Mega TV: In Greece, there is an impression in the public that Skopje institutions trespassed on Greek territory. What is your information?

Macedonian institutions took all the actions that had to be taken by Greek institutions in order to prevent an attempt for mass entry of migrants to our territory.
Therefore, I call upon the EU to help Greece empty the Idomeni Camp where all the latest illegal attempts to pass to our territory and along the corridor closed by a decision in Brussels originate from. As long as that decision exists, we will respect it and we shall not allow illegal entry on our territory.
It is not appropriate for an EU and NATO Member State and a country that participated in the making of the decision to close the corridor, to disrespect that decision and allow the jeopardizing of the territory of its neighboring state by allowing illegal passage of migrants.


Mega TV: Was there coordination by Skopje police with Greek institutions?
There was no coordination whatsoever, nor an information on what was happening in Idomeni camp. If we had had such information, this could have been prevented and activities could have been taken in order for such an incident not to occur. Similar goes for the other institutions that do not exchange the necessary information to implement the decision adopted at the European Council meeting in Brussels, concerning the closing of the Balkan Corridor.


Mega TV: Are you concerned with the fact that, due to the violent situation at the border, maybe because of an accident, there might be an undesirable turn of events?

We already had an accident on March 14, during an identical attempt for forced illegal migration on our territory. Let me remind you that there were three victims then, who drowned in the river because of heavy rains.
However, since the declaration of a state of crisis until today, we have also had hundreds of wounded members of the security forces, all of this due to incidents happening on Greek territory and spilling over to our territory.
We have also suffered damages to the means and equipment of our security forces, as well as damages to the property of the citizens and the state.


Mega TV: At what time did the Greek side submit the démarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Skopje? What was your instruction for response to the Greek government?

Instead of sending démarches, the Greek Ministry of foreign affairs should have sent a notification on what had been going on for days in the Idomeni camp, by so-called volunteers – persons who organized all of this and distributed leaflets in Arabic language, making preparations for this forcible entry on our territory. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified all of the countries along the Balkan route and all EU member states.
Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified all of the countries along the Balkan route and all EU member states about what happened during the incident, because everything is recorded and documented. Apart from this, members of the police of EU Member States helping our police officers informed their respective countries on all the details of this incident.


Mega TV: How would you describe the level of bilateral relations? Do you think that the refugee crisis provoked more problems, or might be a good opportunity for you to have a better negotiating position in terms of EU and NATO?

The refugee crisis was an opportunity to raise relations between Macedonia and Greece at a much higher level, because we are tackling a challenge that affects both states. However, the Greek side missed this opportunity.
There is still time, though. The so-called confidence building measures are to be built through specific activities and events, and not only mere bureaucratic measures and activities to be announced.
As regards our membership in NATO and the European Union, I can say that Macedonia met all the necessary requirements to become a NATO member back in 2008, when Greece blocked our entry, and we met all the necessary requirements to open negotiations with the EU back in 2009 when we received the first positive Progress Report containing a recommendation to open negotiations.
Therefore, as far as Macedonia and the obligations to be fulfilled by Macedonia are concerned, Macedonia has done everything. Now it is up to NATO and the European Union to fulfill the obligations they have towards Macedonia.