Name row of Macedonia, Greece shows sign of being solved in 2018: UN mediator

SKOPJE, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- The climate for resolving the name issue between Macedonia and Greece has definitely improved, a sign that the name row can be resolved next year, the Macedonian Information Agency (MIA) cited United Nations (UN) mediator Matthew Nimetz as saying Tuesday in Brussels.

However, Nimetz stated that he did not put forward a new proposal at Tuesday's talks which was held following a three-year break.

"The solution will be found with political will and good diplomacy," Nimetz said at a press conference after the talks he had with Macedonian and Greek negotiators, Vasko Naumovski and Adamantios Vassilakis.

Macedonia is the name of a northern province in Greece and Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.

According to Nimetz, only good cooperation and political will can lead to a solution, adding that after so many years, no new magical name could appear from nowhere and solve the issue.

Nimetz further said the talks between two countries' representatives would be intensified in January, February and March.

He admitted there were difficult issues for both sides, but voiced confidence they would be resolved in the next months, considering Tuesday's meeting was held in a positive atmosphere.

MIA also cited Nimetz as saying that the countries' respective governments should put resolving the name issue high on their agendas and continue to work on improving mutual relations.

Meanwhile, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told reporters here Tuesday that he hoped the mutual wish of both sides to reach a solution would be confirmed under Nimetz's mediation.

Asked by local media whether there was a new name on the table, Zaev said they had not yet reached that stage. Enditem