S/1995/794

14 September 1995

I am writing to inform you and your colleagues in the Council about the latest developments regarding the difference between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

My Special Envoy, Mr. Cyrus Vance, has continued his efforts pursuant to Security Council resolution 845 (1993). I am pleased to inform you that the Foreign Ministers of the two parties signed a wide-ranging interim accord today at United Nations Headquarters in New York, in the presence of myself and Mr. Vance.

Attached are copies of the interim accord, of three sets of letters concerning the interim accord and various provisions thereof as well as of a statement of the Special Envoy authorized by the two parties.

I shall of course inform the members of the Council of any further developments regarding the difference between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

(Signed) Boutros BOUTROS-GHALI

Full Text of Interim Accord

I enclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed to me today by Minister Papoulias concerning the implementation of article 1, paragraph 1, of the interim accord of today's date.

(Signed) Cyrus R. VANCE
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations

In implementation of article 1, paragraph 1, of the interim accord of today's date, the Government of Greece recognizes the party of the second part within its internationally recognized borders, with the provisional name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, pending settlement of the difference that has arisen over the name of the State.

(Signed) Karolos PAPOULIAS
Minister for Foreign Affairs

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, under cover of which you transmitted to me a copy of a letter addressed to you today by Minister Papoulias concerning the implementation of article 1, paragraph 1, of the interim accord of today's date.

(Signed) Stevo CRVENKOVSKI
Minister for Foreign Affairs

With regard to article 7, paragraph 2, of the interim accord of today's date, the Government of Greece would like to confirm that the symbol referred to in the above-mentioned article of the said accord is the Sun or Star of Vergina, in all its historical forms.

(Signed) Karolos PAPOULIAS
Minister for Foreign Affairs

I hereby acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date concerning article 7, paragraph 2, of the interim accord of today's date. I have made the other party aware of the content of your letter.

(Signed) Cyrus R. VANCE
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations

This is to inform you that, in connection with the interim accord of today's date, my Government wishes to make clear that no instrument that has not been signed on its behalf can be considered as binding on it.

(Signed) Stevo CRVENKOVSKI
Minister for Foreign Affairs

I hereby acknowledge the receipt of your letter of today's date concerning the legal effect of the instruments exchanged in connection with the interim accord of today's date. I have made the other party aware of the content of your letter.

(Signed) Cyrus R. VANCE
Special Envoy of the Secretary-General
of the United Nations

I am very pleased to welcome the signing of the interim accord between the two neighbouring States. The accord establishes a new relationship between them that will be based on concepts of international law and peaceful, friendly relations.

The Hellenic Republic has authorized me to make the following statement on its behalf in so far as this statement refers to actions to be taken by it, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has authorized me to make the following statement on its behalf in so far as this statement refers to actions to be taken by it.

The accord provides that each party will respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the other and confirms their common existing frontier as an enduring and inviolable international border.

The accord further provides for recognition by the Hellenic Republic of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as an independent and sovereign State, and that the two countries will establish liaison offices in each other's capital.

The accord also provides that the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will cease to use in any manner the symbol that is now on its national flag. It also provides specific and binding assurances that the Constitution of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is consistent with the principles of international law and good-neighbourly relations mentioned earlier.

The accord provides for unimpeded movement of people and goods between the two countries. In this connection I can confirm that the accord, by its terms, provides for terminating the measures that had been imposed by the Hellenic Republic on 16 February 1994, and provides for replacing these measures by an open and cooperative economic relationship.

The necessary steps required to implement the accord fully will commence upon signature and will take place over the next few weeks, with the effective date of its operative provisions 30 days from today.

The accord provides that the parties will continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations with respect to the outstanding difference between them referred to in relevant Security Council resolutions.

Finally, the accord contains other important provisions relating to areas of cooperation between the parties, a commitment to settle disputes exclusively by peaceful means, and the timing and terms of implementation.

As the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, under whose auspices this lengthy mediation effort has been conducted, I congratulate the parties on the important step they have taken to achieve a new relationship, which will promote peace and security between them and in their entire region.