Friday, December 28, 2007

Crvenkovski says name more important than NATO

If we need to make an ultimate choice - NATO membership or change of country's name - we will stand behind the name, Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski said in an interview for Alsat-M TV.

Greece's eventual veto on Macedonia's admission to NATO would mean a blatant breach of the 1995 interim treaty, consequently, this document would not be in effect for the Republic of Macedonia as well, President Crvenkovski said.

He estimates that both Macedonia and Greece undergo a pressure to reach a solution to name dispute.

"Pressure is piled on both countries. Our country has been urged to be more constructive towards Greece, whilst Greece has been urged not to use the veto powers," Crvenkovski said.

Asked to comment the so-called "May agreement" between VMRO-DPMNE and DUI, President Trajkovski said any agreement should be complied with, and the obligations arising from the agreement should be fulfilled.

Crvenkovski blamed the government of wasting precious time in terms of reaching agreement with opposition parties over pivotal issues. Therefore, the country did not get a starting date of EU accession talks.

"Some saw the ratings more important than showing co-operation in bridging the obstacles," Crvenkovski told Alsat-M TV.

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