Athens , 24 August 2008

Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis stressed the following in answer to journalists’ questions regarding statements made yesterday by FYROM Prime Minister Mr. Gruevski:

“The very provocative and clearly intransigent statements made yesterday by Mr. Gruevski are simply outrageous.

These statements confirm the impasse that Mr. Gruevski has created for himself.

We have also seen earlier actions and statements undermining the negotiations – even just before his recent meeting with the UN Secretary General’s special envoy, Mr. Matthew Nimetz.

Mr. Gruevski is making a grave error.

Responsibility for any stumbling blocks in the negotiations – and, by extension, on his country’s European and Euro-Atlantic course – rests solely with him.”