Interview with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski with Dnevnik

One month of the passing of the judgment of the International Court of Justice in The Hague where Macedonia won the legal battle against Greece, after the New Year and Christmas break, the Government and the Macedonian diplomacy at the onset of 2012 are ahead of a serious challenge to promote truth and justice in the international community and to lobby for unblocking the Euro-Atlantic integration of the country before the summit of NATO in Chicago this spring. Prime Minister Gruevski says in his interview with Dnevnik that the great powers are totally disinterested in resolving the name issue and that he is not a pessimist but a realist when saying the chances are slim for Macedonia to join NATO at the summit in May.

- Are we going to be allowed to join NATO this year?
It would be just and deserved. I hope and wish that things do not turn out as in the old saying might makes right. Our job is to work with complete dedication.

- What “might” do you have in mind? Greece or the whole Alliance?
Both. At the moment both are saying the same about when we should join the Alliance. Both Greece and the NATO Secretary General say the resolution of the name issue is a condition for membership.

- Does this mean that you do not expect Macedonia to be invited to join NATO in Chicago?
I comment on what is being said both officially and unofficially. And not only Greece but also the USA and NATO say the same. First the name and only then NATO.

- You do not believe that the name issue can be resolved meanwhile?
Bearing in mind the current situation with Greece, there is not even a theoretical chance.

- Why?
Because Greece neither wants nor is able to resolve the issue now.