Makedonec do Koska
Ultra-Poster
[h=3]Jason Miko: The name and identity of Macedonia cannot be changed[/h]Labels: News, Politik
What can be expected of Macedonia in 2014 regarding the so-called “Name dispute”? I do not expect big changes from Greece or from the international community, except continuous impersonal statements that both Macedonia and Greece must reach a “mutually acceptable solution” that does absolutely nothing in practice. Macedonia, for its part, has already made series of attempts to invite our Greek friends to sit at the same table wherever and whenever to discuss the issue. However, the offers did not reach the Greek and international ears, they were ignored. Here are some of my thoughts (in no particular order) concerning the subject at the beginning of 2014.
First point: If the idea of getting membership at EU and NATO is to achieve greater prosperity and if prosperity measured by GDP growth, then why is it necessary to join these groups when Macedonia’s GDP is growing even without being member of any of these organizations? I realize that I simplify things, but the point is that you do not need to be member of either of these two organizations to increase GDP. Of course, the leaders of both organizations and others, especially some leaders of non-governmental organizations, will say that you must be member of both organizations for your GDP to grow (and to become member you have to change the name and identity). In addition, this is a notorious lie.
These organizations, especially the EU, will also say that you have to join their little club for much more than a simple progress. You have to join all these “wonderful” cultural benefits they offer, increase of abortion at own will, gay marriage, and adoption, to mention few. They certainly will not force you to accept these things, but will put enormous pressure on you, especially if you are in the club.
Second point: It was said that Ambassador Nimetz proposed the name “Upper Macedonia” which will modify the form of government as republic. It was also announced that the Greeks sought “Upper” be inserted before “Macedonia”, which modify the name and identity of the state and the people. What no one so far pay attention to, as far as I know, is the use of the word “Upper”.
A few thoughts: If there is “Upper” there must be “Lower”. If Greece’s main argument is that “Macedonia” implies territorial claims on Greek Macedonia, then “Upper Macedonia” implies territorial pretensions to and the “Lower Macedonia”. The same problem occurs in every country called “North Macedonia” and that therefore every modifier must stand to form of the government, not the state. The last state what was called “Upper” was “Upper Volta”, i.e. “Republic of Upper Volta”, a country in West Africa from 1960 to 1984, when it was renamed to Burkina Faso (“Volta” refers to the river). In other words, “Upper Volta” disappeared and that the Greeks probably had in mind when they agreed to “Upper Macedonia”.
Third point: I have resorted to basic university course in Psychology and I will call it Psychology 101 under the U.S. system of appointment of university programs in discussing the reaction of the EU and NATO representatives when they spoke about Macedonia. Needless to say but if you want to build credibility with someone – be it an individual or group of people, first you have to show respect for him / them. When you have contact “one on one” with the other people it usually helps if you call them by their name. This is especially true in the service industry, when you are in a restaurant and the waiter / waitress wearing name plate, you call them by their name. It is documented fact that people throughout the world and throughout history they want to hear their name. It is part of the human need to be necessary as once noticed the daughter of Skopje, Mother Teresa. It is not acceptable to call the waiter: Hey boy, when is enough to say hey Igor! If this principle is applicable in the relations “one on one”, then it is as applicable to groups of people and nations.
In this context, I was also taken aback when Stefan Fule or Anders Fogh Rasmussen or any other leader in the EU or NATO will say “this country” or “your state” or whatever other than Macedonia. How they can expect to win the Macedonian people? How can they expect to build their own credibility at the Macedonian people if they cannot get them-selves to say “Macedonia” in public? Don’t they know the basics of “Psychology 101″? If these so-called leaders want credibility at the Macedonian people, then they will simply have to show little decency and respect.
Of course, efforts to join the EU now provide some economic benefits, as are pre-accession funds (IPA), which are helpful. But EU leaders – through their inability or refusal to utter “Macedonia” and “Macedonians” do not do anything to became favorite to the Macedonian people, because this looks a bit like marriage without love and joy. Yes, there is a legal relationship, but we all know that it leads nowhere and will probably break.
Finally, as I wrote many times over the years, the main thing is Macedonia to continue to work hard by focusing to the rule of law, prudent fiscal policy and continuous attraction of foreign direct investment and maintenance of a strong moral compass in the cultural sphere. This is the recipe for success for Macedonia and the name and identity of Macedonia cannot be changed.
Jason Miko
The author is manager of public relations from Arizona (USA) and longtime observer to the situation in Macedonia and Southeast Europe.
- - - Aktualisiert - - -
[h=3]First German diplomat to put Athens under pressure in terms of the name issue?[/h]Labels: Politik, Problemkind Griechenland
The Macedonian-Greek relations are to be one of the subjects of discussion of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier with the top officials in Athens.
“I believe I am heading to Athens well-prepared. My readiness also refers to the relations between Greece and Macedonia – a topic I am sure will be tackled. I’ll talk with Greece about all open issues, such as those related to the European Union, the economic crisis and the relations with neighbours,” Steinmeier tells the Deutsche Welle – Macedonian Language Program.
Yesterday, Steinmeier held talks with his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt. Asked about his engagement in resolving the long-standing Athens-Skopje name dispute that hinders Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, Bildt said he expected constructiveness from both Skopje and Athens.
“Skopje and Athens should be constructive. They should be ready to make a compromise that is obviously in the interest of both countries and one that will enable Macedonia to kick off the EU accession talks I consider as necessary. That is needed for the stability and will show that the country is making progress. Macedonia has been in a deadlock for a longer period of time and I believe it should be ‘broken’. But that requires good will from both Skopje and Athens,” Bildt said.
Steinmeier, who is visiting Athens on January 9-10, to discuss Greece’s EU Presidency and Greek financial situation with the country’s leadership – President Karolos Papoulias, Premier Antonis Samaras, Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, MPs and businessmen.
What can be expected of Macedonia in 2014 regarding the so-called “Name dispute”? I do not expect big changes from Greece or from the international community, except continuous impersonal statements that both Macedonia and Greece must reach a “mutually acceptable solution” that does absolutely nothing in practice. Macedonia, for its part, has already made series of attempts to invite our Greek friends to sit at the same table wherever and whenever to discuss the issue. However, the offers did not reach the Greek and international ears, they were ignored. Here are some of my thoughts (in no particular order) concerning the subject at the beginning of 2014.
First point: If the idea of getting membership at EU and NATO is to achieve greater prosperity and if prosperity measured by GDP growth, then why is it necessary to join these groups when Macedonia’s GDP is growing even without being member of any of these organizations? I realize that I simplify things, but the point is that you do not need to be member of either of these two organizations to increase GDP. Of course, the leaders of both organizations and others, especially some leaders of non-governmental organizations, will say that you must be member of both organizations for your GDP to grow (and to become member you have to change the name and identity). In addition, this is a notorious lie.
These organizations, especially the EU, will also say that you have to join their little club for much more than a simple progress. You have to join all these “wonderful” cultural benefits they offer, increase of abortion at own will, gay marriage, and adoption, to mention few. They certainly will not force you to accept these things, but will put enormous pressure on you, especially if you are in the club.
Second point: It was said that Ambassador Nimetz proposed the name “Upper Macedonia” which will modify the form of government as republic. It was also announced that the Greeks sought “Upper” be inserted before “Macedonia”, which modify the name and identity of the state and the people. What no one so far pay attention to, as far as I know, is the use of the word “Upper”.
A few thoughts: If there is “Upper” there must be “Lower”. If Greece’s main argument is that “Macedonia” implies territorial claims on Greek Macedonia, then “Upper Macedonia” implies territorial pretensions to and the “Lower Macedonia”. The same problem occurs in every country called “North Macedonia” and that therefore every modifier must stand to form of the government, not the state. The last state what was called “Upper” was “Upper Volta”, i.e. “Republic of Upper Volta”, a country in West Africa from 1960 to 1984, when it was renamed to Burkina Faso (“Volta” refers to the river). In other words, “Upper Volta” disappeared and that the Greeks probably had in mind when they agreed to “Upper Macedonia”.
Third point: I have resorted to basic university course in Psychology and I will call it Psychology 101 under the U.S. system of appointment of university programs in discussing the reaction of the EU and NATO representatives when they spoke about Macedonia. Needless to say but if you want to build credibility with someone – be it an individual or group of people, first you have to show respect for him / them. When you have contact “one on one” with the other people it usually helps if you call them by their name. This is especially true in the service industry, when you are in a restaurant and the waiter / waitress wearing name plate, you call them by their name. It is documented fact that people throughout the world and throughout history they want to hear their name. It is part of the human need to be necessary as once noticed the daughter of Skopje, Mother Teresa. It is not acceptable to call the waiter: Hey boy, when is enough to say hey Igor! If this principle is applicable in the relations “one on one”, then it is as applicable to groups of people and nations.
In this context, I was also taken aback when Stefan Fule or Anders Fogh Rasmussen or any other leader in the EU or NATO will say “this country” or “your state” or whatever other than Macedonia. How they can expect to win the Macedonian people? How can they expect to build their own credibility at the Macedonian people if they cannot get them-selves to say “Macedonia” in public? Don’t they know the basics of “Psychology 101″? If these so-called leaders want credibility at the Macedonian people, then they will simply have to show little decency and respect.
Of course, efforts to join the EU now provide some economic benefits, as are pre-accession funds (IPA), which are helpful. But EU leaders – through their inability or refusal to utter “Macedonia” and “Macedonians” do not do anything to became favorite to the Macedonian people, because this looks a bit like marriage without love and joy. Yes, there is a legal relationship, but we all know that it leads nowhere and will probably break.
Finally, as I wrote many times over the years, the main thing is Macedonia to continue to work hard by focusing to the rule of law, prudent fiscal policy and continuous attraction of foreign direct investment and maintenance of a strong moral compass in the cultural sphere. This is the recipe for success for Macedonia and the name and identity of Macedonia cannot be changed.
Jason Miko
The author is manager of public relations from Arizona (USA) and longtime observer to the situation in Macedonia and Southeast Europe.
- - - Aktualisiert - - -
[h=3]First German diplomat to put Athens under pressure in terms of the name issue?[/h]Labels: Politik, Problemkind Griechenland
The Macedonian-Greek relations are to be one of the subjects of discussion of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier with the top officials in Athens.
“I believe I am heading to Athens well-prepared. My readiness also refers to the relations between Greece and Macedonia – a topic I am sure will be tackled. I’ll talk with Greece about all open issues, such as those related to the European Union, the economic crisis and the relations with neighbours,” Steinmeier tells the Deutsche Welle – Macedonian Language Program.
Yesterday, Steinmeier held talks with his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt. Asked about his engagement in resolving the long-standing Athens-Skopje name dispute that hinders Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, Bildt said he expected constructiveness from both Skopje and Athens.
“Skopje and Athens should be constructive. They should be ready to make a compromise that is obviously in the interest of both countries and one that will enable Macedonia to kick off the EU accession talks I consider as necessary. That is needed for the stability and will show that the country is making progress. Macedonia has been in a deadlock for a longer period of time and I believe it should be ‘broken’. But that requires good will from both Skopje and Athens,” Bildt said.
Steinmeier, who is visiting Athens on January 9-10, to discuss Greece’s EU Presidency and Greek financial situation with the country’s leadership – President Karolos Papoulias, Premier Antonis Samaras, Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos, MPs and businessmen.
so what? Und ich glaube kaum dass ein Mongoloid wie du slawische Gesichtszüge von nicht slawischen erkennen kann :loser:
