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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-12-03
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Skopje Abandons Dialogue
[01] Skopje Abandons Dialogue
"In the case of the name row, we feel we have hit a wall. Skopje has
abandoned dialogue in favour of propaganda, delay tactics and the
cultivation of intolerance," the Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman,
George Koumoutsakos, wrote in his article for Balkan Insight.
"Words are of singular importance in the Balkans, but - unfortunately -
they may also be understood differently by different people. Greece
believes that problems can be resolved through dialogue, and we have
shown this. We believe that all the countries of the Balkans belong to
the European family, and we have worked to realise this vision. But in
the case of the name issue, we feel we have hit a wall. The other side
has abandoned dialogue in favour of propaganda, delay tactics and the
cultivation of intolerance. We will have the opportunity to discuss all
of this in court," stressed Koumoutsakos.
Elsewhere in his comment, Koumoutsakos noted: "FYROM took its delay
tactics to a new level by instituting proceedings against Greece at the
International Court of Justice, opting for litigation over dialogue and
laying bare its lack of will to pursue a mutually acceptable solution.
Athens was neither surprised nor concerned at this last move. It was to
be expected from a government that - with its 19th-century mindset -
sees a mutually acceptable solution as defeat. A government that
prefers the closed doors of nationalism to the open door of European
integration: a door opened by Greece itself at the 2003 Thessaloniki
European Council, offering FYROM candidate status."
Source: BalkanInsight.com
News item: 16238
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