In an interview with “360 Degrees”, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov talked about the ongoing name negotiations after the last meeting with Greek counterpart Nikos Kodzias in Ohrid.

He said that significant conditional progress was achieved in Vienna, but also that large mountains remain, that is, they remain open without solving the most difficult issues, such as the Greek demand for changing the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia and the scope of using the new solution. Dimitrov confirmed that from the four key elements in the negotiations (the new complex name, scope, language and citizenship), one stands as a difference, which also affects others.

– Perhaps I can only implicitly answer that in our goal of achieving a greater distinction because Greece is looking for it, in the interest of our future, opening doors, investing in this friendship with our neighbor, it is important for us not to pick up the identity, because we can not change this by agreement, nor any current policy, future, past, can do it, and here we have signals from Vienna, after that, now, which go in a good direction, but this solution is very important to be sustainable, and to be sustainable it must be It is dignified and still have a difference in the coverage element. I think it is important when measuring the steps and the future agreement, to take into account the current legal regime and to measure the agreement according to the reality, what is it now, and not in relation to the initial negotiating positions, since the initial negotiating positions can be many far from reality. It is therefore very important to know what the situation is now, and now the situation with the scope is very clear, we internationally have in some way a double formula. References The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is used by one third of the member states, in all relevant international organizations, we mainly use that reference … and this is the point from which the final result and the essence of the agreement should be measured. I think that in the projections of what is being discussed now, if there is a political will, one can find, perhaps with a degree of creativity, a way to touch their main interests, and to preserve our main interests. Here is the main challenge, how to do it – said Dimitrov.

Regarding the request for erga omnes, Dimitrov said that our name is Macedonia, and no one can intertwine or change it.

“The work is to find a distinction that will help solve this problem from our country Macedonia in relation to the” Macedonia “region in Greece, because the geographical region” Macedonia “is at least in three countries – said Dimitrov

Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov on a hot seat in the Top Theme on your side.
Macedonia solidarity with the West vs. Russia – how will it return Moscow, and like Europe and the United States? Are negotiations with Greece entering the photo-finishing? Tonight on these topics opposite the head of the Macedonian diplomacy, the journalists Lirim Dulovi, Slavica Arsova and Borjan Jovanovski.

The Minister said among other things:

Small countries have an interest in order in the world. The world today can not tolerate such type of non-selective attacks.
No matter how small or inexperienced we have things that I think it is worthwhile to stand still. It can hold the argument that when playing big, small ones have to snap to the side, but when our interests are concerned, it’s wise to play. It’s sometimes more dangerous to drive in an environment.
Why did you decide only for a Russian diplomat. Have you thought of more Russian diplomats?
The diplomat was not at the end of his term. There was no debate whether it would be one or two.
NATO is a unifying factor in our society and will send a calming signal to the region. We will continue to convince Russia that it is the road to a stable Balkans.
You act very safe. Do you have guarantees from the partners you consulted for the move?
We are all witnessing an incredibly increased worldwide interest in Macedonia. Stoltenberg showed it when he was in Skopje. It is clear that this is not only because of some sympathy, but rather that the interests overlap. This decision was made in very close consultation with partners.
From Vienna I have no expectations, but more hope. And I hope that we will make an effort to move, to make a step forward. We are debating the process very publicly when negotiating positions become publicly becoming national positions and this can badly affect the negotiations.
There is a desire to solve the issue from the Greek side. His opening is paid with political capital in both Greece and Macedonia. I am confident that Greece has a long-term strategic interest in Macedonia being a close ally.
A dignified solution to the name issue is what we will not be ashamed of. The name it is not is.
Western terminology knows ethnicity and citizenship, not nationality. The UN bill refers to citizenship. Currently, the column contains “Macedonian language” and citizenship of “FYROM”.
We can not feel special or as a special case. And when I say a dignified solution it can not be unreasonable. The equation how this can be solved, which we mean under the complete comprehensibility of Macedonia, which is understood in Greece, is different.
It is my duty to be optimistic and look for a way. There is one motto: If there is a way we will find it, if we do not. Does the region have a statutory alternative? No. This is our neighbors and the future and must be developed.
Dual formula was our formal position. While this is not over, we can where we want to go back. But it does not help kicking. There were mistakes on both sides.
In terms of our partners, of course, we all want to move. Their assessment will be how, when. It is never so exact as you expect now an answer from me.
If they do not leave behind shutters, there will be an adequate response. If language remains a problem, it will be an ugly moral defeat for all members.
The draft document from Macedonia has no new positions and they were previously discussed at the meeting of the state leadership, ie. leadership meeting and therefore we did not inform them. It can not be formatted for each step, especially if the position is the same, unchanged.