Brussels, 06/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle said on Monday 5 September that Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) were close to settling their quarrel over the name of the country. The dispute is blocking FYROM's entry into the European Union.
Speaking during a press conference with the Macedonian prime minister, Nikola Guevski, Füle said he was optimistic about the question of name. He felt a certain confidence had grown up between the FYROM and Greek prime ministers over recent months and that they were ready to settle their spat and move forward, AFP reports.
The European commissioner was in Skopje to prepare the annual report to be presented in October, before that country's entry to the EU, officially a candidate for entry to the EU since 2005 despite Greece's opposition to this. Greece considers that the name “Macedonia” is part of its national heritage, while Skopje takes the view that the name is essential for the identity of the Republic of Macedonia. Both countries have been seeking a solution for decades since the proclamation of independence from Macedonia made by the former Yugoslavia in 1991. The various attempts at mediation by the European Union have proved to no avail.
Stefan Füle has underlined that the European Union would not import the name problem. He also stressed that other points are to be resolved by Skopje first - the need for judicial reform and the application of laws that already exist. (L.C./transl.jl)