The United Nations mediator in talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will head to the region later this week for another round of consultations on the long-running dispute over the name of the latter country.

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.

The positions of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the official name of the latter country remain wide apart, despite intense efforts to broker a solution in recent months and the acknowledgement of both sides that a settlement would be in their best interests, the United Nations envoy on the issue told reporters today.

The leadership of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is committed to solving its dispute with Greece over the “name issue,” the United Nations envoy dealing with the subject said today after holding another round of talks in Skopje.