Bilateral Relations: Greece and Macedonia no closer to agreement on name issue

A substantial gap remains between the positions of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the official name of the latter country, despite their willingness to continue the process of negotiations, the United Nations envoy on the issue reports after the latest round of talks.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, met with representatives of both sides in New York on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, while meeting the representatives separately, Mr. Nimetz received detailed feedback from them on his latest proposal concerning a resolution of the “name issue” and related matters.

Then on Saturday, he met with the two sides together, where both Athens and Skopje indicated they wanted to continue the process of UN-led negotiations and make progress, and also wanted to consult with their respective governments on the next steps to take.

But Mr. Nimetz reported that no new proposals were made by the two countries and “a substantial gap remains between the two sides’ positions,” UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters today.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the UN, details the difference between the two countries regarding the official name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It also obliges the two sides to continue negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to try to reach agreement.