# CE2004070EN.01007901.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/79 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/79

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(2004/C 70 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2167/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(30 June 2003)

Subject:   Permanent solution to the problem of addressing the sensitivities surrounding the name of the state of Macedonia, taking account of the different demands of Macedonians, Albanians and Greeks

Subject:

| 1. | Does the Council recall that, following the withdrawal of the Republic of Macedonia from the former Yugoslav Federation, demands were made to add a specific designation to the name of the country to distinguish it from Greek Macedonia, which incorporates the three northern regions bordering the Republic of Macedonia and the Aegean Sea? |
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1.

Does the Council recall that, following the withdrawal of the Republic of Macedonia from the former Yugoslav Federation, demands were made to add a specific designation to the name of the country to distinguish it from Greek Macedonia, which incorporates the three northern regions bordering the Republic of Macedonia and the Aegean Sea?

| 2. | How long can the provisional compromise reached in 1993 be maintained under which, in a reference to the recent past, the words ‘former Yugoslav’ were inserted before the name ‘Republic of Macedonia’, in the light of the fact that the name ‘Macedonia’ is commonly used by everyone both within and outside the country, while the obscure English abbreviation ‘FYROM’ is used by the EU and certain other states? |
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2.

How long can the provisional compromise reached in 1993 be maintained under which, in a reference to the recent past, the words ‘former Yugoslav’ were inserted before the name ‘Republic of Macedonia’, in the light of the fact that the name ‘Macedonia’ is commonly used by everyone both within and outside the country, while the obscure English abbreviation ‘FYROM’ is used by the EU and certain other states?

| 3. | Can the Council confirm that in 1993 other extended names were also considered which did not relate to the past but to the present and future, such as Northern Macedonia, Nova Macedonia, Vardar Macedonia or Slavo-Macedonia? Was the latter name only dropped because the one-sided emphasis on a single large population group resulted in objections from the predominantly non-Slav population in the north and west? |
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3.

Can the Council confirm that in 1993 other extended names were also considered which did not relate to the past but to the present and future, such as Northern Macedonia, Nova Macedonia, Vardar Macedonia or Slavo-Macedonia? Was the latter name only dropped because the one-sided emphasis on a single large population group resulted in objections from the predominantly non-Slav population in the north and west?

| 4. | Does the Council consider, following the recognition, encouraged by the EU, of the equality of the two population groups which each form the majority in their respective regions of the country, that it would help contribute to permanent peaceful coexistence on the part of the two peoples in a common state if the names of both majority populations were to be included in the extension — sought by those outside — of the official name of the country? |
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4.

Does the Council consider, following the recognition, encouraged by the EU, of the equality of the two population groups which each form the majority in their respective regions of the country, that it would help contribute to permanent peaceful coexistence on the part of the two peoples in a common state if the names of both majority populations were to be included in the extension — sought by those outside — of the official name of the country?

| 5. | Is the Council prepared, in order to achieve a definitive solution and finally abandon the name ‘FYROM’, to look into whether a compromise between all concerned can be reached on the basis of a name like ‘Makedonija-Ilirdia’ or variants in which ‘Shipero’ or ‘Albano’ are added to the name of the country? |
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5.

Is the Council prepared, in order to achieve a definitive solution and finally abandon the name ‘FYROM’, to look into whether a compromise between all concerned can be reached on the basis of a name like ‘Makedonija-Ilirdia’ or variants in which ‘Shipero’ or ‘Albano’ are added to the name of the country?

Reply

(8 December 2003)

(8 December 2003)

The Council would remind the Honourable Member that the EU recognises the country in question as ‘the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’. This is also the name under which is was admitted as a Member to the United Nations on 8 April 1993 pending settlement of the difference that had arisen over its name.

It is up to the countries and parties most concerned, not to the Council, to come to a final understanding on the issue.

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