Zaev: No need to change constitution

As two sides converge on name, FYROM PM says enough done against irredentism

It appears that Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) are gradually converging toward the choice of Gorna Makedonija (Upper Macedonia) as the solution that could resolve a longstanding disagreement between the two countries over the latter’s name.

However, notwithstanding the progress on the actual name, other points of dispute have arisen in the negotiations, particularly as relates to demands by Athens for a constitutional revision by FYROM.

FYROM’s prime minister, Zoran Zaev, said yesterday that he saw no reason for changing the country’s constitution. Zaev said Skopje has already taken a “big step” to tackle irredentism, noting that the country’s constitution was last changed in 1993.

Skopje has been striving to prove that “it has no ambitions, whether territorial or otherwise... that it has no irredentist aims,” Zaev said.

Along with calling for a composite name including a geographical qualifier, Athens has called for a change to FYROM’s constitution, expressing concerns about parts of it that suggest irredentist aims.

On Tuesday, Zaev said that Skopje is ready to accept a geographical qualifier to its name. He added that his cabinet decided to rename the capital’s airport “Skopje International Airport” from “Alexander the Great International Airport” and to rename a key national highway “National Friendship Road” instead of the current “National Road Alexander the Macedonian.” The Greek Foreign Ministry welcomed FYROM’s move to rename the airport and highway, referring to a “positive step.” Once the changes have been made, it is likely that Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will fly to Skopje to continue talks.