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Relations better despite FYROM name issue
Crvenkovski: Talks overcoming prejudices
 ‘I believe that today, no one, or almost no one, believes that the existence of our country is a threat to your country. That was not the case 10 or 11 years ago. Over this period of time, we have shown that our country has been steadily building very good relations with Greece. Aside from that, developments have shown generally that the existence of the Republic of Macedonia is an additional factor for stability in the broader region, and that stability is also of benefit to Greece,’ says President Branko Crvenkovski of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in an interview with Kathimerini.By Stavros Tzimas - Kathimerini
The leadership of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is not prepared to make further concessions toward finding a mutually acceptable solution on the question of the country’s name. Skopje insists that time is on its side following the recognition of FYROM by its constitutional name and that Athens is now in the difficult position. An interview given by FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski to Kathimerini reveals that although the atmosphere is placid in order not to disrupt the otherwise cordial relations between the two countries, the leadership of FYROM is sticking to its position. Crvenkovski proposes a double name: “That means that we propose that our constitutional name be used in our international relations, while in our bilateral relations with Greece we should find a mutually acceptable solution.” He sees warnings by Athens that the Greek Parliament will not ratify agreements for his country’s accession to NATO and the European Union under its constitutional name as “blackmail,” and describes Greek reactions to US recognition of FYROM by its constitutional name as “emotional.”
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