Expressing Solidarity with Greece Ahead NATO Summit and Urging a Mutual Resolution to the Name Issue Regarding FYROM

Floor Speech

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for a resolution of a 15-year impasse on a mutually agreed upon name for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as we near the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Heads of State and Government summit in Bucharest, Romania. One of the major issues considered will be the expansion of NATO and the possible extension of membership invitations to Albania, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Greece is the greatest supporter and promoter for the realization of the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of all countries in S.E. Europe and has contributed to that end enormous human and financial capital.

Greece has been FYROM's best friend in the Balkan neighborhood by donating over $1 billion in aid and bolstering its fledgling market economy. While Greece wholehearted, however, cannot agree to the accession of FYROM that is wholly contrary to the principles of NATO.

According to the Membership Action Plan NATO adopted in 1999, potential members must first display a willingness ``to settle international, ethnic or external territorial disputes by peaceful means, commitment to the rule of law and human rights, and democratic control of armed forces.'' Clearly, the FYROM has failed to meet even this first criterion. The addition of FYROM to NATO would undoubtedly enhance the Alliance but only if it displays an adherence to the rule of law. FYROM must resolve the name issue in accordance with adherence to U.S. policy and a UN-brokered agreement that calls for ending negative propaganda against Greece by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and settling the name issue.

Madam Speaker, I hope that NATO and the international community will do the right thing by requiring FYROM to work with Greece in reaching a mutually agreed upon name resolution that comports with bilateral and international agreements. Once that is accomplished we can then and only then know that FYROM is serious about engaging in good neighborly relations.

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