(GREEK NEWS AGENDA) Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias today on the outcome of last week’s NATO Summit in Bucharest in which Greece, backed by other countries, did not consent to extend an invitation to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to start accession negotiations for eventually joining the Alliance, pending the name issue. Greece’s conditional position was reflected in the Summit Declaration issued by NATO. “I believe that conditions will be soon be ripe to resume negotiations under the auspices of UN in order to find a mutually acceptable solution” the premier said in a friendly message to FYROM’s people and political leaders.
Three opinion polls published in Sunday papers clearly show an overwhelming majority of Greeks ranging from 90% to 95% approving the government’s handling of the issue at the NATO Summit. At the same time a very high proportion of citizens, around 77%, believe that Greece must work to boost ties with FYROM.
An off-the-agenda debate on the issue is going to be held in the Greek Parliament on Thursday, April 10 between party leaders.
Athens News Agency: PM Karamanlis to brief President on NATO summit; Kathimerini daily: PM gets veto boost
Filed under: Government, Greece, Greeks Abroad, International Relations, NATO, United Nations | Tagged: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, GREEK NEWS AGENDA, History and Culture of Macedonia Greek News Agenda, Karamanlis, Karolos Papoulias, Kostas Karamanlis, Macedonia, Macedonian Heritage, Macedonian issue, NATO, NATO Public Diplomacy Division, NATO Summit in Bucharest, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis |
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