Ivanov Supports Name Referendum

Skopje | 08 June 2009 |

Georgi Ivanov

Macedonian President Georgi Ivanov gave his backing to a referendum on Macedonia's name dispute with Greece, saying that the people of Macedonia should have a say in any compromise with Athens.

"The people should not feel deprived of their rights and personality, something which every person living on this planet has, a right to self-determination and self-identification," Ivanov told local media in Skopje.

Last Sunday, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski also stressed that any compromise between Skopje and Athens would have to be approved via a referendum. His party, the centre-right VMRO DPMNE, has previously embedded this in its 2008 election program.

Last year, Athens blocked Skopje’s NATO accession over the row. Greece argues that Macedonia’s formal name, the same name of Greece's northern province, implies Skopje’s territorial claims over it.

Some analysts say that a referendum on any possible compromise name that would be reached through UN-brokered talks could mean a blockade of the whole process since the majority of Macedonian’s are very likely to refuse it.

Ivanov vowed to find a “reasonable compromise” between the two states that would not interfere with Macedonian identity or offend Macedonian sensibilities.

US diplomat Matthew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the talks, will soon visit the region, Ivanov said.

The talks should intensify in the aftermath of European Parliament elections, which closed on Sunday.

Media speculate that the United States, which is perceived as a major player in the talks, would like to see the issue closed by the end of the year. This would ensure Macedonia's membership in NATO next year and clear the path for EU accession.

(Reporting by Sinisa-Jakov Marusic)

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Comments:

agreed
2009-06-08 18:05:52

People of Macedonia should have a say in any compromise with Skopje. Cheers all from Florina, Macedonia,Greece.

Good Luck
2009-06-08 23:11:20

Good luck to the US in having this issue resolved by the end of the year (not even in 100years) when FYROM objects to any compromise in the name rather than Macedonia. The people are reluctant to any solution and highly persauded/motivated in adopting this name while continuously falsifying historical, cultural and geographical realities. They simply are nothing but theives and a hopeless ethnos in denial desperately struggling for their survival. Thier own stubborness and unwillingness to truth and compromise will be their own nation's demise and should stop projecting blame towards Greece who has already made deep sacrifices and shown willingness to compromise. The Balkans will never be an area of peace.

Referendum
2009-06-08 23:55:32

If this is the case then you will not be part of EU and NATO. Keep dreaming as you see your neighbours move forwrad while you stagnate and become another banana republic. But then there is always a solution, you can become Bulgarian citizens:)))

why?
2009-06-09 09:12:16

Why in every article related to the name issue , you mention again and again that Greece blocked Fyrom's entrance in Nato ? (which practically wasnt a veto,anyway)

2009-06-09 12:04:20

Greece should do the same. The Greek governemnt had agree to "North Macedonia" without asking real Macedonians how do they feel about that compromise. NOT EVEN ONE real Macedonian agrees with letting Fyromians to include the term "Macedonia" for Vardarska. Greek governemnt MUST do a refferendum among Macedonians as soon as possible. No compromise with Skopje if that compromise includes the term "Macedonia-n" for former Bulgarians. No compromise with Stalinists and Titoist methods and way of thinking.

What referendum?
2009-06-10 02:54:55

It is well known that over 50% of the population won't bother to vote, just as it happened with the last elections and the last referendum, thus any sort of referendum shall be null and void anyway. So why bother reporting nonsense? Nothing is REALLY going to happen anyway.

"North Macedonia"
2009-06-10 21:42:01

Vardarska Macedonia is actually the northern part of Macedonia. But the southern part isn't under our control yet so north macedonia remains as the only macedonia. The Republic of Macedonia, in fact. renaming what is now northern greece to macedonia really helps to identify how far macedonia really stretches. Its like you know that the land is really ours, wow! And WTH is up with Greeks and bananas? I have heard many Greeks refer to things as bananas, which doesn't make sense. Its amazing how you all band together and push your propaganda so viciously even though you know you are wrong. Well the younger ones will think they are right.. Everyone knows how elitist greeks are. and everyone already knows that greece is spinning shit. but politics holds us back unfortunately. The only way I see for the name dispute to be resolved is for one of us to be gone forever.

Referendum
2009-06-11 03:17:36

Referendum What will the people of FYROM vote for? The unexeptable name(s) for the Hellenic Republic (Greece) is 'Macedonia' & 'Macedonian'. Therefore in question will be: .Constitutional name for country. .Constitutional name for Nationality of citizens. .Constitutional names of the countries largest ethnic group (Slavs). This includes the ethnic groups name, language & religion. This will not effect the ethnic Albanian's because in the countries constitution, the Albanian's are not recognised as 'Macedonians'. They are ethnic Albanian's & their the Albanian Language which is the second Official Language is seperate to the language spoken by the ethnic Slavs, known as 'Macedonian' in the current constitution.

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Ivanov Supports Name Referendum