As yet another round of talks between Greece and Macedonia was held in New York, United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz said the main problem to focus on was still the name itself, the thorny issue that has poisoned relations between the two neighbours for 17 years now.
“There are many issues between the two countries. Some of them are long-term, some are short-term issues. I think that both countries agree that the core issue is the name. There is a UN resolution and an agreement between the two countries and my mandate is on the name issue,” Nimetz said, as quoted by Makfax news agency.
The special envoy's statement came after meeting Macedonian and Greek negotiators in New York on August 13 2008. Nimetz is to visit the two states for new discussions next week.
The UN representative urging sides to focus exclusively on the name came as a result of Macedonia's recent attempt to bring up a number of other issues for negotiations, among which the official recognition of the Macedonian minority in Greece, and most recently of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, by Greek authorities.
The name issue has been standing in the way of good neighbourly relations between the two Balkan states ever since Macedonia broke away from former Yugoslavia in 1991, with Skopje insisting that it be recognised under its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Greece, however, has argued Macedonia is the name of its northern province and has requested a name change from its neighbour to prove it has no territorial claims over Northern Greece.
The tension between the two states reached its climax in April, when, as a result of the unresolved row, Greece blocked Nato issuing an invitation to Macedonia to join the alliance at a summit held in Bucharest. Now Athens is threatening to block the start of Macedonia's accession talks with the European Union.
Comments by GreekGrrrrrrrrl - 15:40 14 Aug 2008 |
 | Macedonia is one & Greek! |  |
Comments by Doktor Teknikal - 16:23 14 Aug 2008 |
 | There is only one Macedonia and that is the region in northern Hellas-the banana republic calling itself as such is Vardarska-end of story.
Macedonia is Hellenic and always will be; ΜΟΛΟΝ ΛΑΒΕ. |  |
Comments by G - 21:34 14 Aug 2008 |
 | To some that are not aware of the issue below is a little history about Macedonia and the cause at hand with FYROM.
Ancient Macedonia was a Greek kingdom situated in the north end of Hellas (Greece).
It became a very powerful Greek state during the 4th century bc after the decline of Athens and Sparta.
Under the leadership of King Philippos II and his son Alexandros III (aka Alexander the Great) the Macedonian army conquered most of the world and created the world's largest empire ever (this included South-East Europe, most of Asia and North Africa).
After the death of Alexander Macedonia followed the fate of the rest of Greece.
It became a Roman province and later a Byzantine province. It was occupied by the Ottoman empire and finally it became part of the indepented Greek state in 1912.
Today a Slavic nation known as FYROM (Former Yugoslavian Republic Of Macedonia )attempts to adopt the history and culture of Greek Macedonia as their own and present themselves to the world as "ethnic Macedonians" and "descedants of ancient Macedonians" .
Can you imagine that ? The online propaganda and anti Greek rhetoric must come to an end!
This is a blatant attack against Greece and its world wide respected history.
The Slavs who claim to be "Macedonians" have no historical, cultural or linguistic relation with ancient Macedonia. They descended into the region not before the 6th century long after ancient Macedonia was homogenized with the rest of Greece.
Their 'Republic of Macedonia' occupies less than 40% of ancient Macedonia.
Therefore their claim on ancient Macedonia's name, history, culture and symbols can not be justified. EVER!
PLEASE SUPPORT THE CAUSE !
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Comments by Peter - 23:41 15 Aug 2008 |
 | The mandate that the UN imposed to the Republic of Macedonia is illigal to begin with.The UN all it is a farcical organization.Macedonia should break off these illigal negotiations and tell Greece to go tohell.The Northern part of Greece is called Northern Greece[at best it is a province],therefore, the Republic of Macedonia is an independent country with over two milion population.Greece is afraid to recognize the existance of a Macedonian minority due to their farsical claim of purity.No nation in the 21st cencury exists pure as they claim.Greece is tangled in the mythical times,they are still in the 1st century.To make sure, Macedonia never belonged to Greece prior to 1913.Macedonia was given to them without consideration for the people of Macedonia by the Big Powers.Greece has bricken every agreement concerning the Macedonia people.The treaty of Serves on August,10,1920,IOn Nov.1932 a Greek newspaper wrote"What we have in Macedonia are neigther Greek nor Bulgarin nor Serbs but the Macedonian people, the Macedonian minority which in spite of all the blows and in spite of all the repression,preserves its economic and its national existance and a separate culture"Another newspaper quotes"It is these Macedonians clench their teeth stabbornly speak their Macedonian language of their own,for a free Macedonia"On March 1925 an elementarythe Leage of Nations directed Greece to fulfill its obligation,by May of 1925 Greece published the ABCEDAR in Macedonian.Bulgaria and Serbia objected to that and a high ranking Greek representative Vasilis Dendramis responded by defending the Macedonian language as being"neigther Bulgarian,nor Serbian but an independent language.He listed various linguists and linguistic maps as evidence to support his claim of the independence of the Macedonian language.The high ranking Greek official representing the Greek State not only recognized the existance of Macedonian identity,but openly defended and supported it.Republic of Macedonia can not trust Greece on any subject as they are breaking every agreement they have signed.Republic of Macedonia should just walk away from these talks.Remember the interim agreement they signed not to Veto any international organizatios. Well, they did Veto Macedonias entry to NATO,and they are threatening with EU intergration.Is there any reason why should Macedonia trust Greece? I say NO. |  |
Comments by B - 00:02 16 Aug 2008 |
 | SKOPJE CAN KISS MY BUM! |  |
Comments by B - 00:02 16 Aug 2008 |
 | SKOPJE CAN KISS MY BUM! |  |
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 | Macedonia is and always will be 100% Greek. Skopje is jealous because they are a poor wasteland & joke of a country and want to steal Greece's history because they have none. Skopje will never join Nato or the EU. Hopefully Putin will invade Skopje like in Georgia and wipe that eye sore off the face of Europe once and for all. |  |
Comments by Vaptizer - 22:39 08 Sep 2008 |
 | The FYROM should be named TYROM, which is Greek for cheese as their main profession is farming. Poor TYROMians will never feel the benefits of EU or NATO. They only hurt themselves with all that. |  |