EU Commission chief urges Macedonia to resolve name dispute
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker urged Macedonian officials Sunday to resolve a long-standing naming dispute with neighboring Greece so the country can open membership talks with the European Union.
Juncker arrived in Macedonia to kick off a Western Balkans tour that also will include stops in Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Montenegro, all countries aspiring to EU membership.
He met in the capital, Skopje, with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.
Juncker praised Macedonia for the “pace of reforms” needed to join the EU and for concluding a friendship treaty with neighboring Bulgaria. He also noted the recent progress Greece and Macedonia have made to settle their differences over the Macedonia name.
Greece argues that Macedonia’s use of it when it gained independence in 1991 implies territorial claims to its Macedonia province.
Once the 25-year dispute is resolved, Macedonia, which has been a candidate for EU membership since 2005, would be invited to accession talks “within months,” Juncker said.
“Do your job with Greece,” he said. “I do not intend to lecture those involved.”
As a goodwill gesture to Greece, Macedonia is changing the name of its main airport, Skopje Alexander the Great Airport, to Skopje International Airport and the airport operator has started removing the lettering.
Juncker said he was “enchanted (to find) that something has changed at the airport.”
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Zaev reaffirmed that he is willing to accept a “geographical qualifier” in Macedonia’s name to reach a compromise, but insisted the new name must “respect the dignity” of people in both countries.
To satisfy Greece, the United Nations and other international institutions officially recognize Macedonia as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Discussions are underway to come up with an alternative.
Juncker was scheduled to meet with Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov later Sunday before flying to Albania.
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Nellas reported from Athens, Greece
