Macedonian, Greek FMs discuss ways to boost confidence, solve pending issues

Foreign ministers of Macedonia and Greece stressed on Thursday the need to keep working on the confidence building measures and resolving pending issues.

The words came at a joint press conference after the meeting between Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and visiting Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias.

The settling of differences over the name issue between Macedonia and Greece and the ways to enhance the understanding and confidence between the two countries on this issue were the main focus of the meeting.

Dimitrov voiced hope that Greece would recognize the new reality in Macedonia and at same time expressed the sincere desire of Macedonia for the friendship with Greece while he said Macedonia expected Greece to support it in its European Union integration bid.

On his part, the Greek foreign minister noted that Greece continued to support the stability and sovereignty of Macedonia.

According to Kotzias, Greece is in favor of stability in both countries, maintaining their ties and the principle of maintaining current borders and the sovereignty of both countries.

Regarding Macedonia's NATO and EU integration bid, Kotzias said that Greece wanted to see "its dear northern country join NATO and the European Union but for that to happen, it must be in accordance to EU and NATO rules."

Macedonia is the name of a northern province in Greece and Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.

Recently, Skopje has renewed and stepped up efforts to join EU and NATO, but Greece has stated that its stance remained the same as long as no solution to name issue was found.

This is the third time in two years that Kotzias visits Skopje at the invitation of the Macedonian foreign ministry in a bid to find a way to settle the name issue.

source: Xinhua