Greece’s thin red line
The fresh proposal made by United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz on the ongoing name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) has caused disappointment in Athens. The mediator’s new suggestion regarding the recognition of a «Macedonian minority» alone indicates that his proposal has crossed one of the red lines set by Greece’s foreign policy makers. For this reason, it is imperative that the conservative New Democracy government in Athens make it clear to all sides concerned that the Greek veto at the NATO summit in Bucharest was by no means for appearance’s sake. Greece will not to lift its objections unless its vital interests are safeguarded. It makes sense for Washington officials to be backing the FYROM government in Skopje. Similarly, it makes sense for Nimetz to be pushing for a quick settlement. However, the United Nations mediator also has to realize that there are some red lines that are non-negotiable for Greece.
