UN mediator in the name dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),Matthew Nimetz, said that the name dispute could be solved by the end of the year if Greece and FYROM were both prepared to be “flexible”.
The statements were made on government television in FYROM on Saturday.
“If both sides make serious efforts regarding this issue, then there can be a solution by the end of the year,” Nimetz said, while describing the name issue as “complex”.
“I will ask the negotiators of both countries to make serious efforts and work painstakingly. In Skopje, I will listen carefully to the positions of the country’s leadership, so that we can make progress in the negotiating process,” Nimetz said.
The UN mediator will be in Skopje on Monday and Tuesday, after which he will travel to Athens, in order to talk to the leadership of both countries.