Deputy PM and FM Venizelos’ statement on NATO enlargement policy (Brussels, 25 June 2014)

Hellenic MFA, Wednesday, 25 June 2014

 

During yesterday’s working dinner of NATO Foreign Ministers, in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos had the opportunity, as the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, to brief his counterparts on the European accession course of Montenegro and to reiterate Greece’s positions on the FYROM issue, underscoring the international dimension of the issue and the need to resolve the name issue, with the mediation of Mr. Nimetz, within the framework of the UN process. Below is the relevant statement made by Mr. Venizelos:

E. VENIZELOS: At the working dinner of NATO Foreign Ministers, on the subject of enlargement, the Open Door Policy, we decided, after a long debate, to propose to Georgia a bundle of measures for upgrading its external relations with NATO. Moreover, we decided, with regard to Montenegro, to begin intensive negotiations, so that, by late 2015, the Foreign Ministers can assess what is the right time for Montenegro to be invited to meet the Alliance.

I had the opportunity to brief my colleagues on the decisions taken at the EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference, which opened three new chapters, among which is the chapter on Common Foreign and Security Policy. But the discussion was not limited to just Georgia and Montenegro. We also talked about Bosnia-Herzegovina, where the main thing is for there to be a state, for there to be state unity and security, so this comes first, and not Bosnia’s accession perspective.

Naturally, we also talked about the problem of our neighbouring country FYROM, reiterating the Bucharest framework, but I had the opportunity to explain once again that we are not talking here about a bilateral dispute, but a pending international issue, within the framework of the Security Council resolutions. 

I also reminded my colleagues that, during my latest visit to Skopje, in my capacity as chair of the Council of the EU, I talked with Mr. Gruevski and we said we would intensify the process under Mr. Nimetz; a process that is provided for by the Security Council resolutions. And that is what we are doing – the process under Mr. Nimetz is the right and appropriate process.

Moreover, we always need to explain that there is not a name problem – there is a problem of substance. The name codifies a substantive problem of regional stability, democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law, respect for the Ohrid Agreement, respect for the March 2013 Agreement amongst the main political parties of our neighbouring country, in which we have a great interest: we have a strong economic and investment presence, we always have our doors open to visitors from our neighbouring country. But it has to be understood that the Greek position is specific, moderate, responsible, and in accord with international law, and we are waiting for the other side to respond accordingly.

mfa.gr

25/6/14