United Nations Radio

The President of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Branko Crvenkovski, told the UN General Assembly that his country is participating actively and constructively in the negotiation process with Greece, mediated by the UN, to resolve the dispute over the name of his country, although he called the issue 'absurd'.

Greece objects to the country using simply the name Macedonia, because it has a region with that name.

"As a responsible country, fully aware of its internationally undertaken obligations, the Republic of Macedonia is ready to accept a fair compromise and reasonable solution which is not going to deny our national and cultural identity."

President Crvenkovski deplored the fact that Greece has obstructed his country's bid to join NATO, before a compromise is reached, and has raised the same objections for its European Union integration, in breach of international law and an explicit agreement signed between the two countries in 1995.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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