SAE RESOLUTION

We, Hellenes throughout the world, are deeply disturbed that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, continues to try to usurp a Greek name to which it has no historical right.

We are disheartened that in 15 years successive leaders of FYROM have shown no inclination to reach an accommodation on a final name for their country and have rejected all proposals for a solution to them.

We are alarmed that in all this time FYROM has ignored its international obligations to refrain from provoking its neighbor, Greece, by using symbols such as the star of Vergina and asserting in textbooks provided to school children that it has legitimate claims on Greek territory.

We are distressed that while Greece has tried to resolve the issue, negotiating in good faith year after year and boosting economic development in FYROM so much that it is now the number one investor in the country, Skopje has made no effort to reciprocate by moving to solve the name issue.

We fear that the leaders of FYROM believe that time is on their side and that the name they want will eventually be accepted if they simply do nothing.

We believe, therefore, that the time has come to show them that they have much to lose if they continue their intransigence and that it is in the best interest of their people to settle the name issue in a way that is fair and honorable for both countries.

We believe that for that to happen Greece must take a strong, decisive step to break the impasse that has prevailed on the name issue for 15 years and propose the following:

Whereas revising history and claiming the heritage of another people constitutes “cultural terrorism,”

Whereas FYROM continues to violate the terms of the interim agreement with Greece regarding its obligation to refrain from provoking its neighbor by using cultural symbols and making territorial claims.

Whereas FYROM and Greece have agreed to UN sponsored bilateral negotiations to arrive at a mutually respected final name of the multi-ethnic country, but FYROM has shown unwavering resistance to negotiate in good faith and has rejected over 150 proposals for the country. 

Whereas the United States has maintained a double standard on this issue by refusing to pressure Skopje to accept UN proposals for a settlement while pushing Cyprus to accept an unjust UN plan for solution.

Whereas the longer the issue remains unresolved, the more intransigent the leaders of FYROM become.

Whereas Greece will lose all leverage on the issue if FYROM gains admission to NATO and the European Union, and the long struggle of Greeks everywhere to defend their cultural and historical rights will be lost.

Therefore, we call on the political leaders of Greece to propose a joint resolution to the Greek Parliament that will state clearly and unequivocally that it will not approve the admission of FYROM into NATO or the European Union until the name issue is settled, and we call on all members of Parliament to vote for the resolution. To show the world that the Greek people stand united and unswerving on the issue, the resolution must be unequivocal and not allow any loophole for Skopje, such as gaining admission under a temporary name like FYROM. We, therefore suggest the resolution to state:

The Greek Parliament will not ratify any agreement for the admission of Skopje into NATO or the European Union even under a temporary name such as FYROM until an agreement is reached on a final name for the country.