UN mediator for the naming dispute between Greece and FYROM has indicated that the term Macedonia will be included in the discussions kicking-off on Wednesday in New York.
In an interview with Thanasis Tsitsas of Greece’s Antenna TV, Matthew Nimetz said Greece should be realistic in understanding that the name ‘Macedonia’ will be included in any solution, but the final composite name will satisfy Greek requirements.
He noted that “the name of the country at the United Nations is ‘Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’, so the word ‘Macedonia’ is part of the name and Greece has recognized the country with that name.”
“More than 100 countries have recognized the country as ‘Republic of Macedonia’, so the word ‘Macedonia’ is used by most countries… It is tied to the country,” he said.
The American diplomat stressed that “if we wait for another 25 years, the problem will become worse”.
He acknowledged that some of the ideas discussed between himself, Athens and Skopje have been on the table for many years. “There is no magic solution,” he noted.
Nimetz is to meet in New York with Greek negotiator Adamantios Vasilakis and his opposite number Vasko Naumovski.
Greece and FYROM have been locked in a dispute over the former Yugoslav republic’s name since 1993.
Northern Greece contains a historic region also known as Macedonia and many Greek’s view their northern neighbor’s insistence on the name as aggressive and ahistorical.
The stand-off has seen FYROM blocked from EU and NATO membership, although it is recognized by 160 countries.
Recent contacts between Athens and Skopje have seen some tentative steps towards an agreement, but feelings remain high in Greece on this sensitive topic.
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