Now as before, Greece stiffly refuses to approve joint European recognition of an entity called Macedonia.

The northern region of Greece is also called Macedonia.

It is a fact of history that Greece already has a province within its territorial limits, populated by ethnic Greeks, that is called Macedonia.

They also note that the territory was not called Macedonia as a political entity until 1944.

Athens contends that the use of the name alone implies territorial pretensions to a part of northern Greece that is also called Macedonia.

Greece has opposed official recognition of its name ever since, arguing that it implies territorial ambitions on a northern Greek province, also called Macedonia.

The ancient Romans had two different entities called Macedonia, at different levels.

It will make no difference whether we do so today or leave it for a week; Macedonia will still be called Macedonia.

The country is called Macedonia, whether that suits some people or not, and we must finally start to smooth this country's way towards Europe.

Greece wants to force the country to change its name, which Athens sees as implying a territorial claim on the northern Greek province also called Macedonia.