"Republic of Macedonia fulfilled the criteria for membership in the North-Atlantic Alliance, but it will join in when it will be allowed to do so in a dignified manner" - said Antonio Milososki, the Foreign Minister of Macedonia, during his speech at the meeting of the countries of the Adriatic Charter, held in Helsinki, on the margins of the 16th session of the OSCE Ministerial Council.
This statement mirrors the public opinion in Macedonia and is illustrating how important is for us Macedonians to be recognized under the only name we find possible: Macedonia, and the ethnic group: Macedonians. This is a line that no one else in the world is willing to cross, for any reason.
Greece is conveniently trying to present this stance as unfriendly, radical and even an advocate of irredentism, but it is simply a manifestation of the basic human right, to be respected for who you are. They are twisting our arm and forcing us to accept our name to be changed, something that is without a precedent in the history, and something that no other country would do.
We are also disappointed in NATO and EU, because they are showing double standards, depending on the issue - on one hand proclaiming human rights protectors, and on the other, they allow Greece to hold us hostage to its own interests, just because of WHO we are: Macedonians. Actually, it all boils down to specific politicians, "keeping a low profile", "going with the flow" in a quiet manner, not entering into battles with people who can have impact on their careers. There are exceptions though, from people which are honest and believe in universal principles and equality. We expect from both organizations either a stronger pressure on Greece to come to its senses, or a change in the way decisions are being made, new laws if necessary, ones that will improve the democratic environment and forbid further bending of law and justice.
Link: Милошоски: Македонија ќе се приклучи кон НАТО кога тоа ќе биде можно на достоинствен начин (Net Press, in Macedonian language).
This statement mirrors the public opinion in Macedonia and is illustrating how important is for us Macedonians to be recognized under the only name we find possible: Macedonia, and the ethnic group: Macedonians. This is a line that no one else in the world is willing to cross, for any reason.
Greece is conveniently trying to present this stance as unfriendly, radical and even an advocate of irredentism, but it is simply a manifestation of the basic human right, to be respected for who you are. They are twisting our arm and forcing us to accept our name to be changed, something that is without a precedent in the history, and something that no other country would do.
We are also disappointed in NATO and EU, because they are showing double standards, depending on the issue - on one hand proclaiming human rights protectors, and on the other, they allow Greece to hold us hostage to its own interests, just because of WHO we are: Macedonians. Actually, it all boils down to specific politicians, "keeping a low profile", "going with the flow" in a quiet manner, not entering into battles with people who can have impact on their careers. There are exceptions though, from people which are honest and believe in universal principles and equality. We expect from both organizations either a stronger pressure on Greece to come to its senses, or a change in the way decisions are being made, new laws if necessary, ones that will improve the democratic environment and forbid further bending of law and justice.
Link: Милошоски: Македонија ќе се приклучи кон НАТО кога тоа ќе биде можно на достоинствен начин (Net Press, in Macedonian language).
