Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Bob Carr (Australia): no policy change on FYROM

Foreign Minister sticks to UN name and praises Australian Macedonian contributions
31 Jul 2012 (neokosmos)
Foreign Minister Bob Carr has maintained the UN approved name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia despite receiving correspondence from MP Harry Jenkins to do otherwise.

Last week Neos Kosmos reported on a letter sent to the Foreign Minister by MP Harry Jenkins urging him to formally acknowledge FYROM as the Republic of Macedonia.

A spokesperson for Senator Carr told Neos Kosmos his contribution of the Australian Macedonian community should “not be read to imply any shift in Australian Government policy on the ‘name issue’.”
I recognise that many Australians identifying as Macedonian originate from the Greek province of Macedonia. The Australian Government will continue to use the term former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) until the name issue is resolved between the governments in Athens and Skopje,” they said.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced in a statement this week that relations are strong between Australia and FYROM and said “much of the vibrancy in our bilateral relationship derives from the human links which tie our countries together.”
The Pan Macedonian Association felt compelled to write to the Foreign Minister to condemn Mr Jenkins letter and campaign for the name to remain the same.
Any reference to the FYROM as “Republic of Macedonia” is historically incorrect, provocatively confronting and - therefore - understandably offensive to Australians of Greek heritage who view this as an appropriation of the (Greek) name Macedonia which is integral to Greek identity and history, over thousands of years,” they said in their letter.
Victorian coordinator of the Australian Hellenic Council of Victoria, Mr Peter Jasonidou, told Neos Kosmos Mr Jenkins’ letter provokes the already good relationship Greeks and Macedonians have.
“We’re coexisting with the Australians from FYROM and we’re enjoying a good relationship of coexistence that we have had for a number of years, these sorts of utterances definitely inflame the situation and it’s unfortunate coming from such a senior politician. Perhaps he’s got nothing better to do than involve himself and find something to make himself be more relevant,” he said.
Mr Jenkins has denied multiple attempts by Neos Kosmos for an interview and has said nothing to help his strong Greek electorate understand why he has gone to these measures.
The Macedonian name issue has been a strong point of difference between both communities for many years.
Mr Jasonidou believes much of the work done to repair a rocky relationship with the Macedonians has been trampled on by Mr Jenkins actions.
“Unfortunately these sorts of stances fuel fire and create community unrest,” he said.
There are more than 250,000 Greek speakers in Australia, with just under 69,000 Macedonian speakers according to the 2011 census.
In his statement, Senator Carr praised the Macedonian community in enriching Australian culture.
“The Macedonian community in Australia has made significant contributions to business, sport, education and industry,” Senator Carr said.
“Australian society has been enriched by Macedonian culture, heritage and traditions.”
neokosmos
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