Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski is not surprised from yesterday's statement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel that "the unresolved problem between Macedonia and Greece regarding the name and identity is a burden for all", saying the mentioning of word "identity" is not new to those acquainted with the problem.

"For a long time now, connoisseurs of the row have been clear with the fact that the other side denies our identity. A proof of this is the latest statement by the PM of our southern neighbor and therefore we should not be surprised", PM Gruevski told reporters on Wednesday.

He reiterated that his party VMRO-DPMNE would not support any initiatives or ideas that deny or bring into question the identity of the Macedonian people and language.