Fury in FYROM and Greece over rights to Macedonia name (videos)
Any thoughts governments in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece had that settling a name dispute for the breakaway country were rudely disrupted when nationalists in both countries started a storm of protests over the name Macedonia.
Pushed by United Nations Special Envoy Matthew Nimetz to end a feud that began more than 25 years ago when Greece allowed the emerging country to its north to use the name Macedonia in a temporary acronym, the new moderate government in FYROM and Greece’s ruling anti-nationalist Radical Left SYRIZA were said to be closing on a deal.
That, however, would include letting the new name of FYROM include the word Macedonia, with qualifiers such as Upper, Northern or New even though Macedonia is the name Greece’s northern province abutting FYROM, which has claimed that land along with the port of Thessaloniki.
Nimetz is brokering talks in New York with negotiators between the countries amid reports it was already a done deal but trouble arose in Greece when Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, leader of the pro-austerity, marginal, jingoistic Independent Greeks (ANEL) who are partner in Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ government rejected use of the word Macedonia after earlier reports said he would relent.
That division has led the major rival New Democracy to say the government must present a united front. But Conservative leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis is in a tough spot if he also rejects use of the word Macedonia.
Protest marches were set in Thessaloniki on Jan. 21 after polls showed 68 percent of Greeks oppose giving away Macedonia although Tsipras and Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias have already suggested they are willing to do so.
In FYROM, Premier Zoran Zaev, who said he wants to bring his country into NATO and the European Union – both paths blocked by Greek vetoes until the name dispute is settled – said he was willing to compromise to find an answer even if it meant his defeat in elections.
Zaev has clashed over the negotiations with the country’s President, Gjorge Ivanov, a hardliner in the nationalist party of the former Premier Nikola Gruevski who kept taunting Greece for years and said he’d never give in.
Zaev is expected to meet Tsipras on Jan. 24 or Jan. 25 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, for high-level talks above those being done by Nimetz, who has failed for more than two decades to find an answer and only now resumed discussions after a three-year break.
The Greek newspaper Kathimerini said that after talks between Tsipras and Kotzias with Archbishop Ieronymos, who opposes giving away the name Macedonia, that Greece is almost ready to accept the name Republika Vardarska Makejonija (Republic of Vardarska Macedonia).
But FYROM wants Republika Nova Makedonija (Republic of New Macedonia), the paper said. Those are two of the proposals that Nimetz suggested, along with Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia); Republika Severna Makedonija (Republic of Northern Macedonia); and Republika Makedonija (Skopje) (Republic of Macedonia (Skopje).
But all those still allow the word Macedonia, the name by which FYROM is already recognized by more than 140 of the world’s 195 countries, creating a dilemma for Kammenos.
If he goes along with that, it would betray his party’s principles and his own word. If he rejects it, he’d have to choose between taking his party out of the coalition and bringing down the government, or swallowing it and staying in an Administration that gave away the name he swore he would never do.
With his party hovering around the 1 percent mark and not likely to return to Parliament in the next elections, Kammenos has been criticized by rivals as so power hungry he’d be willing to give away the name so he could stay as Defense Minister as long as possible.
The linchpin of the push is said to be the United States’ wish to get get FYROM into NATO as a bulwark against Russian interests in the Balkans. Critics in Greece though – including in ANEL – have wondered why Greece is even bargaining as it has the veto over NATO and EU for FYROM and FYROM has nothing to offer in return.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Source: thenationalherald.com
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
Greek Health Minister: Increase of vaccinations a top priority for the government
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Bard Gemini Pro, Google's largest AI model, now available in Greece
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation presents lecture with US University President