ICJ public hearing in Macedonia's suit against Greece ends
31. March 2011. | 07:45
Source: MIA
The Hague court should declare it has no jurisdiction on Macedonia's suit and define the Skopje demands as inadmissible, the Greek Ambassador and representative before the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), George Savaides, said on Wednesday.
The Hague court should declare it has no jurisdiction on Macedonia's suit and define the Skopje demands as inadmissible, the Greek Ambassador and representative before the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ), George Savaides, said on Wednesday.
If the Court declares itself to be in charge of the case and consider the demands as admissible, it should pass a verdict saying that the applicant's requests are ungrounded, Savaides said at he final session of the public hearing in Macedonia's suit against Greece before the ICJ for violating the 1995 bilateral document by objecting to Macedonia's application to join NATO.
Maria Telalian, also a Greek representative before the Court, said Athens considered that the Macedonian party was the one that had breached the accord on several occasions, in particular the obligations related to the negotiations on the name row settlement.
Members of the Greek team, Yale and Cambridge Universities Professors Michael Reisman and James Crawford respectively, referred to the issues related to the Court jurisdiction and the link between the Article 11 and 22 of the Interim Accord.
Paris University Professor Alain Pellet elaborated Macedonia's alleged violations of the accord by its attitude in the name negotiating process and persistence to use its constitutional name in international organizations instead of the interim reference – an obligation that derives from the UN Resolution 817.
After the presentation of Greece's counter-arguments Judge Mohamed Bennouna asked the Greek team what was the position on Macedonia's NATO membership Athens had been presenting before and during the Bucharest Summit in its contacts with other member countries. Greece should submit its answer to both the Judge and Macedonia in a written form by April 7. Macedonia on its part should submit its comment to the Greece’s response by April 14 at latest.
The ICJ verdict, which is final and binding for UN member-states and parties in the dispute, is expected within six months or by the year-end.
Macedonia took Greece to the UN court seeking a ruling that Athens illegally vetoed its application for NATO membership three years ago in breach of a 1995 agreement to support its membership of international organizations under the name "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."
Comments (22)
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31. March 2011. 13:47:47
| Nick
11
No matter what the Court rules nothing is going to change on the ground.FYROM will gain access to EU/NATO only after the dispute.Period
31. March 2011. 15:26:52
| James Bond 007
8
Once the ROMacedonia wins at the ICJ, next step would be the UN General Assembly where they will do a vote, and let's not forget Niki that 131 countries recognize the ROMacedonia and only 13 are on Greece's side....then Greece cannot veto. Hello NATO and EU.
Ps. Don't you have other things to worry about like your bankrupt nation instead of fighting with your neighbors? You should have counted your kombolies without skipping a bead....see what happens when you are not good at math?
31. March 2011. 16:42:05
| Macedonian for Life
6
Greeks are scared because they know Macedonia can gain their land back if they are admitted under Macedonia. They aren't stupid.
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| Ime
8
FYROM will never steal Greek history!! Go back to your Slavic roots and find yourselves..
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| Ime
7
at "Macedonian for life"... these are exactly the irredentist comments that your people are using to get your Greek neighbours upset over this issue. Your people must accept your Slavic descent, stop all irredentist propaganda against your Greek Macedonian neighbours and come up with a name solution that satisfies both parties.
As far as Slavs that used to live in Greece? Well that land will be yours once Greeks can get back Constantinople and Smirni. Greeks have accepted this won't happen, and so should the small group of people that once lived in Greece. It is the unfortunate reality of past wars and ethnic tensions. You should learn from these, and be friendly with your neighbours. If not, then one need not look further than the growing Albanian population within your nation. You need not worry about the Greeks, you have bigger problems within your own country.
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| ImeMike
2
Really funny how Greece is afraid of the Mighty Macedonian War Machine. Are they afraid of the the Macedonian Air Force, Battle Tanks or Howitzers? Maybe they're afraid of the new wedge formation.
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| rezz
4
As a Greek Macedonian in Thessaloniki, I could care less what the Skopjeans would like to call themselves. They can start calling themselves Americans if they would like and it would not effect me or the true history of region in any way.
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| Macedonia is Greece
5
Macedonia is, and always will be Greek! Lies and stealing identity will not get FYROM anywhere! James Bond go f*** yourself
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| alban
2
i want the case to be in favor of the macedonians, greece is a manipulated coutry with no real history, and no connection to the ancient greeks....the only history they have is GENOCIEDS AGAINST HUMANITY, they are RACIST NATION and a BANKRRUPT LAND which people will open their own graves before they even retired
31. March 2011. 22:05:56
| The reality
4
@James Bod and M for life are clearly delusional.The ICJ has been a medium to futher exposed your pseudo claims.Your government and yourselves are your worst enemy.