DIPLOMATS AIR THEIR VIEWS

Kathimerini
Dec 2 2009
Greece

OSCE summit an opportunity for talks on FYROM name row but no
progress made

As representatives from 56 different countries converged in Athens
for talks on global security yesterday, Greek interest appeared to
be focused more on diplomatic exchanges on the sidelines of the event
than on the central proceedings.

Opening the two-day conference of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), whose rotating chairmanship Greece
currently holds, President Karolos Papoulias noted, "Dividing
lines remain; old disputes have not been solved and new threats
are appearing inside and beyond our borders." Prime Minister George
Papandreou subsequently referred to the ongoing row between Armenia
and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh as well
as problems in Georgia.

But on the sidelines of the conference, another dispute was the
focus of debate. Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and
his counterpart from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Antonio Milososki, discussed the longstanding rift between their
two countries over the Balkan country’s official name. According
to sources, the talks were cordial but unproductive with the two
sides simply "agreeing to disagree." Speaking to reporters after the
conversation with Milososki, who also spoke briefly with Papapandreou,
Droutsas said the conference "offers us the opportunity to discuss
not only issues of concern to the OSCE but our own issues too… ahead
of the European Union summit in 10 days’ time."

Debate at the OSCE conference yesterday focused on security in the
region, though other pressing issues, such as illegal immigration
and climate change, were also discussed.

A proposal made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for a
new security pact for the Euro-Atlantic region was coolly received
by Western diplomats, who instead proposed the reform of existing
security provisions.

The conference, which concludes today, ran smoothly following the
mobilization of thousands of police officers. French Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner praised Greece for making "an exceptionally efficient
and substantial effort" during its yearlong chairmanship, which is
to be assumed by Kazakhstan in January.
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From: Katia Peltekian <kpeltekian@gmail.com>
Subject: Athens: Diplomats air their views

Kathimerini, Greece
Dec 2 2009

Diplomats air their views

OSCE summit an opportunity for talks on FYROM name row but no progress made

As representatives from 56 different countries converged in Athens for
talks on global security yesterday, Greek interest appeared to be
focused more on diplomatic exchanges on the sidelines of the event
than on the central proceedings.

Opening the two-day conference of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), whose rotating chairmanship Greece
currently holds, President Karolos Papoulias noted, â??Dividing lines
remain; old disputes have not been solved and new threats are
appearing inside and beyond our borders.â?? Prime Minister George
Papandreou subsequently referred to the ongoing row between Armenia
and Azerbaijan over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh as well as
problems in Georgia.

But on the sidelines of the conference, another dispute was the focus
of debate. Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas and his
counterpart from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Antonio
Milososki, discussed the longstanding rift between their two countries
over the Balkan countryâ??s official name. According to sources, the
talks were cordial but unproductive with the two sides simply
â??agreeing to disagree.â?? Speaking to reporters after the conversation
with Milososki, who also spoke briefly with Papapandreou, Droutsas
said the conference â??offers us the opportunity to discuss not only
issues of concern to the OSCE but our own issues too… ahead of the
European Union summit in 10 daysâ?? time.â??

Debate at the OSCE conference yesterday focused on security in the
region, though other pressing issues, such as illegal immigration and
climate change, were also discussed.

A proposal made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for a new
security pact for the Euro-Atlantic region was coolly received by
Western diplomats, who instead proposed the reform of existing
security provisions.

The conference, which concludes today, ran smoothly following the
mobilization of thousands of police officers. French Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner praised Greece for making â??an exceptionally efficient
and substantial effortâ?? during its yearlong chairmanship, which is to
be assumed by Kazakhstan in January.

icles_politics_100002_02/12/2009_112970