UN called to mediate Greece-Macedonia name issue

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 today wrapped up two days of discussions in New York with representatives from both sides.

Since 1999, Matthew Nimetz has been holding talks with the two sides and proposed compromise names in his capacity as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for the talks.

UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters that the purpose of the meeting was to give the parties an opportunity to present – to Mr. Nimetz and to each other – the respective positions of their governments regarding the differences between them.

The meeting also sought to ascertain whether there are areas that should be explored further and “to determine the next steps in the process with the overall goal of reaching a speedy resolution to the name issue,” he added.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the UN, details the difference between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Greece on the name issue. It also obliges the two countries to continue negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to try to reach agreement.