“The first matter that must be resolved is the issue of irredentism,” Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias told ERT state television on the FYROM talks in an interview broadcast last night.
Kotzias revealed that the two sides are working on signing an international treaty that could be signed in the coming months, which would settle all bilateral disputes, and which would be approved by the UN Security Council.
Kotzias noted that there are six core elements in a settlement.
These include the name issue, the eradication of irredentist claims, the issue of ethnicity and nationality and how they will be called, what the language of FYROM will be called, and how names will be abbreviated.
He said the new name should be written in transliteration from the Slavic version, and not translated into English or other languages.
Kotzias ruled out Nimetz’s proposal for a gradual introduction of the new name up until Skopje’s accession to the European Union.
Kotzias said that Greece will place on the negotiating table an international accord, or treaty that will cover all issues of a settlement.
“If there is a convergence of positions, we can put the proposal to a parliamentary vote,” he said
He said Greece has interest in resolving the issues now, and that if that occurs, FYROM will be the most friendly country towards Greece.
“If there is an agreement, and once Skopje has constitutionally voted on the name, we shall go to the UN Security Council,” the foreign minister said.
