Brussels, 06/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 December, the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, encouraged the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to pursue its effort to find a “mutually acceptable” solution to the dispute with Greece over its name. After the meeting with the Macedonian head of government, Van Rompuy explained: “I also encouraged Prime Minister Gruevski to continue to seek a mutually acceptable solution with Greece on the name issue and expressed the hope that the judgment of the International Court of Justice would give further impetus to such efforts”. On Monday 5 December, the ICJ ruled that Athens had not complied with its obligations by opposing Macedonia's membership of NATO as no name to Greece's liking had been found for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The General Affairs Council, which met on 5 December, also underlined that it is essential to maintain good neighbourly relations, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution on the question of name, under the auspices of the UN. It specified that it eagerly expects results to come of the permanent dialogue on the matter very soon.
Ministers also said they generally share the Commission's assessment that Serbia is sufficiently in line with political criteria and noted that the Commission has reiterated its recommendation to open membership talks with FYROM. The European Council must take a stance on 9 December but the name problem is still likely to stand in the way of talks opening. (CG/transl.jl)