From Columbia University to Melbourne to Macedonia, the indignation of the Greeks over the agreement with Skopje has been unprecedented in our recent history. It has taken on dimensions that point to other, not pleasant, eras.

And yet, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras …continues to whistle past the graveyard, indifferent to ghosts past, present and future.

Recently, with ten ministers and dozens of businessmen in tow, he went to Skopje, where he warmly hugged his Skopje counterpart and declared with Marie Antoinette-like cheer, “now my airplane will not need to change course to avoid the airspace of our neighbor. We no longer have such concerns. We can land here when we want to say hello.”

As for the 10 Ministers, he did well to take them. The less time they spend in Greece the better.

But what was the purpose of taking the businessmen with him?

Maybe to move to Skopje the few jobs left in Macedonia?

Is Greece so overflowing with investments that there is a risk of … overheating the economy?

Mr. Tsipras is so out of touch with the people that he is not merely indifferent to the negative consequences of his actions – he cheerfully provokes them.

All that seems to be of interest to him are the praises of the outside world and the assurance of their support for the fast-approaching elections.

In the name of truth, I cite the following extract from an Associated Press article: “Western governments enthusiastically backed the deal, wary of rival influence in the Balkans by Russia, which views NATO’s expansion as a threat.”

And while Greece, as a member of NATO, must also take into account the interests of the alliance, shouldn’t Greek interests prevail in the mind of a prime minister?

We all want solutions to the chronic challenges and problems facing Greece – from Turkey to Skopje.

But our pleasant disposition and good will is not enough.

The solutions must reflect the long-term interests of the country.

Otherwise, instead of solving a problem, we create a lot more, and we open up wounds in the body politic that may plague the country for years.