Greek Prime Minister Yorgos Papandreou decision to suspend the Ministry of "Macedonia and Thrace" with seat in Solun caused harsh reactions and discontent in Greece, Elefterotipia newspaper writes.

The present Minister for Macedonia and Thrace said that he believes that Papandreou decision to erase the name Macedonia from the Ministry Council might  bring to question PASOK position regarding the name issue.

The ministry itself and the name 'Macedonia' had been created by the Karamanlis administration as a leverage in Athens' dispute with the Republic of Macedonia.

The new government has 36 members, 14 Ministers and 22 Deputies, whereas the former government had 44 members. Prior to the Greek elections Papandreou promised the return of all expelled Aegean Macedonians, return of their properties and restoring of their Greek citizenship.

The Aegean Macedonians are currently in the process of suing Greece for confiscated properties between 1946-50. The sum frequently mentioned in media is 12 Billion Euros plus 60 years of rent/usage owed.

	1. 26-10-2009 06:09
	This is no step. He did that for organization reasons and to cut expences ... dont forget Papandreou did the same with the ministry of Aegean sea .. Guest

Konstantinos

	2. 25-10-2009 10:47
	No Change The dismantling of the redundant and pointless “Ministry” of Macedonia-Thrace changes nothing. The present Greek government has repeatedly said it supports the red lines set by the previous administration. If no agreement is found on the name dispute by December, the Republic’s start of talks with the EU will be rejected and not by Greece alone. Gruevski’s strategy seems to be to take the issue to the very end. Knowing Greece’s red lines, if, eventually, the Republic accepts them, the only thing it will have lost is time which may, or may not, have been of any significance. Guest

Tom

	3. 24-10-2009 15:47
	No Change The suspension of the ministries is a first step towards the recognision of the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name and to recognise the Macedonian minority in Greece.This will improve the relations between the two countries.It will benefit both as well as the NATO and EU. Guest

Danielle

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