The last round of talks for surpassing the name issue imposed by Greece 15 to 20 years ago practically confirmed by previous assumptions that Athens will try to buy time and to “blame game” presenting that it is doing everything, makes its best to resolve the problem but we are firm and unyielding and do not want the problem to be resolved, PM Nikola Gruevski stated Saturday.

From the information I have received it was clear that mediator Nimetz wanted to visit Skopje and Athens during February. He afterwards offered two dates, the first was on February 4 and the second on February 15 but the other party did not receive this with expansiveness. I publicly confirm that we are maximally prepared to welcome and to hold talks on February 4 or 15 or any other date. We’ll see whether Greece will agree to receive Nimetz because if he will arrive he will visit two countries. It is his usual practice. In order to avoid any speculation I once again publicly confirm the two dates and publicly call on him to visit first Athens and afterwards Skopje, as it was agreed and to continue the talks, Gruevski said answering journalist question after opening the sports hall in “11 October” primary school in Skopje.

He said he regrets that Greece is trying to buy time in this way in order the period by end of March to come when they will say now elections will be held and we cannot hold talks.

I regret that still the international community is closing the eyes before what the Greece is doing. Why Greece is doing this we will see in the following period. I hope as time goes by, the position of Greece will not be so much supported by the international community and it will not buy time forever, Gruevski said.

Regarding the Greek accusations for the parody at Vevcani carnival, Gruevski assessed that implying the Vevcani masks as reason to delay talks for surpassing one of the largest problems in the Balkans as well as mystification of NATO allies and EU partners is nothing else but bigger parody than the one in Vevcani.

We will continue to work for our membership in the NATO and EU and I am convinced that this position of Greece cannot last forever and this Greece’s game must be ended one day, Gruevski said.

Asked to comment the statements by the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker that more courage is needed for resolving the problem, Gruevski answered “Surely we will make everything to have bigger courage but also other NATO member states should have courage and to accept the verdict of the International Court of Justice.”