The name dispute is an absurd dispute, and Macedonia has no territorial claims in Greece and does not ask for the exclusive use of the term Macedonia, said the VMRO-DPMNE leader Nikola Gruevski in an interview with the Greek newspaper “To Vima”.
In the interview, Gruevski says he wants good cooperation with Greece and wants to find a compromise in the solution over the name issue, but not at any price and not at the expense of Macedonian identity, language and culture. He added that it will not happen without the approval of the people at a referendum.
Gruevski said the solution to the name is possible if Greece abandon blackmail and accept the existence of a Macedonian state and identity.
“If they accept the reality that Macedonia exists and will continue to exist, if they accept the reality that Macedonia has no aspirations to any territorial claims as they have shown numerous gestures and as outlined in the Constitution, and that we do not seek exclusivity for the use of the name Macedonia, then we might be able to find a solution. If you add goodwill to your neighbours for help, then there is no obstacle for our two countries to be a perfect example of good cooperation in the Balkans”, said Gruevski.
It’s decisive that the Macedonian government has no territorial claims, rejecting criticism from Greece of VMRO-DPMNE irredentist behaviour.
“Macedonia has no territorial pretensions to their neighbours. This, I can sign with two hands. The claims that Greece, which is bigger and more powerful, and is afraid of the Republic of Macedonia is unconvincing. I will sign anything, that Macedonia will provide all required guarantees that we have no territorial claims”, emphasized Gruevski.
Gruevski assessed that the Greek public is not informed enough on Macedonia, which, according to him, is an additional problem to coming to a compromise.
The interview with the leader of VMRO-DPMNE is unprecedented because Gruevski, while Prime Minister, never spoke to the Greek media.
