Athens , 1 March 2010

First Reply

Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,

As I have had the opportunity to say in many addresses to this house, the framework within which the discussion is being carried out on the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a given. It is set down in UN Security Council Resolutions 817 and 845 of 1993, as well as in the Interim Accord that exists between the two countries.

Equally given and clear is Greece’s position within this framework, the national red line, with which a large majority of the parties here in parliament agrees: A name with a geographical qualifier, for use in relation to everyone, erga omnes.

And this is the only solution that can definitively resolve the pending matter that exists. The only solution that will enable the two countries to develop good neighbourly relations on a solid and permanent basis, within NATO and the European Union.

We reiterate this position at every opportunity, to all of our collocutors. And not for a moment have we diverged from this – nor for a moment will we diverge from it. Thus, there is absolutely no question of Greece’s backing down on this issue. I inform you that precisely this clarity of our positions is something that strengthens our negotiating position and our country’s credibility.

The government brings to this process not only strong arguments, but also a genuinely constructive spirit. And in precisely this spirit we are waiting for the Skopje side to respond in kind, with tangible moves. Having recourse to artificial ideological stances reminiscent of other eras – recourse to conduct that is and is perceived as provocative – does not, of course, serve the objective of finding a solution.

Finally, I would like to say that last week, as you know, Mr. Nimetz was in our country. The UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for the Greece-FYROM talks on the name issue. This visit was an initial meeting with the new Greek government and it took place at our initiative and invitation. At this meeting we had a good discussion and we had the opportunity to explain and clarify our positions once again, in the spirit I described to you. And most importantly, we had the opportunity to return the discussion to its proper basis.

Thank you very much.

Second Reply

First of all, let me say that Greece fears no one, of course. And it has no reason to fear anyone. But I will repeat once again that, as Greece, we have a national red line that is supported by the large majority of parties in the Hellenic Parliament and the Greek people.

And I would like to stress a point that I consider to be very important and that I have had the opportunity and honour to repeat many times in addressing this house: Our unity on foreign policy issues – on our national issues – is very important. It is our strength as a country. It is our negotiating power. It is of no use to our country for us to call into doubt precisely this unity. We fought for it, and we must sustain it and utilize it.

The issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is, of course, a national issue, and – as I said – on these issues we must all be united. And that is why I am not addressing only you, but each and every MP. I address myself to all of the parties of the Hellenic Parliament. We have to keep foreign policy far from petty political expediency, because only united can we achieve more for our country.

All of you are aware of what I am saying, and I am certain that you respect it. I am aware of your concern over our national issues, and that this concern is, of course, great. Believe me, my concern is equally great, as is the concern of all Greeks. And that is why I insist that we must speak on these issues with one voice, united.

Thank you very much.