Barroso: Time to Settle Macedonia 'Name' Row

Barroso told reporters after meeting Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov in Brussels: “I am more convinced now that it will happen than I was several years ago.

“I know how sensitive this matter is. However I call on both parties to eliminate this obstacle as soon as possible, as now is the time for making a final decision on the issue,” Barroso said on Thursday.

Ivanov, accompanied by his country’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Milososki, on a two-day official visit, reaffirmed their country’s commitment to joining Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Observers said the visit was aimed at sending a positive message to MEPs about Macedonia's political progress in order to get a positive European Commission report, due in November, and a date for the start of EU accession talks.

Barroso recalled that last year's report recommended opening of Macedonia's EU accession talks, visa liberalisation and support for further efforts to settle the name row with Greece.

“Unfortunately it [the opening of EU accession talks] has not happened yet,” he said, blaming the unresolved dispute.

Greece is continuing to block the start of negotiations pending resolution of the spat.
Ivanov said joining the EU was Macedonia’s “top priority”, arguing that the country had not stopped making reforms and was trying to settle the issue with Greece.

President Ivanov also held talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fule.

On Friday, Ivanov and Milososki will meet the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, Andre Flahaut.

Macedonia and Greece are locked in a 19-year-old dispute over the use of the name Macedonia.
Athens insists that Skopje’s official name, the Republic of Macedonia, implies territorial claims over its own northern province of Macedonia.

Since 2008 the issue has become the main obstacle blocking the country’s accession to NATO as Greece has stopped the alliance from sending an invitation.

Last autumn Greece also used its veto as an EU member to block Macedonia’s attempts to join the bloc.

Talks have been held at the UN since the mid 1990s aimed at overcoming the issue, but so far to no avail.
 
In order to join the EU, Macedonia is also tasked with completing several key reforms at home in areas including the judiciary and political dialogue between politicians.