German Foreign ministry spokeasman hails “major progress” of the Greece-FYROM deal
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Berlin welcomes the agreement between Athens and Skopje for resolving the name dispute, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Monday in reply to a question from the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA).
He also urged the political forces in both countries to support the deal and expressed concern over the protests taking place in Skopje.
“We were very pleased to see that the two foreign ministers signed the agreement yesterday. We expressly welcome this and it allows some optimism. At the same time, it is a source of concern that there are references and even violent demonstrations in Skopje opposed to the agreement,” Seibert said.
From the point of view of the German government, he added, the agreement constituted “major progress for both sides”.
“This agreement can remove obstacles to the cross-border development of trade and infrastructure, it will contribute to regional stability. We are convinced that, if there are parties that shortsightedly insist on nationalist positions, they are harming the agreement and many people in the region, who hope for stability and economic prosperity. The two heads of government, [FYROM Prime Minister Zoran] Zaev and [Greek Prime Minister Alexis] Tsipras made possible this truly significant compromise, which can end a dispute that has lasted for decades. The German government appeals with emphasis to all sides, to all the political forces in both countries, to support this compromise solution,” he said.
Source: AMNA