Krasimir Karakachanov, leader of VMRO comments on the situation in Macedonia after the pro - term parliamentary elections, accompanied by violence, gunfire, a killed man and protests.

What is happening in Macedonia - yesterday and today?

K.K. The elections ended except for those sections in Albanian areas of shooting, there were killed and wounded. But the results will not change radically and even if there are any it will mean only one, two more members of the Albanian parties. The results are clear - VMRO-DPMNE Nikola Gruevski, as it was expected won the majority in the Macedonian Parliament. It does not mean that can form own government. According to all international treaties Albanian minority should be included in the government. In fact, this was the reason for the gunfire between the two Albanian parties, which will be stronger, to climb to power. The truth is that these elections have not decided anything in Macedonia. The country is in such a situation that the difference between before and after is several more deputies in favor of Gruevski.

Where are the problems?

K.K. Firstly, these are the disputes with Albanians and federalization of the state. In practice it is federal, although it is not considered such. In all international agreements, in its constitution and national legislation, the Albanian regions are 80% independent. Albanians comprise 30% of the total population and live in an arc - shaped area, starting from western part of Macedonia and reach the North, near Kumanovo. No matter which Albanian Party will enter into power, the other will be dissatisfied and periodically will undertake radical measures.

These elections were the reason that Macedonia was not invited as a member of NATO because Gruevski decided to make a merely political move to extend his mandate. With these elections and the disputes with Greece about the name of the country, he won his second mandate - in practice, he will be in power for 6 more years.

Macedonia isolated itself which deprived it of any chance for serious investments; unemployment is over 40%, incomes of people fell, and prices jumped, like in Bulgaria, because of the juncture in fuel prices.

Is a compromise with Greece possible?

K.K. We speak of nonsense on behalf of Macedonians. The case began even 15-16 years ago. Greece probably would have gulped down the name Macedonia and would not even notice this problem if Macedonia had not in its first constitution since 1992 adopted the Star of Virginia as its national symbol. It is a part of the Greek history and is associated with Alexander the Great. This gave the Greeks a sign that the Macedonians would try to steal not only from Bulgarian history, but also from Greek.

Greece had this symbol replaced from the Macedonian flag with diplomatic moves. Subsequently, this gave grounds for constant arguments between the two countries. Macedonia, for example, named it airport Alexander the Great? It became a reason for further concern that the country would have claims to part of the territory of Greece.

The problem with the name is only a matter of scandal. The real reason is more profound. After the establishment of the Republic of Macedonia in 1992 as an independent country, its officials began to seek their own identity. And if by then in the former Yugoslavia it had been easy for Skopje to do what Belgrade had said, now the situation is different. Many people in Macedonia started to say they were Bulgarians. This jeopardizes the status quo of the current government related to the political elite of Serbia. Searching for their identity, they decided not to stop to king Samuil and Kliment Ohridski where they started, but returned in ancient history and began to claim to Alexander the Great. Macedonia wants to live in the 21 century with the categories of the time of Comintern and Yugoslavia of Tito. It is something impossible. Until this split mind in Macedonia ends, there is nothing good ahead for this country. You cannot be both Slav and Ancient Macedonian at the same time.

Why Bulgaria did not respond to the dispute on the name of Macedonia?

K.K. Because Bulgaria has no tangible policy towards Macedonia. Our politicians are engaged in deals, privatizations, and now in the European Union. They are not interested in national and state policy. And Bulgaria must be the most serious regional factor in the Balkans for a number of reasons. These are geographical position, economic and national potential, transport communications, etc. We are greater in territory than Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Macedonia ... That's why we must have an idea what are our objectives pursued in the Balkans. But our politicians are used to do what they are told to from outside - from Moscow till 1989, later from Washington, and now from Brussels.

What is the right path for Macedonia?

K.K. It must become a normal European nation and stop maintaining myths and legends and creating tension on the Balkans. You can not tolerate a lie, imposed by violence, like the existence of a separate Macedonian nation, and want all others to comply with this fictional event. So Bulgaria and Greece in the current situation can play that educational and democratizing role that will be good both for the region and for Europe.

Can Macedonia skip NATO and continue straight to the EU?

K.K. It cannot happen because to the EU and NATO belong partners, not adversaries. Policy of Macedonia toward Bulgaria and Greece is hostile, despite the beautiful words and declarations. The question is when we will stop being soft and kind.

Is it probably that the Kosovo precedent repeat on the Balkans?

K.K. If we are historically objective Kosovo is not Serb territory. First, in Kosovo had never lived Serbs until 13th century. Local people of Kosovo are Iliri, that is Albanians. Later in 7-8 century Bulgarians come. Namely the Bulgarian Khan Krum conquered Kosovo and made it a part of Bulgaria. Bulgarian king Boris christianized it. All the old churches and monasteries from 10-11 century are Bulgarian. Serbs appear in Kosovo in the 13 century and rules it no more than a hundred years. After that the turn of Ottoman Turks came. In 1913 Serbia receives Kosovo after the Balkan war. During 50s and 60s Serbia was leading policy to settle Serbians on non serbian areas. For example, Vojvodina, inhabited mainly by Hungarians, were almost forcedly populated with Serbs. Yes, but as you move Kosovo Serbs in Vojvodina, you break the ethnic balance in Kosovo. So the guilt is only of Belgrade.

The logical outcome is independent Kosovo. Anf the dream of Great Albania will not happen because in the foundation of all international agreements related to the recognition of Kosovo's independence is recorded: "Kosovo cannot acquire territories or parts of other staes. It cannot become a part of another country". Nowadays, it is more important that normal processes of building the state take place because the region has been in situation of war for the past 20 years.