Deputy Minister’s first statement
‘I should admit that I was surprised by recent reports suggesting to a change in the practice of granting visas to FYROM passport-holders. Let me clarify that these reports fail to reflect reality. And that any other claim suggesting otherwise is simply and solely aimed at creating false impressions on a very sensitive issue as is the stance of Greece vis-à-vis the neighbouring country. These are issues which we have to be very careful with and not rush into conclusions.
Since 2009 the citizens of FYROM are exempt from the obligation to get a Schengen visa to enter Greece. Moreover, upon entering and exiting Greek territory an arrival/departure stamp is placed on a separate sheet of paper. There has been no change to this practice and there is no intention whatsoever of having it change. Whoever purports otherwise is lying, thus serving petty-political expediencies on the field of national issues.
I stress once more that there has been no change in the practice of visas for travel documents issued by FYROM. Greece is still not recognizing Skopje passports.
As to the stamping of the passports of citizens from third countries upon their entry to or exit from Greece, the position of the Greek State is determined by practical reasons bearing in mind the protection of Greek interests in fields such as security and combating terrorism, attracting tourism from third countries and allowing the passage of international carriers through Greek territory.
Moreover, this practice involves the passports of third countries, -not those of FYROM- and obviously this constitutes no recognition of the latter under its constitutional name. The representatives of political parties ought to know that, especially those representing parties which were in power when this practice was initially introduced for citizens of SE European countries.
As to the second question: it was clear from the answer I gave to the first question, that there is no change and therefore no association with the Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs). Moreover, I find it annoying to even entertain the mere thought that the CBMs have possibly led to a change in a standard practice regarding travel documents from FYROM. It is well known that CBMs are not linked to the name issue. CBMs are the outcome of our own initiative, aimed at stronger social and economic relations between Greece and FYROM. They contribute to creating trust. Concerning the name issue, conditions need to first ripen within the neighbour so that it is ready to accept a meaningful compromise. Yet, for the time being, the leadership of FYROM is still following its delaying tactics’.
Second statement by Deputy Minister:
‘In summary and as to the questions you posed:
Greece is continuing its standard practice of non-recognition of Skopje passports. Reports and publications suggesting otherwise are untruthful and possibly meretricious.
As far as third country nationals are concerned, whose passports bear a stamp from FYROM, the arrival/departure stamp is put on a separate sheet of paper. In cases of such passports having been stamped over the past by the Greek authorities, this is by no means suggestive of the recognition of FYROM by its constitutional name. It should merely be associated with the protection of Greek interests, e.g. security, combating terror, appealing to tourists.
There has been no change made to the Greek practice, therefore no one should claim that the alleged change of practice is linked to Confidence-Building Measures. CBMs are not connected, one way or another, to the name issue’.
September 30, 2016