FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has said that he opposes a revision of the country’s Constitution to remove remaining irredentist elements, as Greece has requested.
“Macedonia changed its constitution in 1993. We have made a major step towards eradicating irredentism. Whatever we are doing now is to prove that Macedonia has no ambitions, territorial or otherwise, that Macedonia does not have irredentist aspirations. Macedonia wants to build friendly relations,” Zaev said.
On Tuesday, Zaev said that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is ready to add a geographical qualifier to its name to help resolve a dispute with Greece that has held up its prospects of joining the European Union and NATO.
Macedonia joined the United Nations in 1993 with the provisional name » Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia».
«I would like the negotiations (with Greece) to succeed … We are ready for a geographical qualifier in the name,» he told reporters.
He had pledged a speedy solution after talks with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras last month in Davos, and he has repeatedly confirmed his decisiveness since then, as has the Greek government
.
Following Zaev’s statements, it appears that Northern Macedonia, New Macedonia or Upper Macedonia could be now acceptable to both sides.
Zaev also said his government has renamed the main airport and a key highway, which had both been named after Alexander the Great.
Zaev said the airport will be renamed «International Airport Skopje» and the highway will be called Friendship.
With today’s decision … we are confirming our step towards building friendship and confidence with Greece,» he said.
