Greece and FYROM discuss trust-building measures

The reopening of a border crossing used by communist general Markos Vafiadis during Greece’s civil war and the restoration of a 19th century railway service are two of 11 confidence-building measures discussed between Greece and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which remain estranged over a name dispute.

The measures, which were announced during a meeting between Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and his FYROM counterpart Nikola Poposki in Skopje last week, also include joint projects in the fields of culture, trade, investment and education.

Locals in the Lake Prespa area on Greece’s border with FYROM and Albania have long called the authorities to reopen the so-called “Markos’s footpath” in a bid to boost traffic and trade with the Balkan country’s southwestern regions.

Meanwhile, residents in Florina, northern Greece, want the restoration of train services to Bitola (Monastiri), a town in FYROM’s southwest which draws thousands of visitors from both countries daily.

Trust-building measures are not expected to have any immediate impact on UN-brokered name talks which have remained stalled for 20 years. Debt-wracked Greece is not the only one facing more pressing concerns. Under Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, FYROM is heading for early elections in spring next year in a bid to ease the crisis dogging the country.

Asked about the dispute, Kotzias said it can be solved on the basis of international law and good-neighborliness.

“There are differences but for every problem there is a solution,” he said.