The Greek government rejected the proposal tabled by Skopje to adopt the name “Republic of Ilinden Macedonia” as a compromise solution to the decades-old naming dispute.
Following a round of talks on Saturday with the country’s president and leaders of opposition parties, premier Alexis Tsipras put an end to speculation that an agreement will be reached on that name.
Some Greek commentators say that this may have prompted the U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to call Tsipras and urge a solution to the dispute.
In a statement late on Saturday, Tsipras’ office said that Greece “will continue working with FYROM to find a commonly accepted compound name with geographical or time designation and against all (erga omnes).”
The statement added that a solution, that would include changes in the FYROM’s constitution that will erase territorial ambitions towards Greece, “should be based on the the package of proposals tabled by UN special envoy, Matthew Nimetz.”
The UN-mediator tabled earlier in the year five proposals for an agreement on the name. These were: Republika Nova Makedonija (Republic of New Macedonia), Republika Severna Makedonija (Republic of Northern Macedonia), Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia), Republika Vardarska Makedonija (Republic of Macedonia of Vardar) and Republika Makedonija (Skopje) [Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)]
Speaking to a party conference in Athens on Saturday, Tsipras said that “We are at a crucial point of the negotiation, we defend the national line with cautious and responsible steps.”
He added that it is a huge responsibility to negotiate on behalf of all the Greeks taking into account their sensitivities.
“We are working for a solution that will not be fragile and will not collapse in a few months, which will not affect the dignity and the history of both peoples,” Tsipras said.
Earlier on Saturday Greece’s opposition parties unanimously rejected the proposal to adopt the name “Republic of Ilinden Macedonia”, on the basis that is irredentist, in that it implies territorial claims on Greece.
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