former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and what was then the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, sat down for an interview with UN News.
UN News/Alban Mendes de Leon

‘I don’t like to give up': veteran UN envoy reveals how two decades of quiet diplomacy gave birth to North Macedonia

28 February 2019
Peace and Security

Last June, a historic agreement settled a 27-year-long name dispute between two countries, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece. One man, Matthew Nimetz,  patiently led the negotiations on behalf of the United Nations for over two decades and he told UN News, in an exclusive interview, that his faith in a positive outcome never faltered.

On 26 August 2015, a distressed child rests over the shoulder of the man carrying him, in the town of Gevgelija, on the border with Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
UNICEF/Tomislav Georgiev

UN chief 'commends' leadership of Greece and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as name dispute draws to final close

25 January 2019
UN Affairs

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres congratulated the Greek Parliament over its ratification of a name change for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Friday, and commended the leaders of both countries for signalling the end to a naming dispute that has roiled the region for some 28 years.

Matthew Nimetz, Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for the naming dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), at a press conference. (file)
UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

UN welcomes progress in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia naming dispute

13 January 2019
Peace and Security

The Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the naming dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Matthew Nimetz, has welcomed the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia parliament’s decision to ratify an agreement on a new name for the latter country, following a dispute that has lasted some 28 years.

Secretary-General António Guterres briefs press at UN Headquarters on 12 July 2018.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

UN chief urges all sides in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to proceed with name change ‘through country’s institutions’

1 October 2018
Peace and Security

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged all political forces in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to implement plans to undergo a formal name change, following a consultative referendum on Sunday, through the country’s institutions.

Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief welcomes resolution to 27-year-old disagreement over renaming the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

12 June 2018
Peace and Security

The United Nations has welcomed Tuesday’s announcement by the leaders of Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that 27 years after the dispute began, they have reached a mutual agreement over a new name for the Republic.

Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonovic.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Senior UN official voices deep concern about human rights challenges in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

23 May 2015
Concern about the shrinking of the democratic space in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ivan Šimonović, has stressed the importance of broadening the dialogue that has begun between the Government and the opposition.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefs the press.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Ban ‘alarmed’ by outbreak of violence in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

11 May 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed alarm over the recent outbreak of violence in the city of Kumanovo in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and has extended his condolences to the families of those killed and injured.
Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert: former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia must not silence critical media

21 June 2013
An independent United Nations expert today urged the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to allow space for critical media saying the closure of a television station and some newspapers in 2011 sends worrying signals about free expression in the country.
Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

More talks on name of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia expected soon, UN envoy says

9 April 2013
The next round of talks between Greece and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the dispute over the latter’s name is expected within two months, a United Nations envoy today said after a meeting with representatives of both sides to lay out a new proposal.
Matthew Nimetz, Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for the talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia briefs reporters.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN envoy convenes talks on former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name issue

30 January 2013
The United Nations envoy tasked with mediating talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the dispute over the latter’s name held talks today in New York with representatives from both sides.