Macedonia has the right to be named as it wants and there is no doubt that the name Macedonia is the right name of the country and that Greece and Macedonia have ancient history. I regret that the decision of the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the case of Macedonia found no response in the decisions of the leaders of the countries of the European Union and NATO and the country is still not a member of these international entities.
This was said by Hans Köchler professor at the University of Innsbruck, Austria, and president of the International Progress Organization in an interview with “Voice of the People”.
He said that he is impressed by the project Skopje 2014, because it is considered important for the whole of Europe, it promotes cultural varieties and cherish ancient heritage.
Austrian distinguished professor Köchler said he knows President Gjorge Ivanov well and he gives him his support in the effort to protect the identity of the state. As an expert on the current political- economic constellation in the Balkans, Köchler claims that the government led by Nikola Gruevski implements good economic and political decisions.
- I met President Gjorge Ivanov at the Doha Forum of United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in December 2011. During the general debate on the issues of state theory, including nationality and citizenship and the main elements of cultural identity in the context of current European and world order, I realized that he is a brilliant analyst of political and international relations. Especially at this time in this part of the history of Europe. During this transit period of the world order from single-polarity to multi-polarity, Macedonia must have statesman like President Ivanov. He has a reputation and character to understand the complexity and the linkage of national and international policies, and he is a man who can explain well the basics of Macedonian identity to the international community in a rational and persuasive manner, Köchler said.
According to him, the current government is on track when it comes to implementing reforms and economic policies.
- Prime Minister Gruevski should be complimented for his policy to support inclusive and multicultural European society, and to constantly talk in favor of ethnic and cultural coexistence, at home and abroad. Cultural, ethnic and religious coexistence is the fundamental bedrock of political, social and economic reforms implemented by the Prime Minister of Macedonia, Köchler says.
He claims that Macedonia has the right to name itself as it wants and regrets that there is no solution to the dispute with Greece so far. He recalls that the International Court of Justice adopted a decision the in favor of Macedonia, but it had no influence on international decisions.
- As a sovereign state Macedonia, of course, has the right to define the name of the country. We have to remember that many of the member states of the United Nations have recognized the country’s constitutional name “Republic of Macedonia” in the implementation of bilateral relations. It would be logical to accept this reality internationally, when it comes to multilateral issues. It must still be noted that Macedonia has shown flexibility in the dispute with Greece, when they agreed to change the state flag in 1995, said the Austrian professor.
Regarding the official name of Macedonia in its relations with NATO and the European Union and Macedonia’s application for membership in these organizations, he says, is concerned and regrets that these entities do not implement the decision of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Source: MIA