The Government has prepared a response to the draft-memorandum of understanding that Greece sent to Macedonia at the beginning of October. Macedonia's response, which will soon be submitted to Athens, includes a requirement for respect, in a non-selective manner, of all obligations undertaken in the past and full commitment to dialogue, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said at Thursday's press conference.

"The most significant thing is that we must focus on the main idea within the common goal - EU integration - which is observance of certain rules and norms, referring in a non-selective manner to undertaken obligations and established relations. Republic of Macedonia will do everything in responding positively to every initiative towards bringing that common idea closer, and every country in the region has interest in contributing to the realization of this idea", said Mr. Poposki.

According to him, if countries agree on this, it would largely facilitate communication at all levels, adding that cooperation among citizens and businesses was excellent.

"What we should reflect is sincerity and commitment to the mutual agenda in the coming period. I see opportunities for certain cooperation in this direction while respecting all obligations undertaken in the past and full commitment to dialogue we want to have", added Mr. Poposki.

With regards to the proposal that a solution should be sought in a name with geographic qualifier for all uses, the FM stressed the most significant thing is to be impartial to the memorandum, "meaning to take into consideration those impartial assessments regarding any difference", and referred to the International Court of Justice ruling.

"The highest UN legal body has presented its view over the rights and obligations, as well as their observance. In the section regarding Macedonia's commitments it is noted that the country has always met its obligations, proactively approaching any commitment, including the open dialogue with all neighbors. Macedonia's approach is constructive and principled", said Minister Poposki.

Pertaining to the formula for settlement of the name issue in the early stage of EU accession negotiations, as recommended by the European Commission, Mr. Poposki referred to the existing practice in the Union to separate bilateral issues from the accession process.

"We must respect an established rule within the EU, according to which all bilateral issues are treated bilaterally. The EU integration process must be fixed on those rules given within the Union legal framework, whereas the EU has no interest in combining bilateral issues with those related to the integration dynamics. The most important thing is to maintain the logic when meeting certain criteria and transferring into the next stage. The fact that the goal is common - EU membership - should represent an additional factor for facilitation of any bilateral difficulties. This is the only way to overcome all bilateral issues existing from all prior enlargement rounds. We must not allow that the rule is broken in this case", emphasized Poposki.

On the accusations by Bulgarian authorities over Macedonia's violation of good neighborly relations and the discriminating relation towards citizens who declare themselves as Bulgarians, he assessed that such statements do not reflect the reality, since there is no concrete example that could confirm such claims by official Sofia.

"This assessment does not reflect reality. I cannot find any specific example that would turn such qualifications into a concrete action. What is concrete is the climate we have continually created, which is building good neighborly relations in an essential way. I believe the definition for good neighborly relations is sincerity with neighbors. This is the highest priority, and I believe that relations should be in such climate from the aspect of a common future that we expect to have within the EU", underlined Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki.