back since the US recognized FYROM under the name Macedonia."
Anna Diamantopoulou told NET 105.8 that national issues should not be part of the pre-election confrontation.
According to Petros Efthimiou, the government has raised the issue of Skopyie in its effort to change the political agenda while Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou underlined that the government is unable to handle with seriousness foreign policy issues.
news in.gr - «Íá åãêáôáëåßøåé ôç* áäéáëëáîßá» ãéá ôï èÝìá ôçò ï*ïìáóßáò êáëåß ï Ê.Êáñáìá*ëÞò ôç* ÐÃÄÌ (http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=803291)
Greece's Stance Is Crystal Clear
Asked whether Greece has demanded the name row be settled before Skopje earn NATO membership, Kostas Karamanlis was firm:
"Greece’s stance on the issue is crystal clear. Our goal is to find a mutually accepted solution to the name row through the UN," said he, also underlining that Skopje should give up on its land claims and rhetoric against a NATO and EU member state.
"This is the only secure path that can earn Skopje a smooth Euro-Atlantic future," Karamanlis pointed out.
In his first official visit to New Zealand, the Greek Prime Minister laid a wraith at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in Wellington.
In his meeting with his counterpart Helen Clark, the two sides hailed the strong, historic bonds the two nations enjoy. They also drew their attention to issues relating to education and trade affairs, as well as to issues pertaining to the EU, Kosovo and the latest developments in the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus row.
Within the framework of his contacts in New Zealand, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis did not miss addressing the expatriate Greeks living in Wellington, whom he thanked for their contribution to the nation.
Kostas Karamanlis concluded his trip in New Zealand and departed for Sydney, Australia.
Evaluations-Reactions
Asked to comment on the issue of Skopyie, former prime-minister, K. Mitsotakis said that in no case Skopyie will approach European and Atlantic Alliance institutions under the name Macedonia.
On her part, GCP General Secretary, Aleka Papariga, in an interview with NET 105.8 said that even if an agreement on the name was reached, we will not get anything as there are many problems in the Balkans. She also stressed that early elections was unlikely to be called under the pretext of the name of Skopyie.
SYN President, Alekos Alavanos maintained that a solution on the name of FYROM shall be sought through bilateral negotiations within the UN. Any other attempt to turn Skopyie’s name to a top domestic or foreign policy issue takes Greece back to the past and not towards the future.
In his statement, PASOK party MP, Akis Tsohatzopoulos described as "unacceptable to allow developments on the Skopyie issue lead the country to early elections." Tsohatzopoulos added " We warned the government that it should not link the American interests with the Greek interests in the Balkans back since the US recognized FYROM under the name Macedonia."
Anna Diamantopoulou told NET 105.8 that national issues should not be part of the pre-election confrontation.
According to Petros Efthimiou, the government has raised the issue of Skopyie in its effort to change the political agenda while Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou underlined that the government is unable to handle with seriousness foreign policy issues.
news in.gr - «Íá åãêáôáëåßøåé ôç* áäéáëëáîßá» ãéá ôï èÝìá ôçò ï*ïìáóßáò êáëåß ï Ê.Êáñáìá*ëÞò ôç* ÐÃÄÌ (http://www.in.gr/news/article.asp?lngEntityID=803291)