Report: Macedonia, Greece Name Talks in June

Skopje | 11 June 2009 |

Nimetz did not confirm the reports

The UN-sponsored Athens-Skopje “name” talks will likely resume later this month in Brussels or Geneva, local media in both countries, say citing unnamed diplomats.

During the week of June 20, UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will meet with negotiators Adamantios Vassilakis from Greece and Zoran Jolevski from Macedonia to resume the stalled talks, Macedonia’s A1 TV quoted unnamed diplomats in Skopje as saying on Wednesday.

Balkan Insight has not been able to verify this report and there has been no official confirmation by either side or by the UN mediator.

Following the reported June meeting, Nimetz will travel to Skopje and Athens, most likely on July 6 and July 8, according to Greek City radio.

The talks have been stalled since the end of last year. The last meeting that Nimetz held with both countries’ representatives was on February 11, after which they were frozen due to elections in both countries.

Athens and Skopje are engulfed in a long-standing row over the use of the formal name of Macedonia. Last year, the row escalated after Greece blocked Macedonia’s otherwise sure NATO entry over the dispute.

Greece argues that the name Macedonia, which is the same name of Greece's northern province, implies Skopje’s territorial claims towards it.

The last proposed solution to the name dispute according to media speculation was to officially name Macedonia "Northern Macedonia".

Western officials are keen to see a quick solution to the dispute in order to move ahead with Macedonia's NATO membership.

(Reporting by Sinisa-Jakov Marusic)

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Comments:

Who's arguing what now?
2009-06-11 10:13:57

"Greece argues that the name Macedonia, which is the same name of Greece's northern province, implies Skopjeâ€™s territorial claims towards it." And what does FYROM argue? That it can call itself "Macedonia" at the expense of history and true Macedonians? I am Macedonian but Gruev doesn't speak for me nor does any other Bulgar-Slav. It's hard to believe Greece compromised something with "Macedonia" in the name and they want more compromises?

Name <> Identity
2009-06-11 11:26:40

To prevent the name Macedonia for Macedonians and other communities in this teritory is among the top of their priorities since it is not the issue of the name only generic, but furthermore, in enters deeply into the identity of Macedonians, who, across the history never proclaimed teritory interests in other countries, neither they will now.

Realpolitik
2009-06-11 16:05:37

What the West wants it pays for (what better example than this site?). When that doesn't work, there are the cluster bombs. When was the last time that the desires of the West coincided with truth and justice? Iraq? Guantanamo? Darfur? Yugoslavia? The recent EU elections? Anyone? The West will have its way again but the truth can never be vanquished.

Are you kidding?
2009-06-11 17:00:37

Are you kidding?

Real name of FYROM
2009-06-12 00:11:30

Greece has all the rights to protest against the usurpation of Macedonia's name, which belongs exclusively to the hellenic heritage. The real name of FYROM is Vardaska. People from this country are called "Vardaskians". That's the real name of their history, that's their culture. So no needs to steal the region's name of a neighbour country.

Name
2009-06-12 03:46:08

Why not have greece rename the northern part Greater Thessaly. I mean they rename everything else macedonian with greek names(churches, cemetaries, villages, and towns.) So this should be a piece of cake. You might even try Northern Thrace..but then that might upset your compatriots in Bulgaria since you both share that one.

to Aleksandar-about territory claims.
2009-06-12 09:08:53

Do you remember the article 3 of your previous consitution?Are you kidding me ? Before saying such words as "never" , please be sure of what you say

actually that's not the issue
2009-06-12 09:24:26

The issue being that the majority of macedonians and macedonia is and has always been, greek. Slav-mcedonians never used that name until about 100 years ago. But in any case, the choice is between agreeing to an accurate name like North Macedonia, or stay in this stupid little 100year old feud, i.e. move forwards or backwards.

what happens if
2009-06-13 04:53:10

what happens if greece breaks up like yugoslavia has. what will the greeks call their state of macedonia? "macedonia 2". thats why you slavs will never have this greek name.

CHECK THIS OUT!
2009-06-16 03:28:31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDRQtwS7TEI I think this speaks for itself.

What happens when
2009-06-16 04:05:48

What happens when the rest of the world sees the U N documents of 1977 when Greece/Grandaddy Karamnalis recognized the Macedonian language and alphabet. Enjoy the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDRQtwS7TEI

TG
2009-06-16 06:05:09

If greece were to break up it would be called Greater Albania! cheers

Monday, June 15, 2009
2009-06-18 18:29:58

Albanians are 25% of the population in FYROM and is expected to be more than 50% in 30yrs. So I think.. that you are going to be part of Greater Albania TG. :-)

TG
2009-06-19 06:55:24

I am sorry, as an Albanian part of a sizeable minority in your country may I add that federalisation of Macedonia and the eventual independence of Tetova is inevitable. We want nothing with Greece but the Slav presence in the Balkans which began in the Medieval Ages is coming to an end. And dont kid yourselves, as Albanians we have been here longer than you and we both know you have nothing to do with the ancient Macedonians.

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Report: Macedonia, Greece Name Talks in June