UN says progress possible on Greece-Macedonia name dispute
The United Nations said Monday that progress can be made to resolve a 25-year-old dispute between Greece and Macedonia over the latter nation’s name “with the right spirit of compromise by the leadership and by the peoples of the two countries.”
U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters ahead of a visit to the two countries by U.N. mediator Matthew Nimetz that the United Nations backs Nimetz’ assessment that in meeting with both sides “there has been some positive momentum generated.”
Nimetz, who is expected to arrive in Athens on Tuesday, presented new proposals on the name dispute to both countries in mid-January and said he should know within two months whether progress can be made.
Greeks maintain their northern neighbour’s name implies a territorial claim to Greece’s adjoining province of Macedonia — home of Alexander the Great, one of the most famous ancient Greek rulers.