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About Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FYROM

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) & Greece

The Name Issue

As provided for by UN Security Council Resolution 817 (1993), which urges the parties to continue to work together [] to arrive at a speedy settlement of their difference, Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are carrying out negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary General, with the objective of finding a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue. According to Article 5, Paragraph 1, of the Interim Accord, which was signed in New York, on September 13, 1995, the Parties agree to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations [] with a view to reaching agreement on the difference described in [] Security Council resolution 817 (1993). Henceforth the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has formally accepted that the name of its State is an issue for negotiation as provided for in UN Security Council Resolution 817 (1993).

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YugoslavRepublic

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Aug 7, 2008

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Aug 7, 2008

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The signing of the Interim Accord was the departure point for the normalisation of relations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The only issue that remained pending was that of the name of the new Republic, which was accepted by the UN with the provisional name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The two countries began negotiations under the auspices of the UN on the final name.
Since 1995, the development of Greek-FYROM relations has been impressive. Greece is one of FYROMs main trade partners and is first among foreign investors. Bolstering development and helping to combat unemployment, Greeces economic presence in FYROM is a stabilising factor.
Although a number of efforts have been made in recent years to settle the name issue on a bilateral level, FYROMs domestic political state of affairs has hindered the settlement of the issue in a manner harmful for both sides. In various instances, however, the two sides came very close to reaching a settlement.
Immediately following the elections, the new government publicly expressed its willingness to achieve a mutually acceptable solution, giving new momentum to the UN-mediated negotiations on the name issue.
The Skopje governments submission, on March 22, 2005, of its application for accession to the European Union is an opportunity for the settlement of the only outstanding issue between the two countries at the soonest possible time. At the first meeting of the EU-FYROM Stability and Association Council (Brussels, September 12, 2004), the European Union noted that the difference over the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia still persists and encouraged the finding of a mutually acceptable solution within the framework of UNSCR 817/93 and 845/93 by Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
On 4 November 2004, the US shifted its policy and unilaterally recognised FYROM under its constitutional name. This unilateral decision undermines the efforts to reach a mutually acceptable settlement, given that it reinforces FYROMs inflexibility.
There is no chance of FYROM acceding to the EU and NATO under the name Republic of Macedonia. FYROM itself has agreed to this stipulation: According to Article 11, Paragraph 1 of the Interim Accord, Greece agrees not to object to the application by or the membership of the Party of the Second Part [FYROM] in international, multilateral and regional organizations and institutions of which the Party of the First Part [Greece] is a member; however, the Party of the First Part [Greece] reserves the right to object to any membership referred to above if and to the extent of the Party of the Second Part [FYROM] is to be referred to in such organization or institution differently than in paragraph 2 of the United Nations Security Council resolution 817 (1993).
In the light of FYROMs desire to accede to the EU, it is necessary that the demands of the Stabilisation and Association Process and the obligations of the Thessaloniki Agenda regarding regional cooperation be met. In order to avoid complications, it is necessary that a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue be agreed upon before the European Commission issues its Opinion regarding FYROMs accession application.
In the Joint Press Release of the 2nd EU Ministerial Forum on the Western Balkans (Brussels, November 22, 2004), all the participants agreed that it was necessary to find mutually acceptable solutions and for their to be agreements on pending issues with neighbouring countries.

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On 25 April 2005, for the first time in many years, the conclusions of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council made reference to recent developments regarding the issue of the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The reference was as follows: The Council noted the recent developments with regard to the dispute over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and specifically the proposals presented by the UN Secretary Generals Special Representative in support of efforts toward a solution. The Council urged the two sides to intensify their efforts, within the context of the negotiations, toward the finding of a mutually acceptable solution within the framework of UN Security Council Resolutions 817/1993 and 845/1993.
A few months ago, Mr. Nimetz, the UN Secretary Generals Special Representative, submitted the first comprehensive proposal for the finding of a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue.
Mr. Nimetz proposed the adoption for international use of the name Republika Makedonija-Skopje, untranslated. This name would be valid for use in all the organs of the UN, which would recommend to other international organizations and to states that they too adopt this name for official international use.
Greek Foreign Minister Mr. Molyviatis stated on 4 April 2005 that this proposal does not fully satisfy our desires and aspirations, but we believe that it constitutes a basis for negotiations.
FYROM initially tried to downplay the Nimetz proposal, insisting on a double name.
On October 8, 2005, Mr. Nimetz presented a new proposal, the contents of which have not been made public. FYROM initially accepted this new proposal. Greece, however, declared it unacceptable as it adopted FYROMs position.
Greece continues to be in favour of the UN process provided for in Resolution 817/93, and states its willingness to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue. Greece is seeking an international "erga omnes" name.

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