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The Macedonian Truth Organisation (MTO) thanks the European Parliament for taking the time to consider issues affecting Macedonia and the possibility of joining the European Union in the European Parliament resolution of 10 February 2010 on the 2009 progress report on Macedonia.
We accept the prospect of EU membership has indeed driven many of the reform processes in Macedonia. We agree with many of the resolutions and note how well Macedonia has progressed in relation to fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria. However, we are concerned with some matters pertaining to your resolution specifically in relation to the following statements included in your review of Macedonia’s Political Development and Regional Issues;
We agree with the European Parliaments earlier statement in the resolution that political stability is the common goal broadly shared by the country's political actors and ethnic groups. We fail to see how encouragement of the process of decentralization assists this goal. In fact, we view it as an attempt to encourage further instability with a final consequence being complete federalisation of Macedonia based on ethnic identities. We find no evidence of benefits exceeding the many costs in relation to this strategy. Why would the European Parliament seek to involve themselves in this "gamble"?
The MTO is of the firm and substantiated belief that forcing Macedonia to change its name is a fundamental breach of human rights and is a direct attack on the sovereignty of Macedonia. We are of the perception that the European Parliament appears to embrace Greece’s historical arguments whilst condemning Macedonia for any attempts to introduce debate on historical matters. We are not completely sure whose “historical arguments” are being attacked by the European Parliament in this current debate. Most Macedonians believe their fundamental human rights as Macedonians (not ancient Macedonians) should be more than adequate to be used in any naming debate. However, should Greece feel compelled to persist with historical debates, Macedonia is more than entitled to debate vigorously on these matters. With tens of thousands sites of archeological significance in Macedonia, there remains more than enough arguments for both common and uniquely identifying factors of historical significance.
Of particular concern to the MTO is the adoption of the “antiquisation” terminology introduced by the Macedonian opposition party and now embraced by the European Parliament. We note no names were mentioned by the European Parliament but feel compelled to remind the European Parliament that Greece has been doing this for the last 180 years starting from the “katharevousa” language experiment and ultimately culminating in a blatant denial of the existence of minorities living within its borders. Preferring instead to believe they are all direct descendants of ancient Hellenes instead. We do accept the process of “antiquisation” has transpired in many countries including Greece, Macedonia, England, France and Holland amongst others and believe the process was used to help forge national identities in many instances.
We would like to introduce a new term called “Macedonianisation” and contend that Greece has been going through what can only be described as a thorough “Macedonianisation” over the last 20 years. Examples including the renaming of the Micra airport in Thessaloniki to “MACEDONIA” through to the process of “cash for comments” by historians and journalists. (During 1989 to 1993 from secret funds of the Greek Foreign Ministry headed by Andonis Samaras, Greek journalists received $130 million dollars (US) to promote the "greekness of Macedonia" according to the testimony of former Prime Minister Constantinos Mitsotakis.).
Macedonians are more than justified in being offended with attacks on their identity given the ongoing attempts by consecutive Governments of Greece to negate and re-define them. The European Parliament should exercise caution in encouraging Greece to remain in such a position of belligerence.
Greece denies the existence of a Macedonian minority (amongst others) within its own borders even though the existence of ethnic Macedonians (from Greece) as minorities in all corners of the globe is readily proven. It would be impossible to reach consensus with Greece in relation to historical matters. What Greece often interprets as “hate speech” many others merely interpret as an affirmation of minority and/or human rights. Court cases held in the European courts have confirmed the prevailing attitudes in Greece in relation to its minorities. The Greeks have already been held accountable for their actions a number of times in the past.
The MTO is concerned that there appear to be two sets of rules as they apply to existing EU members like Greece and candidate countries like Macedonia. The consistent theme from this European Parliament resolution is that Macedonia is the only country to blame and, as a consequence, is the only country that must change. We cannot accept this as a statement of fact and strongly wish to register our disappointment with the European Parliament for not insisting Greece focus on its much more important economic issues rather than seeking to deny the rights of Macedonians.
We accept the prospect of EU membership has indeed driven many of the reform processes in Macedonia. We agree with many of the resolutions and note how well Macedonia has progressed in relation to fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria. However, we are concerned with some matters pertaining to your resolution specifically in relation to the following statements included in your review of Macedonia’s Political Development and Regional Issues;
8. Draws particular attention to the ongoing process of decentralisation, which is an important step in terms of helping the country to function better and improving inter-ethnic relations; stresses that, in order to ensure the successful implementation of this process, municipalities must be provided with sufficient funds to carry out their new tasks, and that their capacity to perform the competences transferred must be enhanced;
29. Recalls that, in accordance with the relevant European Council conclusions of 19 and 20 June 2008 and those of the General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Councils of 7 and 8 December 2008 and 8 December 2009, maintaining good neighbourly relations, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, continues to be essential;
30. Welcomes, to this end, the new, more positive climate between the governments of Macedonia and Greece following the recent elections in Greece and, in particular, the recent meetings between the two prime ministers; encourages the two countries to redouble their efforts at the highest level, especially in the framework of UN negotiations, in order to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, and stresses that the European Union should be ready to assist in the negotiation process; notes with concern the use of historical arguments in the current debate, including the recent phenomenon of so-called "antiquisation", which is liable to increase tensions with neighbours and create new internal divisions;
30. Welcomes, to this end, the new, more positive climate between the governments of Macedonia and Greece following the recent elections in Greece and, in particular, the recent meetings between the two prime ministers; encourages the two countries to redouble their efforts at the highest level, especially in the framework of UN negotiations, in order to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the name issue, under the auspices of the UN, and stresses that the European Union should be ready to assist in the negotiation process; notes with concern the use of historical arguments in the current debate, including the recent phenomenon of so-called "antiquisation", which is liable to increase tensions with neighbours and create new internal divisions;
Of particular concern to the MTO is the adoption of the “antiquisation” terminology introduced by the Macedonian opposition party and now embraced by the European Parliament. We note no names were mentioned by the European Parliament but feel compelled to remind the European Parliament that Greece has been doing this for the last 180 years starting from the “katharevousa” language experiment and ultimately culminating in a blatant denial of the existence of minorities living within its borders. Preferring instead to believe they are all direct descendants of ancient Hellenes instead. We do accept the process of “antiquisation” has transpired in many countries including Greece, Macedonia, England, France and Holland amongst others and believe the process was used to help forge national identities in many instances.
We would like to introduce a new term called “Macedonianisation” and contend that Greece has been going through what can only be described as a thorough “Macedonianisation” over the last 20 years. Examples including the renaming of the Micra airport in Thessaloniki to “MACEDONIA” through to the process of “cash for comments” by historians and journalists. (During 1989 to 1993 from secret funds of the Greek Foreign Ministry headed by Andonis Samaras, Greek journalists received $130 million dollars (US) to promote the "greekness of Macedonia" according to the testimony of former Prime Minister Constantinos Mitsotakis.).
Macedonians are more than justified in being offended with attacks on their identity given the ongoing attempts by consecutive Governments of Greece to negate and re-define them. The European Parliament should exercise caution in encouraging Greece to remain in such a position of belligerence.
32. Underlines the importance of reconciliation and understanding in the region, which are part and parcel of European values and principles, and encourages the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and neighbouring countries to engage actively in developing and implementing confidence-building measures in the fields of education and cross-border cooperation and generating a common understanding of history; calls on the authorities of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and neighbouring countries to avoid actions and statements which might adversely affect such efforts; notes that joint celebrations of common historic events with neighbouring EU Member States contribute to a better understanding of history and the maintenance of good neighbourly relations;
33. Calls on the authorities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to take the necessary measures to discourage "hate speech" relating to neighbouring EU Member States in the media and similar statements in school textbooks;
33. Calls on the authorities in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to take the necessary measures to discourage "hate speech" relating to neighbouring EU Member States in the media and similar statements in school textbooks;
The MTO is concerned that there appear to be two sets of rules as they apply to existing EU members like Greece and candidate countries like Macedonia. The consistent theme from this European Parliament resolution is that Macedonia is the only country to blame and, as a consequence, is the only country that must change. We cannot accept this as a statement of fact and strongly wish to register our disappointment with the European Parliament for not insisting Greece focus on its much more important economic issues rather than seeking to deny the rights of Macedonians.
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