Like Aleksandar, other businesspeople in Gevgelija said they were growing weary of the name rift and want a quick resolution.
Zhana – she along with Aleksandar and others spoke on condition that their full names not be used – stocks her clothing store with goods bought in Greece and occasionally has Greek customers. The tensions with Macedonia’s Hellenic neighbor hurt commerce, she said, as well as Macedonians’ chances to seek more opportunities in Greece because of current visa restrictions on travel to EU countries.
“I’m not sure the government is doing enough [to compromise],” she said while sitting with two friends at a small cafe in the town’s market square. Referring to plans to build the 7-million-euro Alexander statue in central Skopje, she said, “It’s a stupid waste of money. Let them use the money to create jobs. We have many economic issues to address before we build statues.”
She also fears the dispute will hurt Macedonia’s opportunity to join the EU. Support for EU membership is high, especially among businesspeople and the youth. A Eurobarometer poll released in mid-September showed that 64 percent of those surveyed supported joining the EU, while 74 percent expected their country to benefit from membership. The optimism is also reflected through the nearly ubiquitous display of the blue European flag and its circle of gold stars on public buildings and businesses in this nation of 2 million.
Zhana – she along with Aleksandar and others spoke on condition that their full names not be used – stocks her clothing store with goods bought in Greece and occasionally has Greek customers. The tensions with Macedonia’s Hellenic neighbor hurt commerce, she said, as well as Macedonians’ chances to seek more opportunities in Greece because of current visa restrictions on travel to EU countries.
“I’m not sure the government is doing enough [to compromise],” she said while sitting with two friends at a small cafe in the town’s market square. Referring to plans to build the 7-million-euro Alexander statue in central Skopje, she said, “It’s a stupid waste of money. Let them use the money to create jobs. We have many economic issues to address before we build statues.”
She also fears the dispute will hurt Macedonia’s opportunity to join the EU. Support for EU membership is high, especially among businesspeople and the youth. A Eurobarometer poll released in mid-September showed that 64 percent of those surveyed supported joining the EU, while 74 percent expected their country to benefit from membership. The optimism is also reflected through the nearly ubiquitous display of the blue European flag and its circle of gold stars on public buildings and businesses in this nation of 2 million.
Gallup Poll: Macedonians will not change name for EU membership
95 percent of Macedonians would not change the name of the country in order for Macedonia to become a member of the EU, showed the latest opinion poll conducted by Gallup Balkan Monitor, presented in Brussels.
According to the survey, there are huge differences in readiness to sacrifice the name of the country among ethnic Albanians and ethnic Macedonians.
95 percent of Macedonians would not change the name of the country in order for Macedonia to become a member of the EU, showed the latest opinion poll conducted by Gallup Balkan Monitor, presented in Brussels.
According to the survey, there are huge differences in readiness to sacrifice the name of the country among ethnic Albanians and ethnic Macedonians.
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