More talks on former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name issue – UN

The United Nations envoy tasked with mediating the long-running dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the name of the latter country is to hold separate meetings tomorrow in New York with representatives of both sides.

Matthew Nimetz announced today that he would meet tomorrow morning with a delegation from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, including Martin Protoger, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, and Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov, the country’s principal negotiator for the name issue.

In the afternoon, Mr. Nimetz will meet Greece’s main negotiator, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis.

In June, Mr. Nimetz met with officials from the two sides, part of frequent meetings he has held in recent months to try to reach a deal. He reported in March that there had been no progress on the issue, despite an acknowledgement by both sides that a solution was in their best interests.

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