"Greece will veto Macedonia's NATO bid"

Unless there is a compromise over its name, Macedonia's southern neighbor Greece will veto Skopje's effort to join NATO.

Izvor: Beta

Saturday, 08.09.2007.

15:35

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Unless there is a compromise over its name, Macedonia's southern neighbor Greece will veto Skopje's effort to join NATO. The statement came Friday, from the Greek prime minister, Kostas Karamanlis. "Greece will veto Macedonia's NATO bid" "It is out of the question for Skopje to become a member of any organization, be it NATO or the EU, unless that country opts for adopting a name acceptable to all," he said during a televised debate in Athens. The debate was a part of the election campaign, for a vote scheduled for December 16. Karamnlis went on to say that his country will use veto to block Macedonia's membership in both organizations. "We can develop good relations, we want to solve this issue, but the other side too needs to realize it must make steps to arrive at an agreement." Meanwhile, Macedonia's foreign minister, Antonio Miloshoski, said the statement was made "to serve the election campaign purpose." "Greece, which has been a NATO member for many years, will not have any dilemma and will give advantage to the Alliance's common interest, compared to open bilateral issues," he told MIA agency. "Greece will support NATO's intention of expanding its zone of influence to southeastern Europe with proven, reliable partners such as Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia," Miloshoski believes. Skpoje expects it will receive invitation for a full-fledged membership next year, during a NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania. Greece has since 1991 blocked international recognition of Macedonia under that name, maintaining that the name is a part of the national heritage exclusive to Greece. Since 1993, the former Yugoslav republic has been recognized by the UN precisely as – the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

"Greece will veto Macedonia's NATO bid"

"It is out of the question for Skopje to become a member of any organization, be it NATO or the EU, unless that country opts for adopting a name acceptable to all," he said during a televised debate in Athens.

The debate was a part of the election campaign, for a vote scheduled for December 16.

Karamnlis went on to say that his country will use veto to block Macedonia's membership in both organizations.

"We can develop good relations, we want to solve this issue, but the other side too needs to realize it must make steps to arrive at an agreement."

Meanwhile, Macedonia's foreign minister, Antonio Miloshoski, said the statement was made "to serve the election campaign purpose."

"Greece, which has been a NATO member for many years, will not have any dilemma and will give advantage to the Alliance's common interest, compared to open bilateral issues," he told MIA agency.

"Greece will support NATO's intention of expanding its zone of influence to southeastern Europe with proven, reliable partners such as Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia," Miloshoski believes.

Skpoje expects it will receive invitation for a full-fledged membership next year, during a NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania.

Greece has since 1991 blocked international recognition of Macedonia under that name, maintaining that the name is a part of the national heritage exclusive to Greece.

Since 1993, the former Yugoslav republic has been recognized by the UN precisely as – the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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