European Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn on Wednesday strongly urged the government in Skopje to settle the name dispute with Greece, after announcing that he was ready to recommend that the bloc begin accession negotiations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
Noting that the Commission considered that FYROM had made “convincing” progress in key reforms and sufficiently fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria for the start of entry talks, he pointed out that the name dispute was now the final obstacle that remained to be overcome, as a matter of urgency.
“I trust that the Government in Skopje will take this as a very strong encouragement to finally settle the name issue,” Rehn said in statements after presenting the Commission’s annual enlargement report.
He stressed that the report underlines the need to maintain good neighbourly relations, including a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution to the name issue, under the auspices of the UN.
“Now it is indeed more essential and urgent than ever, for the sake of the country’s EU future,” the Commissioner added.
Meanwhile, it emerged that Stavros Dimas, the Greek EU environment commissioner, had expressed his opposition to the move in a letter sent to Brussels.
Reacting to Rehn’s comments, FYROM Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said, “We are aware of the importance of this report and… will actively and constructively negotiate and seek a solution with Greece under the United Nations auspices.”
Rehn also revealed that the EC was dissatisfied with the progress made by Turkey, another candidate for membership.
He called on Ankara to “revitalise” reform in the areas of “freedom of expression” and “women’s rights” and also stressed Turkey’s obligation as an EU member state to open its air and sea ports to EU member Cyprus, whose northern half is occupied by Turkish troops.