Between Myths and Reality – Macedonia between Turkey and the European Union
Between Myths and Reality – Macedonia between Turkey and the European Union

Summary/Abstract: The spirit of Alexander the Great still stirs ghosts between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia is on its way to the EU and Greece represents an obstacle for these processes in the aftermath of the name dispute and the Greek veto on the Macedonian membership in NATO and the EU. The major asset Greece has in regards to Macedonia is the veto power over the future accession talks Macedonia could have with international organizations, especially with the EU. Instead of Greece taking Macedonia under its wing, Macedonia continues to be perceived as a threat to Greek national security. The fact that Greece slowed down Macedonian EU integration process is concerning. Turkey, on the other hand, is becoming more important for Macedonian state and its politics. Greece, hampered by the economic crisis, has no significant impact in relation to Turkey. Turkey also threatens to freeze all its relations with the European Union by July 2012, when the Greek part of Cyprus will take over the EU Presidency. Therefore simple logic could be applied here – where there is a strong Greece there is a weak Macedonia – and the other way around – with weakened Greece, Macedonia could connect more with Turkey. Consequently the questions remains: to whom will Macedonia turn to in the future?

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