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 12 October 2008 00:16 BST

Greece refuses to allow Macedonia to join Nato alliance

Thursday, 06 Mar 2008 18:47
Macedonia's entry was blocked by Greece
Greece has refused to allow Macedonia to join the Nato military alliance.

Today, in a meeting of foreign ministers to discuss whether Albania, Croatia and Macedonia should be invited to join the alliance next month, Greece claimed they could only back two of the countries.

Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis said: "Greece supports the candidacy of Albania and Croatia".

But added, "issues which are intertwined do not allow us to take the same position [for Macedonia]".

Greece is blocking Macedonia's entry into the alliance because it shares the same name as a northern Greek province.

Nato general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said at the talks: "There's an ally, Greece, and a non ally, Macedonia. Nato works by consensus.

"I hope that between now and Bucharest we will find a solution," referring to the Nato summit in the Romanian capital in April.

Macedonia placed an advert in the Times newspaper recently outlining 30 reasons why it would make an excellent member of Nato.

US secretary of state Condoleezza also entered into to the argument saying: "We would hope that Greece and Macedonia will be able to accept a way forward."End of story


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