The public hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague on Macedonia's suit against Greece for violating the 1995 bilateral Interim Treaty by objecting to Macedonia’s application to join NATO, will begin on Monday.

The hearings, as the court announced, will be open for public and will be conducted in two phases.

In the first phase the Macedonian side will present arguments on March 21-22 before the judges, while on March 24-25 Greek representatives will present counter arguments. Team representing Macedonia on March 28 will have the opportunity to respond orally to defence of Greece and oral hearing will end on March 30 with closing remarks by the Greek side.

Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki will represent the Republic of Macedonia, while Macedonian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Nikola Dimitrov is the co-representative. The team also includes four law professors from London, Washington, Brussels and Sorbonne, as well as two professors from the Skopje-based Faculty of Law.

The verdict is expected to be given within six months or by the year-end.

On 17 November 2008, the Republic of Macedonia instituted proceedings against Greece for a flagrant violation of Greece's obligations under Article 11 of the Interim Accord signed by the Parties on 13 September 1995. The Republic of Macedonia requests the Court to order Greece to take all necessary steps to comply with its obligations under Article 11, paragraph 1