FYROM PM likely to visit Australia

The official visit of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, to Australia appears to be pencilled in although no official statements have been issued by either side.

Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to confirm if the visit has been finalised. The reply made it clear that any announcements regarding the visit will be made close to the date.

“I am unable to confirm your enquiry because high-level visits to Australia are not confirmed or announced until just prior to the visit, at which time an announcement is made in Australia and in the visitors’ country,” a DFAT spokesperson said.

Mr Gruevski’s Australian trip is programmed to take place at the end of October. Commenting on the ambiguous statement by DFAT, diplomatic sources noted that it appears that the visit has been finalised.

“Otherwise they would have said that Mr Gruevski is not coming,” one source emphasised.

The news of Gruevski’s visit have troubled Greek diplomats in different ways, as the FYROM PM is known for his recalcitrant approach to the name issue but moreover for his extreme nationalistic rhetoric against Greece.

Mr Gruevski is expected to sign a bilateral Social Security agreement, similar to the one signed by the Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis in 2007.

Concerns have been raised in relation to which name the government of FYROM will be recognised in the agreement.

Although DFAT has assured NKEE that the Australian position as far the name issue remains unchanged, the Gruevski visit could signal a dramatic shift.

Australia officially recognises Greece’s neighbouring country with its United Nations (UN) sanctioned name of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Greece and FYROM are currently in negotiations to resolve the long standing name dispute. Greece is refusing to accept the name “Republic of Macedonia” which the neighbouring country has adopted in its constitution.

“I cannot imagine Gruevski coming all the way to Australia to sign an agreement under the UN sanctioned name,” a veteran Greek diplomat pointed out.

The move would be considered a political fiasco in his country, the diplomat added as he has championed the hardline stance of FYROM towards Greece.

It is indicative that after Greece vetoed FYROM’s ascension to NATO during the Bucharest Summit in April of 2008, Mr Gruevski has gone as far as comparing Greece to Nazi Germany.

“The silence over similar obstacles and vetoes reminds me of another era, when Czechoslovakia was annexed and no European state found the courage to stand up to the Nazis, who later evolved into a monster,” Mr Gruevski had stated in January of 2009, referring to the European Union position regarding the Greek veto.

Greek Australian circles have already expressed their concerns for the anticipated visit of Mr Gruevski and have decided to send letters to Australian politicians calling for the maintenance of the status quo as to the name issue.

The president of the Australian Macedonian Advisory Council (AMAC), Nikos Koukouvitakis, had recently underscored this need.

“We want to make sure that Australia will not be changing its position on the issue.” Certain Greek-Australian leaders are even fearful that a possible surprise move could take place on the part of Australia, despite the continuous assurances to the contrary given by Australian politicians including the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd during the pre-election campaign of 2007.

For this reason they are pursuing meetings with senior government officials who will publicly and categorically lay these fears to rest.

Some extreme elements within the Greek-Australian community have even suggested the undertaking of more dynamic action in response to Mr Gruevski’s visit.

Up until now these voices have not gained ground in the debate with the more rational and cool approach prevailing.

“If several hotheads attempt to organise demonstrations in order to ‘welcome’ Gruevski this will most certainly play in to the hands of Skopjans,” one Greek- Australian leader said speaking on the condition of anonymity.