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Greek PM suspends Ministry of 'Macedonia and Thrace'
Friday, 23 October 2009
Greek Prime Minister Yorgos Papandreou decision to suspend the Ministry of "Macedonia and Thrace" with seat in Solun caused harsh reactions and discontent in Greece, Elefterotipia newspaper writes.
The present Minister for Macedonia and Thrace said that he believes that Papandreou decision to erase the name Macedonia from the Ministry Council might bring to question PASOK position regarding the name issue.
The ministry itself and the name 'Macedonia' had been created by the Karamanlis administration as a leverage in Athens' dispute with the Republic of Macedonia.
The new government has 36 members, 14 Ministers and 22 Deputies, whereas the former government had 44 members. Prior to the Greek elections Papandreou promised the return of all expelled Aegean Macedonians, return of their properties and restoring of their Greek citizenship.
The Aegean Macedonians are currently in the process of suing Greece for confiscated properties between 1946-50. The sum frequently mentioned in media is 12 Billion Euros plus 60 years of rent/usage owed.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Greek Prime Minister Yorgos Papandreou decision to suspend the Ministry of "Macedonia and Thrace" with seat in Solun caused harsh reactions and discontent in Greece, Elefterotipia newspaper writes.
The present Minister for Macedonia and Thrace said that he believes that Papandreou decision to erase the name Macedonia from the Ministry Council might bring to question PASOK position regarding the name issue.
The ministry itself and the name 'Macedonia' had been created by the Karamanlis administration as a leverage in Athens' dispute with the Republic of Macedonia.
The new government has 36 members, 14 Ministers and 22 Deputies, whereas the former government had 44 members. Prior to the Greek elections Papandreou promised the return of all expelled Aegean Macedonians, return of their properties and restoring of their Greek citizenship.
The Aegean Macedonians are currently in the process of suing Greece for confiscated properties between 1946-50. The sum frequently mentioned in media is 12 Billion Euros plus 60 years of rent/usage owed.
That was a sober decision by the new PM in Greece.
Now recognise the Republic under its constitutional name.