In response to Gruevski 's claims , Konstantinos Koutras , spokesman for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs , told CNN that a number of Samaras ' predecessors had met with the Macedonian Prime Minister , but that they were simply `` photo opportunities and a faÃ§ade . '' The dispute over Greece 's state name with Greece began when the country gained independence in 2008 . In 2008 European Commission ruled that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia 's bid to NATO in 2011 . Macedonia already `` sufficiently '' meets the political criteria to open negotiations , according to European Commission .
The dispute over Greece 's state name with Greece began when the country gained independence in 2008 . In 2008 European Commission ruled that Greece was wrong to block Macedonia 's bid to NATO in 2011 . Macedonia already `` sufficiently '' meets the political criteria to open negotiations , according to European Commission .