Mr. Speaker, over three weeks ago Reform urged the government to reverse its current policy on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and grant immediate diplomatic recognition to this country.
Unfortunately the minister has not taken Reform's advice. I have been given a recent letter, dated April 4, 1996, sent by the minister on this topic in which he makes it clear that the government is not prepared to grant diplomatic recognition.
The reason given for this is "concerns regarding bilateral disputes between FYROM and the Republic of Greece". This is a poor excuse, considering that Greece willingly recognized this country on September 13, 1995 and signed an accord to this effect over nine months ago. I have a copy of the accord if the minister would like to read it.
The UN has also recognized the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia, so why cannot the Canadian government get its act together, learn the facts and grant diplomatic recognition today?