Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said for META news agency that there was no talk of confidence building measures as Athens needs one month to come up with draft-measures.
Greece accused Macedonia of spreading irredentism through school textbooks, maps, as well as statements by senior government officials.
Government in Athens is concerned that Macedonia has territorial claims, and therefore it requests discussions for confidence building measures.
– Of course it takes a few minutes to understand that such thesis is far from the reality on the field – say representatives of MFA.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied the claims of the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini” and the Greek MP George Koumoutsakos that Athens and Skopje started new parallel negotiations outside the United Nations.
– There is neither parallel dialogue nor dialogue within the UN. In fact, many seem to be working on creating a perception that the process progresses. In practice, so far there is no concrete sign that in Athens there is a desire to have an intense dialogue on ending the dispute and the blockade – said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Greece is in a trap due to the previously set blockade.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, at this point, there are no initiatives or manifestations for engagement from Athens.
– Our interest is to overcome this situation of illegal blockade and to open as more as possible bridges with our southern neighbor. That is our interest. Realistic approach and will are necessary – reads the statement of MFA.
