Mr. Speaker, the interim agreement just signed at the United Nations between Greece and FYROM, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, meets two key international issues raised by the Greek government: removal from FYROM's flag of Alexander the Great's star and removal from FYROM's constitution of apparent irredentist claims on Greek territory.
FYROM's name, a principal barrier to normalization of relations and co-operation between the two states, is agreed as a subject for further negotiation.
Canada's policy of non-recognition of FYROM until these issues should be resolved has contributed positively to the diplomatic negotiations now under way and should be maintained until a full, binding legal agreement is achieved, probably at the end of October.