Are these the reason for the change in Australia's position?
Aussie Document: Greece eventually will have to accept the use of 'Macedonian'
23 February 2012
An internal Australian government document released to the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that in relation to the use of the term 'Macedonian', the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) advises that:
" Greece eventually will have to accept the use of 'Macedonian' to describe nationality and ethnicity" (Ministerial Submission, 09-1054, 26/05/2009, page 12).
The confidential and frank Ministerial Submission prepared by DFAT for the Minister for Foreign Affairs provided background information and advice on the "name issue" between Macedonia and Greece. The document, although heavily redacted on alleged national security grounds, also contains information on the 1994 'Slav Macedonian Directive' which renamed the Macedonian community. The brief claimed that a change in the Australian Government's 'Slav Macedonian' policy might lead to a reaction from the Greek government and Greek community in Australia "who would fear a subsequent change in policy on the country name" and that a change in policy would "advantage" the Republic of Macedonia (Ministerial Submission, 09-1054, 26/05/2009, page 11-12).
On 13 February 2012, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) announced that after a sustained lobbying campaign, the Australian Government finally withdrew its discriminatory and racist 'Slav Macedonian' Directive which renamed the Macedonian community in 1994. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has also confirmed the re-adoption of the term 'Macedonian' in relation to the Macedonian community.
In relation to Greece's refusal to accept the official name of the Republic of Macedonia, the Australian Government has encouraged both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution to this issue. The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) encourages the Australian Government to convey its own advice to the Government of Greece that it will "eventually have to accept the use of 'Macedonian'. This advice should also be extended to include the inevitable acceptance of the recognition by Greece of the Republic of Macedonia's right to its democratically chosen name.
Over 130 countries (two-thirds of UN members) recognise the official name of Republic of Macedonia in their bilateral relationships. Despite the fact that all of Australia's major allies have recognised the Republic of Macedonia (eg. USA, UK, Canada) as well as other powers such as Russia, China and India, Canberra continues to use the so-called 'provisional reference' which was only intended for "all purposes within the United Nations", 'pending resolution of the so called name issue'.
Whilst the AMHRC is pleased with the Australian Government's current shift in policy toward the Macedonian community, it now reiterates its call upon the Government to take the sensible step of recognising the Republic of Macedonia by its democratically chosen name. We also reiterate our call upon the Macedonian government to end all name 'negotiations' with Greece.
23 February 2012
An internal Australian government document released to the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) under the Freedom of Information Act reveals that in relation to the use of the term 'Macedonian', the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) advises that:
" Greece eventually will have to accept the use of 'Macedonian' to describe nationality and ethnicity" (Ministerial Submission, 09-1054, 26/05/2009, page 12).
The confidential and frank Ministerial Submission prepared by DFAT for the Minister for Foreign Affairs provided background information and advice on the "name issue" between Macedonia and Greece. The document, although heavily redacted on alleged national security grounds, also contains information on the 1994 'Slav Macedonian Directive' which renamed the Macedonian community. The brief claimed that a change in the Australian Government's 'Slav Macedonian' policy might lead to a reaction from the Greek government and Greek community in Australia "who would fear a subsequent change in policy on the country name" and that a change in policy would "advantage" the Republic of Macedonia (Ministerial Submission, 09-1054, 26/05/2009, page 11-12).
On 13 February 2012, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) announced that after a sustained lobbying campaign, the Australian Government finally withdrew its discriminatory and racist 'Slav Macedonian' Directive which renamed the Macedonian community in 1994. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has also confirmed the re-adoption of the term 'Macedonian' in relation to the Macedonian community.
In relation to Greece's refusal to accept the official name of the Republic of Macedonia, the Australian Government has encouraged both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution to this issue. The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) encourages the Australian Government to convey its own advice to the Government of Greece that it will "eventually have to accept the use of 'Macedonian'. This advice should also be extended to include the inevitable acceptance of the recognition by Greece of the Republic of Macedonia's right to its democratically chosen name.
Over 130 countries (two-thirds of UN members) recognise the official name of Republic of Macedonia in their bilateral relationships. Despite the fact that all of Australia's major allies have recognised the Republic of Macedonia (eg. USA, UK, Canada) as well as other powers such as Russia, China and India, Canberra continues to use the so-called 'provisional reference' which was only intended for "all purposes within the United Nations", 'pending resolution of the so called name issue'.
Whilst the AMHRC is pleased with the Australian Government's current shift in policy toward the Macedonian community, it now reiterates its call upon the Government to take the sensible step of recognising the Republic of Macedonia by its democratically chosen name. We also reiterate our call upon the Macedonian government to end all name 'negotiations' with Greece.
UMD calls for opening of Australian embassy in Skopje
Melbourne, 24 February 2012 (MIA) - As a result of its submission to the Inquiry into Australia's Overseas Representation on 28 November 2011, the United Macedonian Diaspora - UMD (Australia) was invited to a public hearing by the Parliament of Australia, Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, in Melbourne on Thursday.
The hearing enabled the Committee to gain in-depth information from UMD Australia on the recommendations for improving Australia's diplomatic impact. In particular, the Committee was interested in UMD's views on the activities that Australia's diplomatic posts must undertake; their geographic location and spread; the appropriate level of staffing including locally engaged staff; and the affect of e-diplomacy and information and communication technology on the activities of diplomatic posts.
In the opening address, UMD Australia's Director of Australian Outreach Ordan Andreevski congratulated the Committee for initiating this timely and important inquiry, welcomed the Macedonian Consul General in Melbourne Savo Sibinoski as a special guest and gave a brief overview on the history, reach and impact of UMD in Australia, Canada and the USA.
"Australia's overseas representation and its ability to deliver soft power and better diplomatic, social, economic and international outcomes can be enhanced through fresh thinking, new leadership and new investments in strategy, operations and stakeholder engagement. This transformation can be enhanced and sustained if Australia's overseas representation is made a higher priority in the Australian federal budget and if it is expanded in neglected regions like South Eastern Europe in general and the Republic of Macedonia in particular", said Andreevski.
He noted, "Australia should recognise the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name and open an embassy in Skopje and a Consulate General in Bitola in 2012".
Melbourne, 24 February 2012 (MIA) - As a result of its submission to the Inquiry into Australia's Overseas Representation on 28 November 2011, the United Macedonian Diaspora - UMD (Australia) was invited to a public hearing by the Parliament of Australia, Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, in Melbourne on Thursday.
The hearing enabled the Committee to gain in-depth information from UMD Australia on the recommendations for improving Australia's diplomatic impact. In particular, the Committee was interested in UMD's views on the activities that Australia's diplomatic posts must undertake; their geographic location and spread; the appropriate level of staffing including locally engaged staff; and the affect of e-diplomacy and information and communication technology on the activities of diplomatic posts.
In the opening address, UMD Australia's Director of Australian Outreach Ordan Andreevski congratulated the Committee for initiating this timely and important inquiry, welcomed the Macedonian Consul General in Melbourne Savo Sibinoski as a special guest and gave a brief overview on the history, reach and impact of UMD in Australia, Canada and the USA.
"Australia's overseas representation and its ability to deliver soft power and better diplomatic, social, economic and international outcomes can be enhanced through fresh thinking, new leadership and new investments in strategy, operations and stakeholder engagement. This transformation can be enhanced and sustained if Australia's overseas representation is made a higher priority in the Australian federal budget and if it is expanded in neglected regions like South Eastern Europe in general and the Republic of Macedonia in particular", said Andreevski.
He noted, "Australia should recognise the Republic of Macedonia under its constitutional name and open an embassy in Skopje and a Consulate General in Bitola in 2012".
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