The initiative for new talks between Macedonia and Greece to adopt confidence building measures is not new, and it is discussed for some time now.
This is claimed by Greek newspaper “Kathimerini”, citing diplomatic sources claiming that the German Government is behind the initiative.
According to the newspaper, the assessments in diplomatic circles in Athens are that the idea is not simple and that it is being worked on for a long time.
“According to diplomatic sources, Athens has received assurances that Skopje accepts the conversation, and that they pledged not to put other issues on the negotiating table, as, for example, the issue of minority and because of this there is a positive response from the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Minister Kodzias on this topic,” reports “Kathimerini”.
The paper points out that evaluation of Greek diplomats that irredentism of the Macedonian side is only implemented to support the antiquisation policy of the Government of Nikola Gruevski.
On the Greek side, this idea was first heard about last week from the sources of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which noted that measures would mainly be in direction to address the irredentism of the Macedonian Government, as, for example, measures related to textbooks and maps.
Greek Minister Nikos Kodzias delivered the idea to Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki this weekend in Riga.
While Kodzias and Greek Ministry considering confidence building measures, the coalition partner of SYRIZA, Independent Greeks, still claim they won’t allow our country to use the name Macedonia.
The head of the party and Defense Minister Panos Kamenos, at this weekend’s meeting of the party, said that they don’t plan to withdraw from the red lines on issues that they do not agree with SYRIZA, as, for example, about the name dispute. Kamenos made clear that he would not agree with the idea of the term “Macedonia” to be part of the final name, regardless of how many parties and countries support the idea.
– We have not nor plan to deceive the Greek people – said Kamenos.
