Announcement regarding attempts by FYROM Foreign Ministry to disseminate misinformation regarding Panama, Mexico and Congo’s stance on the name issue

Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Athens , 20 October 2008

With today’s announcement by the Foreign Ministry of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the government of Mr. Gruevski is trying in vain to continue the operation of disseminating misinformation that it has been carrying out lately.

It is obvious that the government of Mr. Gruevski did not get the message from the latest categorical disclaimers by NATO and the Russian Foreign Ministry.

This is why, today, instead of any other answer to this new attempt to disseminate misleading information, we quote the official diplomatic announcements signed by the representatives of the governments of Panama, Mexico, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Note verbale of Panama’s Foreign Ministry
(Panama, 4 July 2008)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama is honoured to announce to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic that, following a series of discussions regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, we would like to assure you that the Government of the Republic of Panama will abide by the relevant United Nations resolutions on this country’s name, for international and bilateral purposes.

Furthermore, we would like to point out to the Government of the Hellenic Republic that the Republic of Panama supports UN efforts to reach a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue, and will implement, for all purposes, any outcome that will result from the negotiations held under the auspices of the United Nations.

Joint Press Statement – Meeting of Mexico’s Foreign Undersecretary Ambassador Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo and Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Yannis Valinakis
(17 October 2008)

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Yannis Valinakis met with Mexico’s Foreign Undersecretary Ambassador Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo in the framework of the 63rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. They reviewed the bilateral agenda and, in this context, they underlined the importance of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Greece and Mexico, which will take place on August 12, 2009. Both sides recognized that this milestone constitutes an excellent opportunity to further strengthen the relations of the two countries.

Undersecretary Gómez Robledo thanked Greece for its support for the candidacy of Mexico for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the period 2009-2010, and reiterated that the participation of Mexico in the Security Council will be aimed at promoting peaceful settlement of disputes; peace and stability; and upholding the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Deputy Foreign Minister Valinakis briefed Undersecretary Gómez Robledo on developments regarding the name issue of the State provisionally referred to as the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. In this regard, Undersecretary Gómez Robledo underlined that the Government of Mexico fully supports the United Nations efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution on the subject. He also assured that, pending settlement of the difference that has arisen over the name of that State, Mexico provisionally refers to that State as the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, in conformity with the relevant Security Council Resolutions 817/93 and 845/93, for all international and bilateral purposes.

Finally, Deputy Minister Valinakis and Undersecretary Gómez Robledo emphasized the readiness of both Governments to further promote trade and investment opportunities, taking full advantage of the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mexico.

Joint Press Statement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Greece
(Quebec, 18 October 2008)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi and Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Yannis Valinakis, met today in the city of Quebec, on the sidelines of the 12th summit meeting of “La Francophonie” Organisation.

Both men expressed their satisfaction with the good relations that exist between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Greece, and discussed ways to further improve and deepen these relations in the political, economic, and cultural sphere.

The two Ministers also discussed topical issues of particular regional importance. It is within this framework that Mr. Valinakis briefed Mr. Mbusa Nyamwisi on developments regarding the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Mr. Mbusa Nyamwisi pointed out that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo fully supports UN efforts with a view to finding a mutually acceptable solution on this issue, and assured Mr. Valinakis that, as long as the process for finding a solution is pending, the Democratic Republic of Congo shall refer to our neighbouring country as the “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” in all of its bilateral and international relations, in accordance with Resolutions 817/93 and 845/93 of the UN Security Council.

UPDATE (21-10-2008,01:10)
Who is lying ?

Foreign Ministry of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia........

On July 23, the Greek MoFA informed through local media that Panama had altered its position regarding Macedonia's name. Only two days later, Panama FM Samuel Lewis Navarro denied this information in a telephone conversation with Macedonian counterpart Antonio Milososki. Greek media did not inform on the denial, and hasn't mentioned Panama since.

or the Panameze Ambassador in Greece