Foreign Minister Bob Carr has reaffirmed the government’s position on the FYROM name issue, despite receiving an award two weeks ago from a FYROM group, United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD).
The group held a gala dinner to advance ‘Australia Macedonia relations’ and use it as an opportunity to demand naming rights. But Senator Carr remained tight lipped on the night and said nothing about changing the UN approved name of the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
Talking to Neos Kosmos, the senator sympathised with the Greek community, saying the government hasn’t changed its stance.
“The Australian Government appreciates the sensitivity and depth of feeling in the community on the ‘name’ issue,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“Australian Government policy follows United Nations’ practice.”
During the gala, the Minister promised if re-elected, he would conduct an official visit to FYROM and work with key stakeholders to advance relations.
The UMD also submitted a letter to the Foreign Minster and Julie Bishop MP in which they are asked “to show political leadership and give bipartisan support for Australian recognition of Macedonia (FYROM) under its constitutional name without further delays”.
In previous interviews with the paper, Senator Carr has stressed that his connection to the FYROM community of Australia has not been centred around the name issue.
“My contribution to the Australian Macedonian community should not be read to imply any shift in Australian Government policy on the ‘name issue’,” he said.
FYROM has been campaigning to have its name recognised officially as Macedonia since it received independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Senator Carr has voiced that he would like to see better co-operation between Greece and FYROM to reach an agreement soon.
“We encourage the governments in Skopje and Athens to work together and we support the mediation process led by the United Nations Special Negotiator,” he said to Neos Kosmos.
“An agreement will benefit both countries, their communities and the wider region.”
MP Stephen Jones also joined the Foreign Minister at the event, and has been a strong supporter of FYROM. The federal member for Throsby made a speech in Parliament recently asking for a bi-partisan approach in recognising “the Republic of Macedonia under that constitutional name”.
Mr Jones described it as “unfortunate that in Australia we are expected to use the anachronistic name, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in formal address”.