Macedonia should call for a resolution and confirmation from the UN for using its name considering that in 20 years the name never caused any international or domestic problems with Greece or any other country, says the first mediator in the Greek-Macedonian dispute, Robin O’Neil. In his view, Macedonia’s reasonableness, flexibility and willingness to discuss are going to secure it support in reaching an agreement over the name issue, Vecer reports.

O’Neil also praised the initiative of President Gjorge Ivanov aired at the recent conference in Geneva where Ivanov said that a name with a geographic qualifier did not suit Macedonia, but it was worth considering the proposal “Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)” and explaining to the Macedonian citizens that this proposal was not going to threaten the Macedonian identity.

Greece refused this proposal in 1992 and seems to be refusing it still. However, that should not be a reason for Macedonia not to express willingness for a new discussion, Ambassador O’Neil said in his interview with PORTA on MTV.

In Mr. O’Neil’s view, any name that the governments in Skopje and Athens agree upon has to be verified in a referendum.

“Only if Greece agrees to the proposal to be tested in a referendum, can that agreement be a final solution to the dispute. If that is not the case, why would the Macedonians vote for it?” he said.

Robin O’Neil suggested Macedonia to demonstrate to the Greek Government that it has no benefit from the policy of setting Macedonia continuous ultimatums. If Greece continues to refuse discussions about resolving the issue in a constructive way, according to O’Neil, Macedonia should start seeking a solution with other parties too, such as the EU, NATO or the UN.