Friday, April 04, 2008

Macedonia will not accept Greek blackmail

Macedonian top officials made clear Thursday that Greek 'no' to Macedonia's NATO entry won't change the country's determination to drive forward the EU integration process.
"Certain things in our country's strategy will be redefined, but our strategic goals will remain unchanged. However, we have a new reality after the summit in Bucharest," Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski said shortly before his departure from Bucharest.

He added that Greece's frustration was the only reason that Macedonia was not invited to join NATO.

"Republic of Macedonia will endure, our people will make it through, we will continue to walk on the path we have chosen," Crvenkovski said in Bucharest.

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Greece is mistaken if it thinks that the veto would force Macedonia to accept Greek blackmail.

"Every one who thinks that with this move Macedonia will be pushed to the wall to accept something makes a huge mistake," Gruevski said before his departure from Bucharest.

He added that Greece resorted to veto - a move rarely used, and breached the Interim Accord on the name.

PM Gruevski said Macedonia and its people should be proud of the support of NATO members and their recognition of the country's qualification to be part of the Alliance.

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