Pavlopoulos calls for a name without irredentist claims

The northern neighbor should make name changes that leave no scope for irredentist claims, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said during his meeting Monday with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, who is in Greece for a two-day official visit.

Pavlopoulos added that our country would also have to make amendments to the Constitution, which would pave the way to NATO and the EU, MIA’s correspondent from Athens reports.

Pavlopoulos briefed his Israeli counterpart on issues Greece is working on at the moment, including the Cyprus dispute, as well as Greek relations with Turkey, Albania, and Macedonia.

Regarding Macedonia, Pavlopoulos said that Athens supports our efforts to join the EU, and NATO integration. “Greece wants FYROM to join NATO,” he said.

“This can only happen, however, if the name chosen to resolve the dispute between Greece and FYROM over the latter’s name leaves no scope for irredentist claims,” he said. “Therefore, FYROM must, in its name, withdraw all signs of irredentism and carry out the necessary reforms in its legal order, in its Constitution. This will pave their way to NATO and the EU.”

Prokopis Pavlopoulos gave this statement only a day ahead of the talks that UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will hold in Athens.