Greece, FYROM reaffirm determination to resolve name dispute

ATHENS, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias and his Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) counterpart Nikola Dimitrov reiterated on Friday the two countries' willingness to resolve the long-standing name dispute.

Ministers of foreign affairs, the interior, and transport from Greece, FYROM, Albania and Bulgaria held a two-day meeting at Thessaloniki city, northern Greece, seeking closer cooperation between the neighboring countries in many sectors.

One of the main goals of the 3rd ministerial meeting is for Albania and FYROM join the European Union (EU) and prepare for their cooperation within the EU, Kotzias said addressing the event, according Greek national news agency AMNA.

One of the key obstacles in FYROM's accession to the EU is the name row which started with Greece when FYROM declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and chose the name Macedonia, which is also the name of a northern Greek province.

Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.

In recent months, UN-mediated talks to resolve the issue have intensified.

"It would be a pity should we do not see the efforts we have made bear fruit," Kotzias said during a press briefing at the end of the meeting.

On May 12, UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz, the mediator in the name dispute, will be back in Athens to participate in talks with Kotzias and Dimitrov, the Greek minister added.

"There is willingness to resolve the issue," Dimitrov said on his part. Enditem