Court blames Greece for blocking Macedonia’s NATO bid

EurActiv reported that the International Court of Justice ruled on the 5 December 2011 that by blocking Macedonia's NATO bid in April 2008, Greece had breached a bilateral agreement signed between the two countries in 1995.

Although Macedonia is recognised as the constitutional name by all EU countries except Greece, the name dispute has led to an impasse in the country's membership of both the EU and NATO.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 5.12.11: UN court: Greece broke the law in Macedonia name dispute http://euobserver.com/15/114506

ESO: Background information: Nato Map is of little use to Macedonia http://www.europeansources.info/record/nato-map-is-of-little-use-to-macedonia/

ESO: Background information: Madrid says breakthrough imminent on Macedonia http://www.europeansources.info/record/madrid-says-breakthrough-imminent-on-macedonia/

ICJ: Press Release, 5.12.11: The Court finds that Greece, by objecting to the admission of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to NATO, has breached its obligation under Article 11, paragraph 1, of the Interim Accord of 13 September 1995 http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/142/16841.pdf

MIC, 5.12.11: Greece violated Interim Accord, says Hague Court http://micnews.com.mk/node/28776

NATO: Press Release, 5.12.11: Statement by the NATO Secretary General on ICJ ruling http://www.nato.int/cps/en/SID-1A060704-FD4BA38B/natolive/news_81678.htm

NATO: Topics: NATO’s relations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_48830.htm

Kathimerini, 5.12.11: World Court rules against Greece over FYROM veto http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_28287_05/12/2011_417464

---