Thursday, July 24, 2008

US State Department: It's a matter between Macedonia and Greece

U.S. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said late Thursday the issue of the refugees and Macedonian minority in Greece is a matter between Macedonia and Greece, reports Voice of America-Program in Macedonian language. Thus, McCormack provided a response to the initiative of Macedonian PM Nikola Gruevski on resolution of the requests by refugees-ethnic Macedonians from the Greek Civil War in 1940s, and recognition of the Macedonian minority in Greece, contained in the letter sent to Greek counterpart Costas Karamanlis.

"This is a matter between Macedonia and Greece. I understand the correspondence was between those two parties, so I'd refer you to either party for comment about it", said McCormack at the daily briefing.

According to him, this is a completely different topic from the name issue.

"From our point of view, we would like to see Macedonia and Greece work out the name issue, which is a completely different topic. I know a lot of people are devoting a lot of time and energy to that topic. We certainly would like to see those negotiations come to a successful completion soon", added McCormack.

McCormack denied that USA would intervene regarding the issue of refugees and recognition of the Macedonian minority, reiterating this is a matter between the two countries, not involving the United States.

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