United Nations, Jan 17 (AFP) A UN envoy declared today hewas "very hopeful" that a solution was within reach to end a27-year dispute between Greece and Macedonia over the formerYugoslav republic's name.
During talks at the United Nations, UN envoy MatthewNimetz presented a proposal for a compromise to envoys thatwill now be discussed in Athens and Skopje.
Nimetz said he will travel to Greece and Macedonia soonto discuss the proposed solution, which was not made public.
"I am very hopeful that this process is moving in apositive direction," Nimetz told reporters following the two-hour meeting at UN headquarters.
Greece's objections to the use of the name Macedoniasince the Balkan country's independence in 1991 has hamperedSkopje's bid to join the European Union and NATO.
Macedonia is known as the Former Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia (FYROM) at the United Nations, but the SecurityCouncil acknowledged that this was a provisional name when itagreed to membership.
"I view this as a good set of ideas, a compromise, and apackage that both sides should feel comfortable with and leadto a dignified and satisfactory solution," said Nimetz.
Some of the solutions floated include using the name NewMacedonia or Northern Macedonia, but Greek nationalists arguethat there should be no reference to Macedonia at all.
Greece maintains that the use of Macedonia suggests thatSkopje has territorial claims to its own Macedonia -- anorthern region that boasts the port cities of Thessalonikiand Kavala and was the center of Alexander the Great's ancientkingdom, a source of Greek pride. (AFP)PMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.