UN-Led Talks on Former Yugoslav Republic

UN-Led Talks on Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Name Issue Set to Start

The United Nations envoy facilitating talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the official name of the latter country will be meeting with the parties in New York tomorrow, it was announced today.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, will hold a joint meeting with the representative for Athens, Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis, and those for Skopje, Ambassador Nikola Dimitrov and Martin Protoger, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff. This will be followed by separate meetings with the parties.

“The purpose will be to continue discussions on the name issue,” UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters.

Mr. Nimetz met separately with the parties last month, first in New York and then later in their respective countries, as part of his continuing efforts to help settle the issue.

Although he has proposed several compromise names, Skopje and Athens remain far apart on what they consider to be a satisfactory name for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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

ENDS

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