Diplomat in FYROM faux pas
The Foreign Ministry yesterday summoned home Greece’s ambassador to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to explain her suggestion that Athens abandon a 15-year dispute with Skopje over the country’s official name. «Greece has to face the new reality, as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been recognized under its constitutional name (Macedonia) by more than half the members of the United Nations,» Dora Grosomanidou told the Financial Times in an interview published on Thursday. «Ms Grosomanidou is here so that the necessary explanations can be given,» ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos said. «At this point, there is no talk of a recall.» Sources said that Grosomanidou’s term in Skopje is due to end in four months in any case. Referring in the interview to FYROM’s decision to name its international airport in Skopje Alexander the Great after the ancient Greek general, Grosomanidou said: «A re-inflammation of emotions was not necessary at this particular time. Both sides have to stay as cool as possible.»
