Greek press on the Macedonian issue (news in English)

[akritas]

Athens urges Skopje move

PM asks FYROM to drop defiant stance; UN envoy to visit next month


Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis yesterday called upon the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to drop its intransigent stance in the name dispute with Greece and cooperate in finding a solution if it wishes to be taken seriously as a potential member of NATO.

“Skopje must meet us halfway so we can settle on a mutually acceptable solution,” Karamanlis told Parliament.

Karamanlis’s comments came as sources told Kathimerini that United Nations envoy Matthew Nimetz, charged with mediating the name dispute, is due in Athens next month, probably on December 3 and 4.

The PM had been responding to a question by far-right LAOS leader Giorgos Karatzaferis who accused the government of a “political shift” on the FYROM issue and called for a referendum on whether the country should be considered as a candidate for European Union membership.
Karamanlis rejected the call for a referendum, saying there was a “broad consensus” among political parties on matters of national interest and that the issue would be debated in Parliament.

“National interests are harmed when they are subordinated to partisan expediencies,” Karamanlis said.

But Karamanlis’s sternest words were reserved for FYROM authorities who, he said, “must realize that persistence and intransigence do not build alliances... nor does obsessively hostile propaganda or irredentist logic.”

FYROM must demonstrate that its behavior is in keeping with NATO and EU member states if it wants to join these clubs, the premier added. “It must prove that it wants to be an ally and a partner, it must show respect for international law, and it must fulfill all preconditions, without exception,” Karamanlis said.

Athens has said it will consider a composite name for FYROM, which would clearly differentiate the Balkan state from the region of Macedonia in northern Greece. FYROM has refused to consider an alternative to its “constitutional name” which, it says, is the Republic of Macedonia.

ekathimerini.com | Athens urges Skopje move

[Draco]

Athens News - Greece sees 'momentum' on Skopje

[akritas]

Burns: Skopje must be sensitive to Greek concerns

MADRID (ANA-MPA) -- Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis held talks here on Thursday, on the sidelines of the OSCE's ministerial session in Madrid, with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, who called on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to show sensitivity to Greek concerns over the "name issue".

Burns called on the government of Skopje to show greater sensitivity for Greek public opinion and for the Greek government and realise that some of their actions were very provocative. Burns said after his meeting with Bakoyannis.

Referring to the same issue, the Greek minister said that "we are ready to attend constructive dialogue and negotiating and we are expecting Mr. (UN special mediator Matthew) Nimetz in Athens in the coming days with this spirit."

Burns made the following statement to the Greek press: "I had a long discussion with Mrs. Bakoyannis, whom I listened to very carefully. I mentioned to her that that I told the Foreign Minister of FYROM (the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), A. Milososki that we believe that the prime minister and the government of Skopje must show greater sensitivity for Greek public opinion and for the Greek government. They must realise first that some of their actions were very provocative. Having lived many years in Greece, I understand the importance of the issue for the people and the government of the country. We requested from Mr. Nimetz to become involved again and we hope that a solution will be found that both countries can support. The government of Skopje must realise that it has the responsibility of meeting Greece halfway and show sensitivity for Greek concerns. Some actions by Skopje were unnecessarily provocative. We realise the importance of the heritage of Macedonia in Greek history, the modern-day political stage, in the hearts and minds of the Greeks. We hope that progress will be achieved and you must be certain that the United States will support a solution agreed to by both sides."

The two officials also discussed the Middle East issue and the recent Annapolis conference, from where the Greek delegation arrived to attend the meeting in Madrid, as well as the question of Kosovo.

Burns praised Greek presence at the international conference on the Middle East, saying, "I am pleased that Greece participated in the Annapolis conference as a full member. I am grateful to Mrs. Bakoyannis for the support she is offering for efforts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians, for the creation of a Palestinian state after 60 years and the creation of conditions of security in Israel. The role of Greece, which is being involved in this procedure, is very important. The Annapolis conference was a great success. We must continue the hard work now, continue this process and achieve further progress."

Referring to Kosovo, Burns said that efforts are being made, in the framework of the OSCE, to achieve a good development on the issue.
He conceded that "the coming months will be very difficult since there will be a transitional period there" and expressed the hope that "this will happen peacefully, with stability and there will be no violence."
Commenting on her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, she said that they ascertained the very good level of economic and political cooperation and discussed the agenda of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' visit to Moscow.

FM spokesman on FYROM

Asked by Greek reporters to comment on Greece's reaction in the event that the government of Skopje "makes some move for the sake of impression" by lifting the renaming of Skopje's international airport, an eventuality that the neighbouring country is reportedly considering, according to press reports, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said that "such a thing would not constitute a reason for the reversal of the Greek position, of Greek policy, that is focused on the essence of the issue."

Skopje has renamed the airport to "Alexander the Great", provoking a Greek reaction.

Burns: Skopje must be sensitive to Greek concerns

[Paulos Melas]

Karamanlis' Answer

05 Feb 2008 20:46:00 (Last updated: 05 Feb 2008 23:36:09)
By Nasos Bratsos
Sources: ΝΕΤ, ΑNA

Skopje does not seem willing to find a resolution to the name issue. Sending a letter-challenge to the President of Republic Mr. Carolos Papoulias, Skopje asks from Mr. Papoulias to support its demand to enter NATO. The same letter was also sent to the leaders of all Greek political parties-members of the EU ally. Skopje pursues to secure allies at the sight of NATO Summit Meeting taking place in April, in Bucharest. The leadership of the neighboring country has started a race to secure the support of NATO members as there is intense concern over Skopje’s entrance in the EU . Mr. Karamanlis answered to Skopje from Ljubljana, where he will hold talks with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa. The Greek Prime Minister stressed that Greece’s stance is clear and familiar; a mutual solution in the framework of EU decisions without winning and defeated countries. Greece has made steps and the neighbouring country should do the same so as to come out from isolation, Mr. Karamalis added. U.S. ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard called on Skopje to indirectly contribute to the finding of a resolution mutually accepted by both countries.

[Paulos Melas]

It seems that the Slavoskopians suddenly realised that they shall not receive an invitation for NATO and the have started runing.
But no compound name, no EU and NATO.

[Amarantos]

US envoy at Vergina

New US ambassador to Greece, Daniel Speckhard, visited the Vergina archaeological site on Friday, where he was given a tour of the tombs of the ancient Macedonian kings and the Vergina Museum.

"These finds bear witness to a glorious and rich history," the envoy told reporters, adding that they had carried him back thousands of years into the past.

Speckhard said he intended to visit all regions of Greece and to strengthen Greek-American relations of friendship.

After the Vergina site, located west of the port city of Thessaloniki in the central part of the Macedonia province, the US ambassador visited the Byzantine Museum in Thessaloniki.

Caption: US ambassador to Greece Daniel Speckhard views an artifact during his tour of the Vergina Museum and the Royal Macedonian Tombs on Friday, 8 Feb. 2008. ANA-MPA/TASSOS ASSIKIDIS



http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/sh...20&service=100

[Greek-Cowboy]

Maybe we should invite the ROM Prez to see it for themselves- I am sure they have never even heard of Vergina...... They probably call it Verginski and mis inform the rest of the Bulgars, I mean educate

[Tsontos]

Originally Posted by Greek-Cowboy

Maybe we should invite the ROM Prez to see it for themselves- I am sure they have never even heard of Vergina...... They probably call it Verginski and mis inform the rest of the Bulgars, I mean educate

They have invented the name Kutlesh for Vergina. Also I'm sure you meant FYROM.

[Greek-Cowboy]

Tsakmaki!, yes, varethika na kano type to alphabet....

[Draco]

PM: FYROM name must have geographic qualifier