“Australia’s policies on the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia remain unaltered. Australia recognizes the county by this name and our political line will not change as long as Greece and FYROM do not adopt a commonly accepted solution for the problem” told Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd to Greek-Australian Labor MP Steve Georgantas in a forum in Adelaide.
Moreover, the chairman of the Bank of Cyprus George Nikou asked the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister to comment on Australia’s policies towards Cyprus. Mr. Rudd said that his country recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus as a legitimate government and authority.
“Australia is supportive of the UN efforts to solve the issue between the northern and southern parts of the island in terms of a just and viable solution. Australia has a peacemaking mission in Cyprus since 1964 and will continue providing it as long as this is deemed necessary” concluded Mr. Rudd.
Mr. Rudd’s statement on the FYROM name issue was made just a few days after the so-called Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee met with PM Julia Gillard in Melbourne.
According to the Committee, the meeting was scheduled within their coordinated campaign aiming at convincing Australia to recognize FYROM by its ‘constitutional name’ “Republic of Macedonia”. Both the Australian PM and her attending Ministers did not comment on the Committee’s demand or make any commitment.
Australian citizens of FYROM origin have begun a campaign under the motto “It’s Time”, calling everyone to approach MPs of their area and ask them to revise the Australian foreign policy on the name issue and recognize FYROM by its name ‘Macedonia’ “as Australia’s allies have already done”. At the same time they are asking from Australia to create an Embassy in Skopje.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
