Zaev prepares the public for a solution

In the eve of the meeting of the foreign ministers Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias, in Ohrid on Thursday, messages arrive from Athens that resolving the name dispute for Greece is of great importance as for Macedonia. European Parliament Vice President and head of the SYRIZA MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis said in an interview with Greek television Skai that Zoran Zaev’s government has created an opportunity that Greece should not miss.
“We shouldn’t miss the chance to solve this issue. The Zoran Zaev-led government has opened a window of opportunity. There are difficulties, which in fact have left the dispute unsolved for 25 years. It is in our best national interest to find a solution to the name issue,” Papadimoulis said. He fell short of giving any predictions about the upcoming meeting of the foreign ministers of Macedonia and Greece, but he commented on the remarks of PM Zoran Zaev in his interview with the Macedonian Information Agency (MIA).

– PM Zaev’s comments are a proof that he is preparing his country’s public opinion about a possible name solution that will include some serious concessions on their part,” Papadimoulis said adding Brussels ‘almost unanimously’ supported the initiatives of PMs Tsipras and  Zaev to find a solution. By closing the issue, Papadimoulis elaborated, Greece would start to feel the economic benefits, especially in the north, and would be able to focus on the issue with Turkey.
– By resolving the issue of irredentism and the name with the neighbors in Skopje, we will be able to literally cut off all attempts to increase Turkish influence in the Balkans – says the vice president of the European Parliament and head of the MEP group SYRIZA.

Regarding the dilemma if a possible agreement would go to the Greek parliament, as the coalition partner in the Greek government has a program approved by parliament and supported by the Independent Greeks.

– I assess that despite the disagreement, Panos Kammenos will not overthrow the government because it is a coalition government of SYRIZA and the Independent Greeks, and is based on a program that has gained confidence from the Greek parliament. I recall that the government’s program speaks of a compound name, a common acceptance and a striving for a solution – explains Papadimoulis and assesses that if the agreement is within this framework, then it will be approved by a clear majority in parliament because it will be supported by MPs and parties from the opposition.