FM Poposki speaks about name dispute, migrant crisis, forthcoming elections in an interview with VOA
There are serious differences over the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki says in an interview with the Voice of America.
"In regards with the name issue I believe the situation is not changed, i.e. we have serious differences but agreed that at this point we could not discuss on such a serious matter," says Poposki, who held talks with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York few days ago.
Asked what Macedonia will do if it has to choose between its name and NATO membership, Poposki says a possibility for the Alliance to set such condition to a country that has met all accession standards is simply unfair.
"At the same time we cannot be naive and fail to admit that one member country is being capable to obstruct the entire process. We have shown thus far that it will be much better for NATO and Macedonia, bur also for Greece, to view our accession to the Alliance as an added value instead of resuming the policy of setting conditions when we have an agreement under the international law, a verdict of the International Court of Justice, which also notifies what can and cannot be accepted," Poposki says.
Referring to the refugee/migrant crisis, Poposki says the EU-Turkey deal most probably is not the ideal response, but certainly is the best possible at the moment.
In regard to the political crisis in Macedonia, Poposki believes the forthcoming elections will be in favor of the country, as the outcome of this process will define the composition of the new government.
"Hence, we may leave behind this destructive period of numerous internal blackmails and squabbles, for which we paid a rather high price in terms of the foreign policy. By closing this chapter I believe that we will facilitate Macedonia's European and Euro-Atlantic agenda," Poposki says.
All participants should accept the election results as Macedonia has on numerous occasions proven its capacity to organize fair, democratic poll, Poposki says.