February 28, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Greece would be in favour of blocking a bid by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if a lingering dispute over the country’s name is not resolved, according to a poll by MARC published in Ethnos. 83.7 per cent of respondents support a veto.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in Greece would be in favour of blocking a bid by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if a lingering dispute over the country’s name is not resolved, according to a poll by MARC published in Ethnos. 83.7 per cent of respondents support a veto.

Greece has insisted that Macedonia is properly known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in international organizations. However, more than two-thirds of United Nations (UN) member states—including the United States—have recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name: Republic of Macedonia.

Greece has also expressed concerns over future territorial claims to one of its provinces, which is also known as Macedonia. Despite the controversy, the two countries signed a trade accord in 1995.

In December 2005, the European Union (EU) granted "candidate status" to Macedonia. The country is expected to be invited to join NATO at a summit in April. Greece has vowed to oppose Macedonia’s entry into both organizations, unless it does so as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

On Feb. 21, former Macedonian foreign minister Emil Kirjas decried Greece’s reluctance to accept his country’s short name, saying, "Any state that applies for membership is given the criteria and should not be given additional criteria by any other country. (...) Greece is acting illegally to put this extra condition on Macedonia to join NATO or the EU. (...) If Macedonia joins NATO, it means that the question of the existence of the state and its territorial integrity has been put to rest."

Polling Data

Do you think Greece should veto Macedonia’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) if the dispute over the country’s name is not resolved?

Yes	83.7%
No	11.2%
Not sure	5.1%

Source: MARC / Ethnos
Methodology: Interviews with 800 Greek adults, conducted on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, 2008. No margin of error was provided.