Resolving its naming dispute is high on the agenda of FYROM’s government and therefore there is a “new impetus” in the effort for resolving the issue, Matthew Nimetz, the United Nations Special Representative for the naming dispute between Greece and FYROM, told IBNA news agency today.
“The government in Skopje is eager to reactivate its foreign policy in the region and obviously the name issue is an important impediment to the path to European integration, to NATO membership,” stated Matthew Nimetz.
When asked if he sees the beginning of a new impetus on the name dispute, Nimetz said: “We have a new government in Skopje following several years of parliamentary deadlock there and the government in Skopje is eager to reactivate its foreign policy in the region and obviously the name issue is an important impediment to the path to European integration, to NATO membership. So this is a high issue on their agenda and I think therefore there is a new impetus.”
When asked what he sees as the next steps he stated: “I’ve been to Skopje, I’ve now talked to Foreign Minister Kotzias and I will be in touch with the parties in the next months and we will develop a new game plan for moving forward.”
When asked if there are any proposals about the name he stated: “No, I’ve made no proposals. There have been proposals in the past and I think right now it’s a time for talking about some basic concepts before we get down to proposals.”
Source: ANA-MPA
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