Prespes Agreement puts an end to any possibility of irredentism on Skopje’s part, Katrougalos says
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We are obviously committed to passing the Prespes Agreement because we believe it is mutually beneficial for both countries,” Alternate Foreign Minister George Katrougalos stated to Athens-Macedonian News Agency radio station “Praktoreio 104.9 FM” on Wednesday, ahead of his meeting in New York with UN special mediator on FYROM name issue Matthew Nimetz.
Referring to FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev’s statements on the “Macedonian language”, Katrougalos noted: “There were some unfortunate statements that we hope will not be repeated. However, they gave us the opportunity to once again look at what the Prespes Agreement says, because that is what matters – scripta manent. I believe that the positive things we should hold onto is not only the fact that these statements were afterwards explained, in a way that leaves no room for doubt over what the agreement says, but also, chiefly, that we understood that through the Prespes agreement every possibility for irredentism by the other side comes to an end. That’s what the agreement says and that’s why there were statements afterwards that restored the reality.”
On the reactions in Greece and the ratification prospects of the agreement when and if it comes to the Greek parliament he said: “I do not have the least doubt that it will pass”.
On the stance of Independent Greeks (the junior party participating in SYRIZA coalition government) Katrougalos said that “Kammenos has made clear his position from the beginning. He said he is against the agreement and yesterday (Tuesday) he clarified that if the agreement comes to parliament his ministers will withdraw from the government but he will not consent to a motion of censure against the government, so the messages are clear from this side”.
Referring to the foreign ministry’s announcement on Tuesday about a recent Albanian cabinet decision to arbitrarily hand over private properties belonging to members of the Greek national minotiry to the Albanian Tourism Ministry for development, Katrougalos clarified that Athens wants “Greek-Albanian relations to be good and to solve our problems together”. He noted that Greece was positively disposed toward Albania’s European course but only on the condition that Albania respects its obligations ahead of its European accession and, obviously, the rights of the Greek minority.
“What happened is an intervention in the rights of ownership of the people in our minority in Albania and it something that could not be left unanswered. [This answer] was given promptly and I believe in the right way by the foreign ministry. It is obvious that we will not leave things at making statements only; we expect that the necessary steps will be taken to respect the rights of the people of the minority and, obviously, that the neighbouring country does not proceed to a step that is contrary to its European obligations,” Katrougalos said.
In an announcement issued on Tuesday, the Greek foreign ministry called on the government of Albania “to rescind this decision and reconsider the law, ensuring that ownership deeds be immediately granted to all lawful owners without exception.”
“Such decision is contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights as well as to Albanian court rulings.
Both the decision and the relevant proposed bill of law amount to a flagrant violation of human rights, including the rights of ownership of the Greek indigenous national minority in Albania. Such actions are not consistent with the declared European aspirations of Albania and are contrary to its relevant obligations,” the foreign ministry announcement said.
Wednesday 12 December 2018, 14:02:16
Source: ANA-MPA
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