Calamos Supports Greece
GreekReporter.comGreek NewsDiplomacyNATO Chief Visits Skopje Amid Name-Dispute Talks

NATO Chief Visits Skopje Amid Name-Dispute Talks

Greek premier Alexis Tsipras meeting NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg (file photo)

 
 
Media in FYROM are reporting claims the country will be offered NATO membership if a “mutually acceptable solution” is reached on the name dispute with Greece.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary-general, is currently on a two-day official visit to Skopje and is expected to deliver a statement on Thursday alongside FYROM premier Zoran Zaev.
The Macedonia Information Agency on Wednesday reported the NATO chief saying although the organization’s position on the name dispute remained unchanged, an invitation to Skopje to join would be made if the conflict with Greece over the name ‘Macedonia’ was solved.
Greece and FYROM have been locked in a dispute over the former Yugoslav republic’s name since 1993.
Northern Greece contains a historic region also known as Macedonia and many Greeks view their northern neighbor’s insistence on the name as aggressive and ahistorical.
The stand-off has seen FYROM blocked from EU and NATO membership, although it is recognized by 160 countries.
Greece has been a NATO remember since 1952.
Recent contacts between Athens and Skopje have seen some tentative steps towards an agreement, but feelings remain high in Greece on this sensitive topic.
Talks
Talks teams from Athens and Skopje are currently in New York for UN-backed negotiations on the long-running dispute.
Earlier, the UN mediator on the Greece/FYROM conflict indicated the term ‘Macedonia’ will be included in the discussions in New York.
In an interview with Thanasis Tsitsas of Greece’s Antenna TV, Matthew Nimetz said Greece should be realistic in understanding that the name ‘Macedonia’ will be included in any solution, but the final composite name will satisfy Greek requirements.

See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!



Related Posts