Source: Macedonian daily newspaper Dnevnik

Translated by UMDiaspora Staff 

We will accept you in NATO and the EU after a resolution of the name issue

I wish to be crystal clear — the Greek people want a solution that will completely normalize our bilateral relations; a solution that will ease the integration of our neighbor in the Euro-Atlantic institutions and strengthen the stability and cooperation in our region, says Foreign Minister Bakoyannis.

The relations between the two countries are “advancing spectacularly”, is the assessment of Dora Bakoyannis, Greek foreign minister and former mayor of Athens, given in a rare interview for Dnevnik.  According to her, there is only one outstanding issue Athens and Skopje — the name of Macedonia.  In spite of such optimistic views, which are echoed by Macedonian officials, and the fact that Greece is the number one investor in Macedonia, the countries have not established diplomatic relations on an ambassadorial level.

Considering the current bilateral relations, can it be argued that both countries enjoy very close cooperation?  Do you have a strategy for improvement?

- It is my pleasure to confirm that our bilateral relations are indeed advancing spectacularly.  We are neighbors, we are friends and partners.  Our strategic interests in the region are mutual -- peace, stability, and future prosperity for the people of southeastern Europe.  According to official statistics, Greek investments are at the top of the list for capital investments that accounts for a net of 1 billion euro and some 10,000 new jobs.  These figures demonstrate Greece’s solid engagement in the future of your country.  I believe that the Greek economic presence is a positive factor in the economic development and the fight against unemployment.  Greek firms are the main investors in your country not only because of the favorable economic conditions, but also because of the fact that your country and its people create a close and amicable surrounding.

The only open issue is the name.

Both nations have talked about the name problem.  For Macedonians this is “an absurd disagreement,” for the Greeks it is “a battle for the cultural heritage.”  Can both sides reach a compromise via constructive dialogue or will it be settled by UN arbitration?

-As you well know, UN Security Council resolution 817 (1993) calls on both parties to work together in reaching a mutual agreement.  Ever since then, we have been in negotiations under the arbitration of the UN Secretary General.  I believe that both parties agree that the hard work, cooperation, mutual respect, and common goals are solid foundations for progress, peace, and prosperity.  It is my strong conviction that, as long as both sides show openness and goodwill, we will be able to reach an agreement.  As for the Greek Government, I can guarantee you that we approach the negotiations (as we have done in the past) with the best and most sincere of intentions.  I had the pleasure of meeting my counterpart Antonio Milososki in New York last month, and I used that opportunity to underline the necessity for mutual progress.

You were enraged with the Americans for recognizing Macedonia’s constitutional name.  At the same time, you called on the government in Skopje to show more constructiveness, and it was Greece that rejected the latest proposal put forth by Ambassador Nimitz.  Why did you reject the proposal?

- Last year Mr. Nimitz, the UN Secretary General's special envoy, submitted the first comprehensive proposal.  Although it substantially diverged from our policy, our government accepted the document as a basis for further negotiations.  On the other hand, Skopje rejected the proposal. Several months later, Mr. Nimitz submitted a second proposal, which Skopje accepted but Athens rejected as completely one-sided.  Be that as it may, we must think positively and look to the future.  Though I may be repeating myself, I want it to be crystal clear -- the Greek people want a solution that will completely normalize our bilateral relations, a solution that will ease the integration of our neighbor in the Euro-Atlantic institutions and strengthen the stability and cooperation in our region.

Undeniable Reality

Your Excellency, we hear from you and other Greek Government officials that there is no Greek parliamentary composition that will accept Macedonia's membership in NATO and the EU before the resolution of the name issue, while that same Parliament ratified the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Macedonia and the EU.  Are such warnings conducive to the spirit of the Agreement, and would such actions go against it?

- I am not one who goes against her word.  I highly value direct talks, particularly between good friends.  When I said that not a single Greek Parliament will ratify the accession of your country in NATO and the EU, I simply restated the facts of an undeniable reality.  That is not against the provisional Association Agreement, which demands of our two countries to find a solution to the name problem.

We want to see your country in NATO and the EU and that is why we ratified the Agreement for Stabilization and Association with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.  We want a strong state on our northern border.  A strong state with a healthy economic development that will uphold the rule of law and will have efficient institutions that enjoy the confidence of all the citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation.  But this is not just a wish.  We do all that we possibly can to help, as we did previously with Romania and Bulgaria.  You can be certain that, once the name issue is resolved, the Greek Parliament will be the first one to ratify your accession to NATO and the EU.

Greece has long promoted itself as “the steam engine of the Balkans.”  Do you have the capacity to carry out this role, and what is the motive behind it?

- Greece strongly believes in our region’s potential.  There are over 3,500 Greek companies present in the region, with some 12 billion euros worth of investments.  Greek capital has created tens of thousands of jobs and I think that has significantly strengthened the region’s economy.

In the past five years, the Balkans transformed itself in a stable region that ought to become part of the EU.  Greek foreign policy plays an active, and I am sure, a constructive role in this process.  Greece strongly supports the integration of Southeastern Europe in the European family. Our policies are founded on one very simple principle — if we want to have peace and prosperity on the continent, European integration must not be fragmented.  We believe that the new Europe, which will include the Southeastern region, will be richer, stronger, and more durable.

Greece is promoting the creation of a single economic area in the region, which would be a catalyst in completing the enlargement process.  We have five main goals.  First, to carry out the creation of the free trade zone, which will include our neighbors and will replace the complex bilateral agreements between the countries in the region.  Second, improvement of the main transportation corridors, such as the Corridor 10, which connects Thessalonica, Skopje, and Belgrade with Central and Eastern Europe.  Third, the promotion of a single energy market.

Our fourth goal is to see the formation of a major energy system that goes beyond the Balkans and connects the whole of Southeastern Europe, as is the case with the oil pipeline system that connects Skopje and Thessalonica.

The fifth goal is the promotion of a policy of unification of the Balkan economic area in several sectors, such as the internet connection of the academic and scientific institutions, which would ease the development of high-speed internet in the wider region.

Magic Wand

- Unfortunately, in spite of several months of negotiations, there has been no progress.  The policy of Greece is clear.  We think it is unadvisable to miss out on achieving a long-term and functional solution for the sake of meeting a premature deadline.  International relations are more dynamic than static and adaptability is substantial.  Therefore, if there is a need for more time to achieve the best results possible, I believe it should be arranged.  In addition, we need not exert the internal politics of both sides, but give them a chance to voice their positions.  I also believe that democratic standards and human rights practices must be maintained, especially in the area of minority rights.  The Balkan history vis-à-vis minorities has not been very pleasant and it is time that changed once and for all.

The most important issue is to begin preparing both Kosovo and Serbia for “the day after.”  In Kosovo, independence is currently viewed upon as a magic wand that with one wave will solve the problems of unemployment, electric energy supply, education, health care, and economic prosperity. We all know that independence is not the remedy.  We must work hard and ensure that Kosovo fulfills its promises and meets its obligations.  More than half of the Kosovo population is under 30 years of age, the unemployment rate is the highest in Europe, and the opportunities the lowest.  The people of Kosovo deserve a better future than that.  Concerning Serbia, we must remember history’s lessons that neither the suffering of one country, nor the absolute victory of another can guarantee lasting peace and stability.  This is particularly relevant in the case of Serbia.  The lessons of the Weimar Republic are as important as always.

We have Consensus with PASOK

As Europe is trying to define its borders, the issue of Turkey has become a major dilemma.  You said that you will be constructive, but it seems that such a commitment requires a closer dialogue with Turkey; above all concerning Cyprus. What is your position towards Turkey?

- Greece supports Turkey’s aspirations toward becoming a full member of the EU.  As you know, Ankara needs to meet certain political, economic, and institutional criteria before joining the Union.  I want to be very clear.  The European Union is founded on a common legal and civic culture.  As with other candidate countries, it is important that Turkey undertake the necessary reforms, which include, among other things, the full implementation of the Ankara Agreement.  Once Turkey has completed all the necessary reforms, they will certainly join the EU.

Concerning Cyprus, we are now looking for a new solution and we believe that it will have to bear in mind not only previous action taken in the UN, but also the fact that Cyprus is an EU member country.

- The election atmosphere in Greece has been very peaceful for decades.  At the recent local elections, New Democracy asserted its supremacy, but as you say, PASOK always remains the strongest political rival.  Fortunately, in the last decades both parties have reached a consensus on the most critical issues, especially concerning our foreign policy.

There Is No Macedonian Minority in Greece

- I am proud of the capacity of Greek democracy.  All citizens of Greece have equal rights.  I am sure that you already know that in Greece there is only one minority in Western Thrace and those are the Muslims.  There is no such thing as ‘a Macedonian minority.’  Whenever some political formation has sprung out under the title of ”minority” it has never managed to gain popular support.

----------------------

Views expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the United Macedonian Diaspora nor does their publishing on this website imply support from the United Macedonian Diaspora.