November 4, 2004

Statement of the Political Secretariat of Synaspismos on the FYROM issue

The USA decision to recognize FYROM under the name of “Democracy of Macedonia” constitutes one more crude intervention in the Balkans, which proves how they understand international conflict resolution, since there is an agreement between Greece and FYROM to reach a solution on the issue of the name through negotiations.

This intervention forms part of the USA broader plan for supremacy in the wider region; this fact undermines the Balkans prospects for peace, stability and security.

These developments bring to the fore the responsibilities of both PASOK and New Democracy governments which did not take care to solve the issue on time and through negotiations. Instead of wasting their time today in meaningless confrontations they should comprehend their responsibilities, because they did not face nationalistic displays, which led to the impasses of today.

In addition, they are responsible for today’s impasse because they did not only reject but also degraded systematically SYNASPISMOS’ proposal for a composite name with a geographical or other definition, which was an advantageous and feasible solution.

SYNASPISMOS believes that, irrespective of the developments, the co-operation and friendship between the two countries and their citizens, based on mutual respect, must be promoted and will contribute to the establishment of relations of peace and security in the Balkans.

SYNASPISMOS reaffirms its recently put forward proposal for immediate convocation of the National Council of Foreign Policy, where these developments can be discussed together with the issue of Greek - Turkish relations in view of the EU Summit Meeting.

SYNASPISMOS' Press Office