Macedonia and NATO

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  • King Niko
    Junior Member
    • Sep 2015
    • 81

    I have never seen some of this information before, interesting to read!
    It is getting quite old for Greece to keep playing these games.

    Comment

    • Risto the Great
      Senior Member
      • Sep 2008
      • 15658

      Greece, Russia to expel diplomats in Macedonia tussle ahead of NATO summit



      ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece will expel two Russian diplomats suspected of meddling in the politically sensitive issue of Macedonia, a Greek diplomatic source said on Wednesday, as NATO prepares to invite the former Yugoslav republic to join the alliance.

      Russia said it would respond in kind to the Greek move, in a rare diplomatic tussle between two Orthodox Christian nations that have traditionally enjoyed warm relations.

      Macedonia is expecting an invitation at the NATO summit in Brussels this week to join following its landmark deal with Greece whereby it will change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Moscow strongly opposes NATO expansion.

      A member of Russia’s upper house of parliament, Andrei Klimov, told RIA news agency that Moscow would expel two Greek diplomats in response. He did not mention Macedonia or give further detail about the matter.

      The Greek diplomatic source told Reuters Athens would expel two diplomats and bar two other Russians from entering the country due to concerns that they were involved in rallies in Greece against the deal with Macedonia and that they had attempted to offer money to Greek state officials.

      Athens raised its concerns with Moscow and asked the diplomats on July 6 to leave Greece, the source said, adding that they were given a “reasonable period” of a few days to pack their bags.

      “These expulsions are justified because they concern illegal activities at the expense of our national security,” the source said. “However, the warnings of expulsions from the Russian side are unjustified because our (diplomats) act within the limits of their duties.”

      Greece and Macedonia have both seen many protest rallies against the name accord, particularly in the run-up to the signing of the accord by their prime ministers on June 17.

      BIG CHILL
      Athens and Moscow have traditionally had good relations.

      Greece did not join most other NATO allies in March in withdrawing diplomats from Moscow over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in England. Britain blamed Russia for that incident. Moscow denied involvement.

      “(This is) an amazing and highly significant development given close ties between Athens and Moscow,” said James Ker-Lindsay, senior visiting fellow at the London School of Economics. “It is a clear warning not to abuse friendship. Extraordinary!” he tweeted.

      Moscow regards NATO enlargement as a direct threat to its own security. Many countries that were once in Moscow’s orbit have joined NATO and the European Union since the fall of communism in 1989.

      Greece had long blocked Macedonia’s bid to join NATO and to start European Union membership talks because it says the country’s name implies a territorial claim over a northern Greek province also called Macedonia.

      Macedonia will only join NATO after its people have endorsed the deal with Greece in a referendum.

      Additional reporting by Denis Pinchuk in Moscow; Editing by Gareth Jones
      Not sure if Macedonians can genuinely call this help from Russia. But it is a good example of how to utilise their interest in having some influence in Macedonia by keeping it out of NATO. A smart Macedonia would be playing the superpowers off against each other for some genuine support. (A dumb SeveredFyromian state would not)
      Risto the Great
      MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
      "Holding my breath for the revolution."

      Hey, I wrote a bestseller. Check it out: www.ren-shen.com

      Comment

      • Risto the Great
        Senior Member
        • Sep 2008
        • 15658

        Macedonia: The protocol for NATO membership will be signed in January 2019

        SKOPJE – In January 2019, the protocol for NATO membership will be signed, meaning that Macedonia will start to participate in NATO structures – but without the right to vote, and the accession negotiations with the Alliance begin in the second half of this year, the government announced today. After...


        SKOPJE – In January 2019, the protocol for NATO membership will be signed, meaning that Macedonia will start to participate in NATO structures – but without the right to vote, and the accession negotiations with the Alliance begin in the second half of this year, the government announced today.

        After signing the protocol for membership, the Government informs that ratification in all 29 parliaments of the NATO member states begins in accordance with their domestic procedures. The ratification takes time – about a year, after which Macedonia will become a full member of NATO.

        During the accession talks, the Republic of Macedonia will have to confirm that fully accepts the provisions of the NATO founding treaty and all political and legal standards of the Alliance, and also to confirm and accept the NATO defense planning process and the connection with the military structures.

        In addition, one of the tasks will be the elaboration a program for the continuation of domestic reforms such as the rule of law reforms, independence of the judiciary, fight against corruption and organized crime, security and intelligence services reforms, as well as full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement and full implementation of the agreement with Greece.
        A vote for NATO is a vote for the Ohrid Framework Agreement. This should be widely communicated to the sheeple.
        Risto the Great
        MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
        "Holding my breath for the revolution."

        Hey, I wrote a bestseller. Check it out: www.ren-shen.com

        Comment

        • Niko777
          Senior Member
          • Oct 2010
          • 1895

          From today in Skopje

          Comment

          • Soldier of Macedon
            Senior Member
            • Sep 2008
            • 13670



            US sees Macedonia in NATO in mid-2020 after name change deal

            04 Dec 2018

            SARAJEVO: The United States expects Macedonia to join NATO in mid-2020 by which time its name change deal with Greece should be fully implemented despite Russian efforts to undermine it, the top U.S. official for the Western Balkans said on Tuesday. Skopje's agreement to change the country name to Republic of North Macedonia, ending perceptions that it held territorial claims to the Greek province of Macedonia, lifted a big obstacle to Macedonia joining NATO and the European Union, a move the West believes would help stem Russian influence in the region.

            "I don't think there is any reason not to believe that North Macedonia could become the 30th member of NATO as early as 18 months from now," Matthew Palmer, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, told Reuters in an interview in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo.

            "That is an entirely realistic target date," he said, praising the breakthrough agreement in June between Greece and Macedonia as the "most significant positive development" in efforts by Western Balkans states to achieve EU and NATO ties. He noted that NATO had already invited Macedonia to join the alliance and the process could move quickly upon full implementation of the name change accord, which must still be ratified by the Macedonian and Greek parliaments. Still, Palmer voiced concern about the "malign influence" of Russia both in Macedonia and in other countries of the Western Balkans - Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. He accused Russia of trying to undermine governments and institutions in an effort to halt the region's progress towards EU and NATO integration. Moscow has denied such accusations, accusing the West in turn of meddling in the Western Balkans.

            "It's not up to Russia to decide what Macedonia may or may not do in terms of how they associate themselves with European and Euro-Atlantic institutions," Palmer said, referring to Russian criticism of the Macedonian government.

            "Efforts to undermine the expressed will of the Macedonian public are destabilising and damaging to the regional peace and security," he added. Palmer said the United States supported dialogue between Serbia and its former province of Kosovo, which obtained independence after a 1998-99 war, and wanted them to return to negotiations. "Agreement between Belgrade and Pristina would be a great step forward after (Macedonia's name change deal)," he said, adding that Washington opposed the 100 percent tariffs imposed last month by Kosovo on Serbian and Bosnian goods. Kosovo has said it will retain the tariffs until Belgrade recognises it as an independent state.
            So, in summary, North Macedonia is becoming part of standard nomenclature and a Macedonian position of integrity with respect to the name and identity is being tied to Russian ‘meddling’ (apparently our own patriotism isn’t even ours anymore). Russia has no right to influence who Macedonia associates with yet the EU and NATO can do whatever they like in the Balkans at large. And the tyrants, traitors and slaves continue to conspire against suffering Macedonia.
            In the name of the blood and the sun, the dagger and the gun, Christ protect this soldier, a lion and a Macedonian.

            Comment

            • Risto the Great
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2008
              • 15658

              "Efforts to undermine the expressed will of the Macedonian public ...."
              Fail
              Risto the Great
              MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
              "Holding my breath for the revolution."

              Hey, I wrote a bestseller. Check it out: www.ren-shen.com

              Comment

              • Gocka
                Senior Member
                • Dec 2012
                • 2306

                Yippee. now NMK can do everything that is has been doing for the last 20 years accept we will get a fancy NATO patch to put on our army uniforms. What progress! Maybe they can throw in a scratch and sniff sticker or two, you know to sweeten the pot a little, make it all worth while. If it helps every Macedonian can give up an organ or two, on the house as a show of good faith on our part.

                What a group of garbage people we are.

                Comment

                • Tomche Makedonche
                  Senior Member
                  • Oct 2011
                  • 1123

                  Macedonia signs Nato accession agreement

                  This comes after Greece backed a deal to rename its neighbour North Macedonia, ending a long row.


                  Macedonia signs Nato accession agreement

                  Nato states have signed an agreement with Macedonia, clearing the way for the Balkan nation to become the military alliance's 30th member.

                  Each Nato member will now need to ratify the accession protocol.
                  Last month the Greek parliament backed a deal ending a 27-year row over its northern neighbour's name.

                  They approved the name Republic of North Macedonia. Greece had blocked Macedonia's membership saying the name implied territorial ambitions.

                  The Greek region of Macedonia includes the country's second city Thessaloniki. Greek lawmakers approved the deal despite widespread opposition from the public.

                  Macedonia's Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov said the country would change its name "in a matter of days" following the signing of the accession protocol.

                  "This wasn't inevitable - this wasn't even very likely to happen," he said, praising the political leaders on both sides who proved "the impossible is actually doable".

                  "This is a family that strives to make our world more peaceful and a better place. This is a journey that has made us more mature... we have proven that we can assume our responsibility, face a problem, and resolve those problems," he said.

                  "In a matter of days, we'll resolve the last remaining dispute we have with any of our neighbours."

                  The prolonged dispute meant that until now Greece also frustrated Macedonia's drive to join the European Union.

                  What happens next?

                  Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the signing was "a historic day".

                  It is not quite the final hurdle - but the long journey to becoming North Macedonia has definitely entered the home straight, BBC Balkans correspondent Guy De Launey reports.

                  Nato membership is the first significant prize for the Macedonian government, our correspondent adds.

                  Macedonia would have reached this point a decade ago - but Greece had blocked its membership.

                  Now Greece is set to become the first country to ratify the accession protocol. That is likely to happen this week, our correspondent adds.

                  Then Macedonia will inform the United Nations and other institutions about its new name.

                  Why is the deal so divisive?

                  The row has run deep in both countries since Macedonia became a new nation after the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991.

                  Many Greeks were enraged that their northern neighbour - a Slavic country - had adopted a Hellenic name that dates back to antiquity.

                  The Greek region, which includes the birthplace of Alexander the Great, is considered an intrinsic part of Greek heritage.

                  At the UN, its neighbour became known simply as Fyrom, an acronym for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and attempts to resolve the matter foundered for decades.

                  What is in the deal?

                  The deal was signed last June by the two countries' prime ministers.
                  It means that Macedonia will now become the Republic of North Macedonia, or North Macedonia for short.

                  Macedonia has already ratified the agreement and will inform the United Nations that the accord has been reached.

                  Aside from the name change, the deal carries assurances that there will be no attempt to appropriate the other country's territory.

                  Within a month, a commission will be set up to look at the two countries' history books, to ensure there is an objective interpretation of the past.
                  “There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part, you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus and you’ve got to make it stop, and you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all” - Mario Savio

                  Comment

                  • Tomche Makedonche
                    Senior Member
                    • Oct 2011
                    • 1123

                    NATO allies gathered in Brussels have signed the accession protocol paving the way for Macedonia's membership into the alliance.


                    NATO, Macedonia Sign 'Historic' Pact, Paving Skopje's Way To Membership

                    NATO's 29 members have signed an accession agreement with Macedonia, a key step toward Skopje becoming the military alliance's 30th member.

                    The move on February 6 followed a historic deal between Macedonia and Greece that removed Athens' objections and normalized relations between the neighbors.

                    Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov signed the agreement along with representatives from the current 29 NATO member countries during a ceremony presided over by the alliance's chief, Jens Stoltenberg.

                    "Today is a historic day. All #NATO Allies have signed the Accession Protocol with Macedonia, which will bring more security & prosperity to the whole region. I look forward to the day when 30 flags will fly outside NATO HQ," Stoltenberg tweeted after the ceremony.

                    Macedonia and Greece last year approved an agreement under which the former Yugoslav republic agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, paving the way for the country to join NATO and the European Union.

                    Speaking at a joint press conference with Stoltenberg, Dimitrov praised the leadership of Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and his Greek counterpart, Alexis Tsipras, to resolve the name dispute.

                    “It was easier to sit in the trenches of history. It was easier to even score political points by maintaining the dispute. But what they dared to do was invest political capital for the benefit of the two peoples of the two nations and the whole region and NATO as a family, as an alliance," he said.

                    Zaev tweeted that it was a "great, historic day for all our citizens. Today the largest security alliance in the world, NATO, has welcomed us."

                    Macedonia has said it expects Greece to be the first NATO member to ratify the accession protocol, after which the country will begin to call itself by its new name.

                    Since 1991, Greece has objected to the name "Macedonia" because it has a northern province with that name.

                    The name change deal, dubbed the Prespa Agreement after the border lake where it was signed last year, ends a 27-year dispute between the two neighbors.

                    In Athens, the speaker of Greece's parliament, Nikos Voutsis, said a ratification bill would be submitted to lawmakers on February 7 and would be voted on by February 8.

                    Russian President Vladimir Putin has also warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia, two ex-Soviet republics that also aspire to join NATO, which is headquartered in Brussels.

                    After the Macedonia signing protocol, Stoltenberg praised Georgia, an ex-Soviet republic that also aspires to join NATO, despite Russia's vehement opposition.

                    "We are very encouraged by what we see in Georgia, their commitment to reforms, the commitment to strengthening defense and security institutions, transparency, judiciary reforms," the NATO chief said.

                    "We will continue to support Georgia as it moves towards NATO membership," Stoltenberg also said.
                    “There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can’t take part, you can’t even passively take part, and you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus and you’ve got to make it stop, and you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all” - Mario Savio

                    Comment

                    • Vangelovski
                      Senior Member
                      • Sep 2008
                      • 8531

                      Opaaaa

                      500 evra za site!!

                      If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

                      The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution. John Adams

                      Comment

                      • Niko777
                        Senior Member
                        • Oct 2010
                        • 1895



                        Comment

                        • Gocka
                          Senior Member
                          • Dec 2012
                          • 2306

                          LMAO make it rain bitches!

                          I wonder what Macedonians will say when their state budget now has to spend tens of millions on defense instead of hand outs.

                          Comment

                          • VMRO
                            Senior Member
                            • Sep 2008
                            • 1462

                            Originally posted by Gocka View Post
                            LMAO make it rain bitches!

                            I wonder what Macedonians will say when their state budget now has to spend tens of millions on defense instead of hand outs.
                            Macedonia will go bankrupt sooner than later... prior to any sort of NATO accession.

                            That dvojazichnost crap will drain everything they have from the coffers.

                            Albanians will all be translators... number one job in the country.
                            Verata vo Mislite, VMRO vo dushata, Makedonia vo Srceto.

                            Vnatreshna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija.

                            Comment

                            • Phoenix
                              Senior Member
                              • Dec 2008
                              • 4671

                              Originally posted by Gocka View Post
                              LMAO make it rain bitches!

                              I wonder what Macedonians will say when their state budget now has to spend tens of millions on defense instead of hand outs.
                              I think the full increase in the Defence budget to meet NATO requirements will require double the amount Macedonia currently spends...NATO demands 2% of national GDP to be allocated.

                              This amount of money can ba a challenge for prosperous and functional economies...let alone a nation mired in endemic dysfunction.

                              Comment

                              • Gocka
                                Senior Member
                                • Dec 2012
                                • 2306

                                Originally posted by VMRO View Post
                                Macedonia will go bankrupt sooner than later... prior to any sort of NATO accession.

                                That dvojazichnost crap will drain everything they have from the coffers.

                                Albanians will all be translators... number one job in the country.
                                Very good point. On top of that think of all the costs that will be incurred on the name change front. They want to increase pay for public workers and pensions.

                                They will go bankrupt. Unlike Greece who is already in the EU, Macedonia won't have anyone to bail them out.

                                Originally posted by Phoenix View Post
                                I think the full increase in the Defence budget to meet NATO requirements will require double the amount Macedonia currently spends...NATO demands 2% of national GDP to be allocated.

                                This amount of money can be a challenge for prosperous and functional economies...let alone a nation mired in endemic dysfunction.
                                Absolutely. Most of the members in Europe apart from the few biggest economies constantly balk at the spending requirements. Also Trump has been flirting with demanding increases in contributions.

                                There will be money flowing, but those morons don't understand that the money will be flowing in the wrong direction!

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