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As the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia tottered on the brink of renewed ethnic violence yesterday, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed the need for foreign peacekeepers to remain there, under the umbrella of either NATO or the European Union.
He also expressed the fear that tension could escalate further in Greece's northern neighbor. «We have seen in the past small groups being able to create polarization down ethnic lines and this is quite worrying,» Papandreou said at an EU foreign ministers' meeting in Denmark. «Immediately when we see any sign of a possible crisis, we need to be there.»
The EU's intention of taking over the peacekeeping mission when NATO's mandate expires on October 26 has stumbled on the EU's inability to forge an agreement on the Euroforce acceptable to both Athens and Ankara. Papandreou said if there is no agreement, the EU could take over in FYROM without NATO support or with an ad hoc arrangement to use the alliance's assets. Alternatively, NATO could renew its mandate.
Greece currently chairs the EU's European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), as Denmark, the EU's current president, has opted out of defense and monetary issues. Papandreou also spoke with Reuters late on Thursday at a conference in Sweden on conflict prevention. He said that efforts were being made to break the deadlock between Greece and Turkey but that the uncertain political climate before Turkey's November 3 elections could be «an impediment for real movement.»
In Seville in June, Greece and its EU partners agreed on a deal in which an agreement between Turkey, the USA and Britain (known as the «Ankara text») would be amended to make clear that a NATO country could not attack an EU member, and that a declaration would be made that «consultations and cooperation between the EU and third countries does not undermine its autonomy in decision-making, nor can it work against the integrity and national sovereignty of (EU) member states.» Turkey wants a say in the force's activities.
Papandreou said he would not like to consider the prospect of no peacekeeping force in FYROM. «I think the situation is... still tense,» he said. «I think the Balkans are moving toward a success story but we need to maintain vigilance and presence at many flashpoints in the Balkans, and one of them is Skopje.» The fresh violence comes ahead of September 15 elections in FYROM. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_4686666_31/08/2002_20372
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