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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-03-17
CONTENTS
[01] PM, DM discuss upcoming NATO summit
[01] PM, DM discuss upcoming NATO summit
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis met Defence Minister Evangelos
Meimarakis on Monday to discuss issues concerning the defence ministry
and the upcoming NATO summit. With regard to the name dispute between
Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),
Meimarakis said the Greek government had set forth its views fully and
clearly and that it was now up to the other side to take the steps
required to come closer to Greece's views, "otherwise it would itself
be responsible for the outcome."
Greece has softened its stance by agreeing to a new composite name for
FYROM that contains the term 'Macedonia' as long as this is combined
with an acceptable qualifer, preferably one that is geographical, and
is the single name used for the country. Athens has made it clear,
however, that it will not consent to an invitation to FYROM to join
NATO unless the issue of the name is first resolved through a mutually
acceptable agreement.
Asked if Greece will assist other countries in the destruction of
outdated ammunition and ordnance -- following a massive and deadly
explosion at a depot outside Tirana, Albania -- the minister said this
had been done several times in the past with required safety
procedures, since human error could lead to costly mistakes.
Caption: File photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, dated Friday,
14 March 2008. ANA-MPA / G. ANTONIOU
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