Macedonia does not have a problem with the European Union, but an EU member state has a problem with us. What will happen if we accept all Greek demands? That list of demands will never be closed, said Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov in an interview with a number of Macedonian media in New York. However, as in his address at the forum of the UN General Assembly, he expressed optimism that the name issue with Greece could be overcome and added that in the talks in New York there had been a lot of positive details that he could not present to the public considering the nature of the dispute.

“We are being mistreated because a member of the Union has a problem with us. The criticisms of the other EU member states against that one member state are getting increasingly louder. The status quo situation is untenable. Things are changing. What have we done to be in a situation like this? Imagine we relent and accept everything Greece demands. That list of demands will never be closed,” President Ivanov said.

While the Macedonian president is trying in New York to promote a firm Macedonian position, the Greek media say that Alex Rondos, the creator of the provisional reference FYROM before the signing of the Interim Accord, is getting involved in the talks between Skopje and Athens. Media do not say what role he would play.

Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas denied that Rondos had any connection with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but media, relying on certain information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, say that he receives instructions directly from Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.