Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said he was striving for an honorable compromise with FYROM after Friday’s meeting with his counterpart Nikola Dimitrov in Skopje.
Kotzias on Thursday became the first high-ranking Greek state official to fly directly to Skopje in 12 years.
It is thought the minister’s presence marks another step towards a possible ending of the long-running naming dispute between Athens and Skopje over the term ‘Macedonia’.
During a news conference, Kotzias stressed that “doing nothing” on the naming dispute “is not an option.” Politicians have to find solutions, he added.
“Greece seeks an honorable compromise, because no one can get everything one desires,” Kotzias said.
The Greek minister is later due to meet FYROM’s premier, Zoran Zaev, parliamentary leaders and the leader of the opposition.
A group of demonstrators gathered outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje in protest against a compromise solution with Greece.
They were holding placards calling for Kotzias to “go home” and demanding an end to the “holocaust against Μacedonians”.
Just days before Kotzias’ historic visit, Athens sent text of an agreement to the Skopje government.
It consisted of proposals for a new name; Greek media report that the proposals on the table are the following:
- Republika Nova Makedonija (Republic of New Macedonia)
- Republika Severna Makedonija (Republic of Northern Macedonia)
- Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia)
- Republika Vardarska Makedonija (Republic of Macedonia of Vardar)
- Republika Makedonija (Skopje) [Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)]
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
