Gruevski proposes "two-tier formula"

Macedonia's PM has proposed a "2-tier formula“ for solving the Macedonian “name“ dispute: one name in communications with Greece, another for all other states. Macedonian media report that Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis has refused to comment on this proposal. Gruevski proposes "two-tier formula" “Greece wants the name ’Republic of Macedonia’ erased from constitutional and personal documents, and shows neither understanding nor a desire to discuss the Macedonian people and language,“ said Nikola Gruevski. “In that situation, the ’two-tier formula’ would mean one name in communications with Greece, while the constitutional name of our country would apply to all other states,“ he said. The minister reiterated that it was necessary for Macedonian ruling parties and the opposition to pool their efforts over the dispute, and that he was in favor of holding a referendum on the issue. “I’ll fight my corner during the referendum campaign, but I don’t expect it to be of crucial importance, as the people already have their opinion on the matter and can easily decide what’s good, and what isn’t. Politicians come and go, but the people will have to live with that decision once the politicians leave the political scene,“ said Gruevski, the Macedonian MIA agency reports. Bakoyannis refused to comment or issue a statement following the Macedonian prime minister’s latest proposal on a “two-tier formula“ that could settle this thorny issue, which continues to hamper bilateral relations between the two countries. “Gruevski’s views show that he hasn’t grasped the international community’s message, which is loud and clear—for his country’s Euro-Atlantic course and his people, a mutually acceptable solution needs to be found, an agreed name that geographically reflects reality,“ she said. Greece, which refuses to recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name, arguing that it connotes territorial claims to Greece’s own province of the same name, has blocked Skopje’s further EU integration until the dispute is settled. Macedonia sits at the UN under the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Gruevski proposes "two-tier formula"

“Greece wants the name ’Republic of Macedonia’ erased from constitutional and personal documents, and shows neither understanding nor a desire to discuss the Macedonian people and language,“ said Nikola Gruevski.

“In that situation, the ’two-tier formula’ would mean one name in communications with Greece, while the constitutional name of our country would apply to all other states,“ he said.

The minister reiterated that it was necessary for Macedonian ruling parties and the opposition to pool their efforts over the dispute, and that he was in favor of holding a referendum on the issue.

“I’ll fight my corner during the referendum campaign, but I don’t expect it to be of crucial importance, as the people already have their opinion on the matter and can easily decide what’s good, and what isn’t. Politicians come and go, but the people will have to live with that decision once the politicians leave the political scene,“ said Gruevski, the Macedonian MIA agency reports.

Bakoyannis refused to comment or issue a statement following the Macedonian prime minister’s latest proposal on a “two-tier formula“ that could settle this thorny issue, which continues to hamper bilateral relations between the two countries.

“Gruevski’s views show that he hasn’t grasped the international community’s message, which is loud and clear—for his country’s Euro-Atlantic course and his people, a mutually acceptable solution needs to be found, an agreed name that geographically reflects reality,“ she said.

Greece, which refuses to recognize Macedonia under its constitutional name, arguing that it connotes territorial claims to Greece’s own province of the same name, has blocked Skopje’s further EU integration until the dispute is settled.

Macedonia sits at the UN under the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.