Cave now and go to court for the next few decades with a northern neighbor.
Greece has already endured the enmity of NATO at Bucharest and now the EU.
They paid a price.
It would be highly surprising to see them move from what I believe is a red-line position, i.e. (pick a name, any name).
I would also say that suspicion on both dies is a prime motivator. Seriously, if a single politician in the north could utter the words, Greek Macedonia, it might go a long way toward assuaging fears. And north of the border to fear is that "the wolves" are at the gate again, there to finish off the job from previous losses. That's why this is about much more than a name, it's about history from 60 years ago.
DW reported on a heated exchange between German parliamentarian Angelika Beer and Greek MP Micias Marutkiotis. Beer's reaction came after Marutkiotis wrapped up a speech of how helpful his country had been in the EU integration process of Balkan countries adding "Greece had helped the economy of each Balkan country" This could be a new investment model: a bankrupt country helping others. Walter Kolbo, former MP and head of the "Macedonian Greek Partnership" reminded his Greek colleague that the German Bundestag had passed a resolution back in 2003 asking Athens to cease their obstructions towards Macedonia, adding Macedonians and Greeks are "Europeans", there is no need for blocking neighbors from getting into NATO and the EU.MP Angelika Beer, in comparison to Mr. Kolbo, was somewhat sharper and clearer in her reply to the Greek delegation: "You must decide how far you like to push your policies against the wishes of the Europeans. It would be best for you to decide whether you wish to stick to your policies or leave the European Union."
Walter Kolbo, former MP and head of the "Macedonian Greek Partnership" reminded his Greek colleague that the German Bundestag had passed a resolution back in 2003 asking Athens to cease their obstructions towards Macedonia, adding Macedonians and Greeks are "Europeans", there is no need for blocking neighbors from getting into NATO and the EU.MP Angelika Beer, in comparison to Mr. Kolbo, was somewhat sharper and clearer in her reply to the Greek delegation: "You must decide how far you like to push your policies against the wishes of the Europeans. It would be best for you to decide whether you wish to stick to your policies or leave the European Union."
Sofia Echo [BG]: EU membership talks delay means `disappointment but not surprise' in Macedonia
The decision not to decide a date was taken to give Skopje and Athens time to resolve their dispute about the use of the name Macedonia, the EU's top envoy to Macedonia, Erwan Fouere, was reported as saying. Fouere said that the December 8 decision by the EU Council of Ministers should not be likened to the decision at a Nato summit in Bucharest in 2008 not to invite Macedonia to join the military alliance. Greece was behind the decision not to invite Macedonia to join Nato, against the urging of major members of the alliance including the United States. Fouere said that the EU decision was made to extend an opportunity for the continuation of name talks with Greece, Balkan Insight said. European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that "silent diplomacy" was being conducted about the name dispute, adding that the recommendation of the EU foreign ministers was not discouraging, Macedonia's Utrinski Vesnik said, according to Bulgarian news agency Focus.
Fouere said that the EU decision was made to extend an opportunity for the continuation of name talks with Greece, Balkan Insight said.
European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that "silent diplomacy" was being conducted about the name dispute, adding that the recommendation of the EU foreign ministers was not discouraging, Macedonia's Utrinski Vesnik said, according to Bulgarian news agency Focus.
Cyprus would be solved instantly if Merkel announces tonight that Germany supports Turkey in the EU.
