CoE Sec Gen: Name Issue Not Part of Chairmanship

"It would not be convenient if the chairmanship uses all occasions to initiate this problem, which could only harm the [name solution finding] process," Jagland told Deutsche Welle-Macedonian Program.

The resolution of other regional problems, such as those facing Bosnia and Herzegovina or neighboring Kosovo, should be on the priority list, he explained, adding that the “name” issue is primarily one that should stay under UN auspices.

"My message to you, your people and the Greek leaders is that one has to be pragmatic and work in the interest of the countries' citizens,” Jagland said.

Skopje is to take over the rotating six month long chairmanship in May.

During Jagland’s visit, Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki officially revealed that the country's chairmanship will be held under the name “Macedonian Chairmanship 2010”. He noted that Greek representatives might react to this decision.

Milososki explained that the country chose this name in order to avoid using the provisional UN reference FYROM, which Skopje accepted in the 1990s under Greek pressure.

“I'm not in charge of permitting someone to use this or that name. I have to stick to the decisions reached by the organisation I am heading,” said Jagland.

Athens and Skopje have been arguing for almost two decades over which state has the right to use the name Macedonia. Athens insists that Skopje has to change its official name, Republic of Macedonia, if it wants Greece to unblock its bids to join NATO and the EU. Greece says the current name implies territorial claims against its own northern province, also called Macedonia.

The Council of Europe is one of the oldest international organisations in the world. The Council has 47 member states, including the countries of the European Union. Its main focus is on the reinforcement of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.