Macedonia’s president is misusing the ongoing “name row” talks with Greece in order to improve his own personal ratings, prime minister Nikola Gruevski claims.

“His accusations against me were… probably in order to improve his own position before his formal return as president of [the main opposition party] the Social Democrats,” Gruevski alleged.

On September 29 after the two met for consultations, president Branko Crvenkovski accused Gruevski of obstructing the ongoing United Nations-sponsored “name row” talks with Greece as they enter a crucial phase. Read more: http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/13558/

He argued that Gruevski is trying to avoid taking any responsibility in front of the domestic public for his failure to reach a quick compromise over the dispute which has left Macedonia out of Nato and is threatening to impede its European Union integration as well.

“There is no greater courage than to let the people decide on such a substantial issue,” Gruevski replied, reiterating his position to stage a referendum if a compromise name with Greece is agreed.

Crvenkovski as well as some local analysts argue that possible referendum on this issue would practically undermine the name talks as most of the people would vote against a compromise with Greece driven by their national emotions.

Meanwhile local media report that the outgoing United States administration would try to end the row before the end of October. They cite unnamed diplomats from both sides as saying that the UN mediator Matthew Nimetz would soon offer a concrete name proposal.

In April, Athens blocked Skopje’s bid to join Nato arguing the country must change its name first. Athens says that Skopje’s name implies territorial claims on its own northern province which is also called Macedonia.

Athens has openly threatened to block Skopje’s EU accession as well.

Source: BalkanInsight.com