Macedonia President: Country Won't Give Up Identity

"Is there anyone in this country who does not individually know the red lines regarding his identity, language, culture and tradition? Those individual red lines are our national red lines,” President Ivanov stated.
 
This was the first time the President had publicly stated the country’s “red line” after the opposition parties had accused the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party, led by Nikola Gruevski, of being too secretive over this issue.
 
The President said Greece’s blockade of Macedonia’s European Union and NATO accession ambitions over the name dispute was anachronistic and would not contribute to a finding a speedy resolution to the row.
 
Earlier this month, Athens blocked the EU from offering a date for Macedonia to start accession talks with the bloc. Athens claims use of the name “Republic of Macedonia” implies a territorial claim to the Greek northern province of the same name. Greece blocked Macedonia from entering NATO last year over the same issue.
 
 “Macedonia will find a solution to its open issues with all those who live in the 21st century,” Ivanov said.

The President assessed 2009 as a successful year for the country, citing a positive report by the European Commission that recommended a start to accession negotiations. He also praised Macedonia’s success in obtaining EU visa liberalization (alongside Serbia and Montenegro).
 
While the VMRO DPMNE party praised his address, the opposition parties condemned what they called an empty speech. This was the first time Ivanov had delivered the annual presidential address to parliament since becoming President in March. He won the election as a VMRO DPMNE candidate.