SKOPJE, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov declared on Tuesday that he will not sign the Decree on the Law on Ratification of the Final Agreement on overcoming the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece, which the Macedonian parliament approved on June 20.
In his letter to the Parliament, Ivanov explained the reasons for not approving the agreement with Greece, saying that as president he has always been responsible and respected the Constitution of the country.
"Therefore, pursuant to Article 75 of the Constitution, I had the decision not to sign the decree for the promulgation of the Law on Ratification of the Final Settlement Agreement to resolve the differences described in Council Resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993) United Nations (UN) Security Council, to terminate the 1995 Interim Agreement and to establish a strategic partnership between the parties," said Ivanov.
In his letter, Ivanov said that he does not have the mandate to sign the decree because in the 2014 election program has said it will not accept the change of the constitution.
Moreover, according to Ivanov, the agreement goes beyond the scope of UN Security Council Resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), because there is a difference in the name of the state, "and not differences" as it is spoken in this agreement.
In addition, Ivanov considers that the agreement has not been ratified in accordance with the constitution, respectively articles 51, 118 and 119. Article 119 states that the international agreements are signed by the president, and the government can sign it if it is defined by law.
Another reason according to Ivanov is that the agreement places Macedonia in positions of submission and dependence on another country.
On June 20, Macedonia's parliament, with 69 votes in favor, ratified the agreement with Greece.
According to the Macedonian Constitution, the president is obliged to sign the decree. He can delay but can not stop the deal from moving forward as his powers are limited.
