EU Warns Over Macedonia 'Name'
05 March 2008 Skopje _ Macedonia’s unresolved name dispute with Greece could have a negative impact on its integration into the European Union, the bloc's Enlargement Commissioner warned Wednesday.
Rehn’s statement on the 'name' dispute comes at a time of intensified talks between Athens and Skopje in light of a Greek threat to veto its neighbour’s bid to join NATO at the alliance's Bucharest Summit in April, if a solution is not reached by then.
Athens disagrees with Skopje’s use of its constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia”, even though it has been recognised by more than 120 countries. Athens argues it implies Skopje's territorial claims over Greece's own northern province of Macedonia.
Rehn urged Skopje that it has a real chance to be given the green light for the start of EU accession talks by the end of 2008 if it meets certain criteria.
Rehn presented eight preconditions that the country has to fulfil in the coming months in order to earn the desired recommendation.
A constructive political dialogue, an effective enforcement of the new police law, the political independence of the public administration and an improvement of the business climate are some of the areas in which Skopje needs to make quick progress.
The so-called “benchmarks” will be handed to the country’s leaders during Rehn’s visit to Macedonia on Thursday.
“I fear that it might have negative consequences on (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's) FYROM’s EU bid although it is a bilateral question”, Olli Rehn told media in Brussels.
Rehn’s statement on the 'name' dispute comes at a time of intensified talks between Athens and Skopje in light of a Greek threat to veto its neighbour’s bid to join NATO at the alliance's Bucharest Summit in April, if a solution is not reached by then.
Athens disagrees with Skopje’s use of its constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia”, even though it has been recognised by more than 120 countries. Athens argues it implies Skopje's territorial claims over Greece's own northern province of Macedonia.
Rehn urged Skopje that it has a real chance to be given the green light for the start of EU accession talks by the end of 2008 if it meets certain criteria.
Rehn presented eight preconditions that the country has to fulfil in the coming months in order to earn the desired recommendation.
A constructive political dialogue, an effective enforcement of the new police law, the political independence of the public administration and an improvement of the business climate are some of the areas in which Skopje needs to make quick progress.
The so-called “benchmarks” will be handed to the country’s leaders during Rehn’s visit to Macedonia on Thursday.