Today in Skopje, the Foreign Ministers of Macedonia and Greece, Nikola Poposki and Nikos Kotzias discussed confidence-building measures and the possible development and expansion of the railway line from Bitola to Lerin and the construction of the gas pipeline from Thessaloniki to Macedonia .
The name dispute, as previously announced, was not part of the conversation between the two Foreign Ministers.
Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation that both countries have invested in starting the process of confidence building measures, which, they said, should bring the two countries closer and create a favourable climate.
Poposki said that at a time when the European Union and NATO are facing internal problems, and the name dispute still exists and is an obstacle, we should direct efforts at improving good neighbourly relations, building prosperity and strengthening the economy.
Greek Foreign Minister, Kotzias reminded and pointed out that Greece vetoed the European Union’s proposal to impose sanctions on Macedonia, at the height of the political crisis this year. He said that sanctions would be counterproductive.
“Such measures are taken to break an enemy or to bring them to the negotiating table. The friendly country in question is negotiating, we think that these measures are unnecessary. I am against these sort of penalties because at the end, they’re consequences and the people will suffer. The confidence-building measures are not related to the issue over the name, but they contribute to increasing confidence in both countries. If there is no trust, two people can not get married”, Kotzias said.
Regarding the name dispute, Poposki emphasized that we should work on creating a framework that will change the perception of this issue in both countries.
“We must change our perception of Greece, that they do not want us to exist, they should be seen as a partner. And Athens should be reassured that we are open”, said Poposki.
In regards to the refugee crisis, both ministers agreed that they had faced challenges, but thanks to an improved collaboration and an increase in communication between institutions, things are developing as they should.
Kotzias, who expressed sorrow for the victims of the floods, during his visit, not once did he use the country’s constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia, however, he used the phrase “the friendly country to the north”.
