New York, October 25 (MIA) - Macedonia wishes to take the place it deserves within the Euro-Atlantic community and with an assistance of the UN mechanisms to settle the absurd dispute, imposed by Greece, which in this manner violated its international obligations, President Gjorge Ivanov said Friday in his address at the 64th UN General Assembly.
Reiterating that the European Union and NATO membership are Macedonia's strategic goals, Ivanov said that today the country meritoriously expected an initiation of the EU entry talks, considering its impressive progress to that effect. Macedonia has also fulfilled all of the necessary criteria for NATO membership, being deprived from such status by its southern neighbor, the President said.
- The act of our southern neighbor was contrary to the obligations under the 1995 Interim Agreement. This was done i an attempt to influence the outcome of negotiations held under the UN auspices, thus acting completely opposite to the common vision for enlargement of the stability and security zone in South-East Europe, Ivanov said.
Nevertheless, Macedonia is sincerely dedicated to the progress in resolving the difference with Athens within the mechanisms of UN resolutions, the President said.
Despite Greece's flagrant violation of the international obligations , for which Macedonia filed an appeal to the International Court of Justice, Skopje has been taking active and constructive part in the UN-sponsored negotiation process, he added.
- I would like to state clearly that we are prepared to discuss the issues foreseen in the UN resolutions only. The Republic of Macedonia is prepared for a solution that is a reasonable and fair compromise, which shall not in touch upon, nor deny our national, cultural and linguistic identity in any way, a solution that shall obtain the legitimacy of the citizens. However, there is no more sovereign right that the right of self-determination and self-identification, a right cherished by many generations before us, Ivanov said.
Macedonia hopes for swift settlement and expects for Greece to abandon the policy of acting from position of power in order to unfavorably influence on the negotiations' outcome, the President said.
- I expect that the political leadership will anticipate the wider interests for a permanent stabilization of the region. We believe that with truthful, sincere willingness and preparedness we can reach a solution that will leave no winners and losers, Ivanov said.
Reiterating that the European Union and NATO membership are Macedonia's strategic goals, Ivanov said that today the country meritoriously expected an initiation of the EU entry talks, considering its impressive progress to that effect. Macedonia has also fulfilled all of the necessary criteria for NATO membership, being deprived from such status by its southern neighbor, the President said.
- The act of our southern neighbor was contrary to the obligations under the 1995 Interim Agreement. This was done i an attempt to influence the outcome of negotiations held under the UN auspices, thus acting completely opposite to the common vision for enlargement of the stability and security zone in South-East Europe, Ivanov said.
Nevertheless, Macedonia is sincerely dedicated to the progress in resolving the difference with Athens within the mechanisms of UN resolutions, the President said.
Despite Greece's flagrant violation of the international obligations , for which Macedonia filed an appeal to the International Court of Justice, Skopje has been taking active and constructive part in the UN-sponsored negotiation process, he added.
- I would like to state clearly that we are prepared to discuss the issues foreseen in the UN resolutions only. The Republic of Macedonia is prepared for a solution that is a reasonable and fair compromise, which shall not in touch upon, nor deny our national, cultural and linguistic identity in any way, a solution that shall obtain the legitimacy of the citizens. However, there is no more sovereign right that the right of self-determination and self-identification, a right cherished by many generations before us, Ivanov said.
Macedonia hopes for swift settlement and expects for Greece to abandon the policy of acting from position of power in order to unfavorably influence on the negotiations' outcome, the President said.
- I expect that the political leadership will anticipate the wider interests for a permanent stabilization of the region. We believe that with truthful, sincere willingness and preparedness we can reach a solution that will leave no winners and losers, Ivanov said.
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