Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras pledged that negotiations with FYROM over the name dispute will be done in the spirit of patriotism and responsibility in the country’s interest.
Tspiras made the statements following his briefing on FYROM with the leaders of the other Greek political parties on Saturday.
"I pledge that in the coming future I will seek with patriotic responsibility, a mutually acceptable solution. It is the Greek government and my own, responsibility to close as many possible fronts and to build a new dynamic image" said the Greek PM.
Tsipras noted that he briefed the political leaders in detail and explained to them that "an opportunity window has opened as FYROM's new political leadership shows willingness to negotiate for a mutually acceptable solution to a problem that undermined our relations in the last 25 years.
"FYROM's political leadership has withdrawn, at some point, the irredentist rhetoric of the previous years" added Tsipras, referencing also the example FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev's move to rename Skopje's international airport and Thessaloniki-Skopje motorway from Alexander the Great to Road of Peace. But he was also quick to note that "the symbolic gestures do not mean that the irredentist problem has been resolved as our neighbours' political will should take the form of clear and specific engagements in the context of the deliberations conducted at bilateral level as well as in the framework of UN mediation".
"Everybody must understand that a non-solution will be against Greece's interest and against the stability in the wider region" he continued.
He also recommended "realism, prudence, modesty and spirit of understanding if we want to serve the national interest".
The Greek PM said that during his briefing, with most political leaders he had a sincere and responsible discussion that could lead to political convergence and broader consensus.
"Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the leader of the main opposition (New Democracy, Kyriakos Mitsotakis) said Tsipras adding that "I believe that his stance is an indication of weakness to state clearly his political position".
