German Chancellor: I Will be More Involved in Name Talks
German Chancellor Angela Merkel knows all the combinations that come in play in the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece, and she confirmed the notion at a traditional summer press conference in Berlin, Utrinski daily conveys.
“Macedonia’s development is blocked because the name dispute is not resolved yet. I discuss the issue with Greek Prime Minister. It should be noted that overcoming the argument would be of a great importance to Macedonia. Without compromise, that is simply impossible. But regardless of this, in the entire process of Macedonia’s inclusion in the Union, the subject of minorities’ rights will have a central role, "Merkel said in front of domestic and foreign journalists.
A journalist from Deutsche Welle asked the Chancellor if she knows a creative and a clever solution to the so-called name dispute and whether she is willing to get more personally involved in the eventual solution.
The Chancellor answered that given the fact that the number of combinations that come in play in the dispute is limited, she does not want to publicly disclose them yet. She stressed that her involvement in the name dispute is highly confidential, but she also underscored that the moment will come when she will be more involved in the name dispute process.
Along with this statement from Merkel, Athens announces that the mediator Matthew Nimetz, will probably visit the region by the end of July.
Nimitz last visited Macedonia and Greece in September 2013, and the result was that "there are still substantial differences between Athens and Skopje," but the two sides agreed to intensify the negotiations.
The name dispute was a subject of Deputy Prime Minister’s Musa Xhaferi talks in Berlin. The message Xhaferi received was that Germany is strongly convinced that the country should be part of EU and NATO, and Germany is also trying to underline the importance of both the region and Macedonia, and a new step in this direction should be forthcoming conference on the Western Balkans which will be held in Berlin on August 28. Xhaferi had discussions with Christoph Heusgen, adviser to Chancellor Merkel on foreign and security policy, Markus Ederer, State Secretary in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Hans-Gert Poettering, head of the "Konrad Adenauer" Foundation.
"There are signals that Germany in particular will be engaged in solving the name dispute. After this week in Dubrovnik, a summit will be held in Berlin at the end of August. Germany as an economic and political force in the EU, will be particularly engaged in finding a solution to the dispute. There is a room for optimism even by the past experience. Germany contributed, although not at the forefront, in the agreement between Pristina and Belgrade and they continue working on it. So, we are witnessing in such difficult circumstances, Germany’s influence is important and necessary, “Musa Xhaferi said.
- See more at:
