Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has confirmed the Tsipras government will propose a composite name for FYROM during the next round of negotiations.
Kotzias made the clarification during a tv interview in which he clarified that the composite name will differentiate it from Greek Macedonia with geographic qualifiers, suggesting that the word ‘Macedonia’ will still be a part of the new name.
“I don’t think we should start discussing now [on television] one or the other name,” he said.
The idea of a composite name containing the word ‘Macedonia’ has not found appeal with many Greeks with many online petitions launched against such a move.
The Minister said the cabinet has decided on its proposals for the name which will be presented in meetings with representatives of the neighbouring country.
The minister reiterated that FYROM will not be able to join NATO if it does not come to an agreement on the name issue first a condition which Skopje is well-aware of, and rejected the need for a referendum in Greece.
Asked about the possibility of a referendum in FYROM he said it is a “domestic issue” for the country but warning that if the deal is rejected, “the cost for the country will be greater than what anybody can imagine today.”
