Vaclav Klaus Urges EU to Fix Macedonia-Greece Name Dispute

Macedonian President Ivanov and Czech President Klaus in Prague. Photo by CTK

The EU should be proactive in solving the notorious dispute between Greece and Macedonia over the latter's name, according to Czech President Vaclav Klaus.

Klaus welcomed in Prague on Tuesday Macedonian President George Ivanov making it clear he can understand Macedonia's effort to enter the EU and he does not like Greece blocking it, as cited by Ceske Noviny.

The notorious "name dispute" is based on Greek concerns with Macedonia's constitutional name ("Republic of Macedonia") because much of Northern Greece is called "Macedonia" as an administrative district. Therefore, recognizing the same name for its neighbor could legitimize potential territorial claims by Skopje.

Because of the name dispute, Greece has so far vetoed Macedonia's accession to NATO, and blockaded the start of EU accession talks with Macedonia. Because of the Greek position the Republic of Macedonia was admitted to the UN under the made-up name of "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (Macedonia)."

Macedonian President Ivanov has declared in turn that Macedonia fulfills the EU entry conditions but it cannot make progress in the accession talks over Greece?s blockade.

"I think the EU?s duty is to try to help find a solution as quickly as possible, and I believe it will be reasonable and acceptable," said Klaus, who is traditionally perceived as one of the most prominent eurosceptic, and in 2009 threatened to block the ratification of the EU's Lisbon Reform Treaty.

He added that he told Ivanov that the EU accession is "not an entry to the paradise", but an entry to a complex institution.

"I do not think it is good," said Klaus, commenting on the Greek blockade of Macedonia?s EU integration.

Macedonia does not want to wait for other Balkan countries that are also seeking EU entry, Ivanov said, adding that the individual assessment of each country should be decisive.

"Unfortunately, Greece?s blockade prevents us from advancing as quickly as Croatia," he added.

Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki visited Prague two weeks ago.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said after a meeting with Milososki the long dispute Macedonia had with Greece over its official name is useless and it complicates Macedonia's EU integration.

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