“The Greek position to the name is not understandable and is unjustified. Macedonia has a natural right to use its constitutional name under which it became an independent country. We have no understanding for any qualifier such as upper, lower or north. We live in a global world in which peace and understanding should rule.”

The well known stance of Turkey regarding the name issue was reiterated once again by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Skopje Thursday. Asked by a reporter how he saw the Greek block of Macedonia’s European integration, the Turkish prime minister said: “You will join the EU before we do. Good luck!”

He added that Turkey had always supported Macedonia’s bid for joining NATO, yet the problem was Greece.