Mitsotakis: We can live 2-3 more years with unresolved name issue

If I have political responsibility, name dispute will be resolved when I consider that the solution will serve the national interests, Greek opposition New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis told private broadcaster Skai in an interview on Sunday when asked what would be his steps if elected Prime Minister in case name negotiations fail.

“We have lived twenty years with this problem, with this unresolved issue, so we can live for another 2-3 years. If I have political responsibility, the problem will be resolved when I consider that this solution serves the national interests,” Mitsotakis said, adding that his party never said that it does not want a solution, but it is necessary to comply with the Greek conditions, MIA correspondent reports from Athens.

Mitsotakis said Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told him he is discussing the name “Republic of Ilinden Macedonia.”

“It is the worst possible name. It is the erga omnes of irredentism,” he said.

“From the very first moment we set the national framework for a comprehensive package solution with a change of the constitution and a complete elimination of irredentism. Revision of the constitution is essential. I will be able to state my view when I have a specific proposal,” he added.

Regarding the public opinion in Greece and the attitude of many Greeks that the term Macedonia should not be included in the name, Mitsotakis said that one cannot ignore the fact that part of the public “regards this issue with a large degree of sensitivity,” but also that the Greeks, who after eight years of crisis “feel they are susceptible to a series of economic defeats, are unable, as they themselves perceive, to be subjected to something they see as national concession.”