Macedonia has met the criteria for opening EU negotiations and for NATO membership, the international law is on our side, which has been upheld by the Hague-based ICJ. In spite of this, Greece is blocking Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration. We have urged a dialogue to be intensified, I have sent a letter to the Greek prime minister and there is still no answer. However, I hope it will be positive, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said after Monday's meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Algirdas Butkevicius in Vilnius.
"Macedonia met the necessary criteria for opening of EU membership talks back in 2009, but it was delayed due to the blockades by our southern neighbour. Then, a lawsuit was filed at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, which was settled in favour of Macedonia. It is a court founded by the UN, which said that Macedonia was right. The international law is on our side, however Greece's EU and NATO membership is on their side. Greece's power of veto is on its side. We have been attempting to initiate a dialogue with the country, which is the biggest problem at the moment because we have the impression that they are not as focused on solving the name issue as we are," Gruevski stated.
He mentioned that recently he had sent a letter to the Greek premier Antonis Samaras urging him to launch a more intensive dialogue at a prime ministerial level, also including several ministers, under the auspices of the UN and mediator Matthew Nimetz in a bid the name dispute to be solved as soon as possible.
"I still haven't received a response even though almost a week has passed since I sent the letter. Hopefully, I'll receive a positive answer in coming days. If there is positive response and if we kick off an intensive dialogue, perhaps there are chances to find a solution, because a solution is possible only through a dialogue - if there's no dialogue, then there's no solution. With a dialogue, there are chances to find a name resolution," said the Macedonian PM.
Lithuania's PM Butkevicius said his country was actively supporting Macedonia's accession to the EU and NATO.
"We expect Macedonia to fully implement the European standards and rules and to maintain the excellent bilateral cooperation. We welcome the commitment of the Macedonian Government to creating adequate conditions for freedom of expression and freedom of media. At the same time, we are pleased that Macedonia has been implementing the capacity building project for EU membership and it is expected to be successfully implemented in the future," concluded Butkevicius.
The two interlocutors voiced satisfaction with the countries' cordial ties that are constantly being enhanced.
"We are here to strengthen the bilateral collaboration between Macedonia and Lithuania from a political and economic point of view. There are no outstanding political issues in our bilateral relations. The countries foster good communication and this meeting aims at strengthening the dialogue and intensifying political communication," Gruevski told a joint press conference in Vilnius.
The two prime ministers concurred that there is a common interest to enhance cooperation, first and foremost in the field of economy and trade exchange, and to strengthen investment opportunities.
Gruevski said that talks with his Lithuanian counterpart focused also on reforms implemented in the two countries aimed at reaching economic growth and development and at improving living standards. In this context, PM Gruevski presented the package of measures and economic benefits offered in Macedonia, inviting Lithuanian businessmen to come and invest in the country.
PM Gruevski, who is leading a government delegation in Lithuania, also attended a business forum in Vilnius organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce.
