The differences in the red lines over the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece remain, but both countries have decided to focus on cooperation and the things that bring the two countries together, rather than the problem that separates the two. This was the conclusion of the Macedonian and Greek Foreign Ministers, Nikola Poposki and Nikos Kotzias, during today’s meeting at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens.
Both ministers expressed their unanimous desire for greater bilateral cooperation between Macedonia and Greece, and discussed the refugee crisis, the name dispute, a greater energetic cooperation and the implementation of confidence-building measures between the two nations.
Minister Poposki was clear that the two sides have significant differences in their attitudes on the issue of the name. As he said, you will have to overcome mountains to find a solution. However, according to him, both sides are making a step forward and decided to focus on mutual cooperation, to work to improve the climate between the two countries.
– Macedonia has a strategy to have good relations with Greece and this is the direction that will move our relationships – Popovski stressed.
Macedonian government, as Popovski stressed when asked, did not give up the idea’s potential decision to go to referendum, a fact that is positively accepted by the Greek side.
Ministers have not revealed details about the possible new Greek proposals in the negotiations as announced before the meeting. Kotzias maintained secrecy about the negotiations, saying only that negotiations are taking place within the United Nations.
“We are working towards a compromise that will fight against extreme nationalism and irredentism from both sides and it will help the future of both our countries. UN negotiations are taking place in the framework and agreed that no result would be a public announcement”, Kotzias noted.
He pointed out that both sides are satisfied with the initiative to implement confidence-building measures and that the UN talks will help and will help in the process of isolating the extremist voices on both sides.
Popovski considers it an important step that the Greek authorities, Ministries, Parliament and the Greek President, talked openly with Macedonia therefore it should help to promote bilateral cooperation. He also noted that measures, even though maybe symbolic, are very important and involve many sectors.
