UN envoy offers "modified" Macedonia plan

Mathew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the Greece-Macedonia "name" row has handed a set of "modified ideas" to both sides.

Izvor: BIRN

Friday, 12.09.2008.

16:14

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Mathew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the Greece-Macedonia "name" row has handed a set of "modified ideas" to both sides. Nimetz’s ideas were based on previous suggestions that both countries made during his last visit to the region. UN envoy offers "modified" Macedonia plan Nimetz urged both sides to “carefully look” at the ideas before replying. Macedonia’s “name, its scope of use and the identity” will be discussed as one package, Nimetz said in a written statement after the fresh round of talks. Media in both countries have speculated in previous weeks that a set of several variations of Macedonia name’s featuring a geographical description were put forward for discussion. Prior to the meeting, Skopje said its top priority in the ongoing talks is the preservation of Macedonia’s national identity and dignity. Skopje wants guarantees that the Macedonian identity will not be disputed in case of a possible change in the name of the country. Another problem is the scope of the use of the name. While Macedonia’s Premier Nikola Gruevski argued that the mutually agreed name should only be used in relations with Athens, Greece insists on its full international use. In April, Athens blocked Skopje’s bid to join NATO arguing the country must change its name first. Greece argues that Skopje’s use of the name Macedonia implies its territorial claims on Greece’s northern province of the same name. Local media speculate that in case of positive signals from both sides on Nimetz’s latest suggestions the Foreign Ministers of both countries could meet in the course of the next several weeks. Greece threatens to block Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union unless a solution to the 17-year long row is found.

UN envoy offers "modified" Macedonia plan

Nimetz urged both sides to “carefully look” at the ideas before replying.

Macedonia’s “name, its scope of use and the identity” will be discussed as one package, Nimetz said in a written statement after the fresh round of talks.

Media in both countries have speculated in previous weeks that a set of several variations of Macedonia name’s featuring a geographical description were put forward for discussion.

Prior to the meeting, Skopje said its top priority in the ongoing talks is the preservation of Macedonia’s national identity and dignity. Skopje wants guarantees that the Macedonian identity will not be disputed in case of a possible change in the name of the country.

Another problem is the scope of the use of the name. While Macedonia’s Premier Nikola Gruevski argued that the mutually agreed name should only be used in relations with Athens, Greece insists on its full international use.

In April, Athens blocked Skopje’s bid to join NATO arguing the country must change its name first.

Greece argues that Skopje’s use of the name Macedonia implies its territorial claims on Greece’s northern province of the same name.

Local media speculate that in case of positive signals from both sides on Nimetz’s latest suggestions the Foreign Ministers of both countries could meet in the course of the next several weeks.

Greece threatens to block Macedonia’s bid to join the European Union unless a solution to the 17-year long row is found.

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