UN-led talks between Greece, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia set for this week

The envoy spearheading United Nations attempts to resolve the dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the latter’s name is this week renewing efforts to broker a solution between the two European neighbours.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, will be meeting with representatives of the two countries in New York, a UN spokesperson told journalists today.

A formal meeting – which will involve Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis of Greece and Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – is scheduled to be held at UN Headquarters on Thursday.

Mr. Nimetz has frequently held talks with both Athens and Skopje in recent months to try to reach a deal, but he told journalists in March that there has been no progress on the issue, despite an acknowledgement by both sides that a solution was in their best interests.

He had proposed several compromise names but the two countries remained far apart on what they considered a satisfactory name for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the UN, details the difference between Athens and Skopje on the issue. It also obliges the two sides to continue negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General in a bid to reach agreement.