Greece's radical positions not in favour of name settlement, says PM Gruevski

Greekamericannewsagency.com

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Tuesday that latest statements by Greek Premier George Papandreou and Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas given in New York had suggested that hopes created recently in a bid the name issue to be solved had been misleading, because they once again "presented utterly radical positions".

"It is great disappointment and not in line with constructive actions aimed at finding a solution", said Gruevski.

Greece by reiterating its "erga omnes" positions - a name with geographical determinant for overall use and adoption of constitutional amendments if necessary - implies that it is not changing its stances, according to the PM.

"These statements deny many people in Macedonia who have said that Greece is flexible and Macedonia isn't", Gruevski stated.

The PM said he was still optimistic about a possible solution, adding that optimism was not enough, but demonstration of constructiveness from the other party.

"I'm not sure to what extend these stances might improve their positions ahead of the local elections, only time will tell. However, if their positions are truly firm, this won't help in overcoming the dispute. On one hand, Greek officials say they have willingness and constructiveness to solve the issue, on the other they voice their positions, which are utterly radical, even more radical than the positions of the previous government", Gruevski said.

Commenting Greece's remarks that he didn't want to meet with Papandreou, PM Gruevski said that such a meeting was not even arranged. He noted that an open invitation had been conveyed to the Greek Premier for a meeting in Macedonia "if he believes that it could contribute to swift settlement of the name issue".

Moreover, he failed to state precisely whether he would attend the 65. UN General Assembly in New York.

PM Gruevski said that mediator Matthew Nimetz by stating the problem could be solved with dialogue between countries' leaderships didn't indicate that he was quitting his role as mediator.

"He wants to point out that all forms of communication are welcomed in overcoming the name row", PM Nikola Gruevski stressed.