By 15 to 1 ICJ ruled Greece has breached UN-backed accord with Macedonia (officially known as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). Most interestingly this relates to a NATO issue - when Greece sought to impede FYRM’s effort to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Interim Accord was reached as part of UN-led international efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute between Greece and Macedonia in September 1995 regarding the appropriate name for FYRM, (it was independent of but part of broader drive to what came to be the Dayton Accords). Greece strongly objects to FYRM employing name Macedonia as somehow impeding and/or impairing a claim on Greece’s northern region which goes by the same name. The Interim Accord sets in motion ongoing discussions/negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to reach a settlement on the name issue. The ICJ decision notes that Greece had agreed not to object to any applications to join international organizations or institutions by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, unless the country uses a different name. While FYRM had apparently crossed the line regarding a symbol, according to the ICJ judgment the breach had been rather promptly remedied and did not constitute a pretext for Greece to then impede FYRM’s application to NATO. Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the talks between Greece and FYRM offered that the ruling may offer an opportunity to catalyze a solution to the long stalled talks: “I have been in communication with both governments in recent days and have urged them to view this event as an opportunity to think constructively about their mutual relationship and to consider a renewed initiative to reach a definitive solution to the ‘name’ issue. At this juncture, a forward-looking attitude that emphasizes solutions rather than differences would help make a lasting solution possible. I have informed the parties that I stand ready to work with them at the earliest opportunity and recommend intensifying the efforts to find a permanent solution.” This dragged out dispute and acrimony has caused both Greece and Macedonia (FYRM) practical harm in relations and proven a distraction. Among UN diplomats, the dispute is perceived as trivial and trivializing political leaderships in both countries. Rather then resolution though, the dispute has evolved into a punch-line for diplomatically incorrect jokes! Other Articles on ICJ Decisions/Processes: “Nigeria-Cameroon to Settle Border Dispute (at ICJ)” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/nigeria-cameroon-to-settle-border-dispute-by-ambassador-mo/42019 (FYRM & Greek flags with bottom photo of disputed flag/symbol of Macedonia (FYRMO that Greece objects to.) By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX “Bosnia” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/bosnia