Post by radovic on May 21, 2008 8:33:44 GMT -5
No Greece-Macedonia Talks in Bulgaria
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Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis21 May 2008 Skopje _ There was no direct meeting between Macedonian and Greek officials over the “name’ row on the first day of a key regional meeting.
Previously, media in both counties had speculated that Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and Greek PM Costas Karamanlis might meet at the South East European Co-operation Pact summit to discuss the ongoing row that has recently brought relations between the two neighbours to a fresh low. Read more: www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/10294/
However, local media report that both leaders informally exchanged opinions about the stability of the region at the joint dinner that followed the formal meeting in the Bulgarian town of Pomorie. There was no confirmation that the name row was mentioned.
At a press briefing for the Greek media, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis reiterated the Greek position that they will meet with Skopje officials after Macedonia’s parliamentary snap polls that are set for June 1.
Macedonian media previously reported that Crvenkovski is willing to meet Karamanlis if such meeting is initiated by Athens.
In April, Athens vetoed Skopje’s invitation to join NATO demanding the country change its name “Republic of Macedonia” first. Athens argues that the name of its neighbour might lead Skopje to make territorial claims on Greece’s northern province of the same name.
The United Nations-sponsored name talks between Athens and Skopje have been ongoing for 15 years. Due to the Macedonia’s snap election the talks have been temporarily held up.
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Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis21 May 2008 Skopje _ There was no direct meeting between Macedonian and Greek officials over the “name’ row on the first day of a key regional meeting.
Previously, media in both counties had speculated that Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and Greek PM Costas Karamanlis might meet at the South East European Co-operation Pact summit to discuss the ongoing row that has recently brought relations between the two neighbours to a fresh low. Read more: www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/10294/
However, local media report that both leaders informally exchanged opinions about the stability of the region at the joint dinner that followed the formal meeting in the Bulgarian town of Pomorie. There was no confirmation that the name row was mentioned.
At a press briefing for the Greek media, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis reiterated the Greek position that they will meet with Skopje officials after Macedonia’s parliamentary snap polls that are set for June 1.
Macedonian media previously reported that Crvenkovski is willing to meet Karamanlis if such meeting is initiated by Athens.
In April, Athens vetoed Skopje’s invitation to join NATO demanding the country change its name “Republic of Macedonia” first. Athens argues that the name of its neighbour might lead Skopje to make territorial claims on Greece’s northern province of the same name.
The United Nations-sponsored name talks between Athens and Skopje have been ongoing for 15 years. Due to the Macedonia’s snap election the talks have been temporarily held up.