Ban presses for end to issue over name of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a speedy, effective and mutually acceptable resolution of the long-running dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the latter country’s name, saying he was encouraged by recent steps taken by the two sides.

Mr. Ban met yesterday in New York with Antonio Milososki, the Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, with the talks focusing on the status of negotiations between Athens and Skopje on the name issue.

The Secretary-General said he had been encouraged by the direct dialogue established by the prime ministers of the two countries as well as the importance given to the efforts of Matthew Nimetz, his Personal Envoy on the issue.

“It was time to move towards decisions that will resolve the matter expeditiously and in a mutually acceptable manner,” Mr. Ban said, according to a note of the meeting released by his spokesperson.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the United Nations, details the differences between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece on the name issue. It also obliges the two countries to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General to try to reach agreement.