European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn expressed optimism that the Greek dispute over the name of Macedonia could be resolved within the next 15 days. “I am optimistic that in the next two weeks we will have a solution: at least a solution that will pave the way for the start of accession talks with […]
The UN mediator in Macedonia-Greece negotiations on settling the name dispute, Matthew Nimetz, will meet the Foreign Ministers of both countries, Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias respectively, on 25 April in Vienna. The meeting is part of United Nations’ ongoing efforts to assist the sides in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the ‘name’ issue, […]
A new round of negotiations will begin this week in Vienna between the foreign ministers Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias regarding the name, through the mediation of Mathew Nimetz form UN. However in Skopje, a declaration made by the prime minister for the news agency AFP over the weekend has caused arguments. “I believe that […]
“The name agreement should be complete and final, differentiating the neighboring country from Macedonia”, says New Democracy shadow foreign minister Giorgos Koumoutsakos. “The government is called to reach an agreement that is complete and final. One that differentiates, in a clear way, our northern neighbor from Macedonia. This is not feasible, Koumoutsakos told newspaper Real […]
A professor and a historian in Greece have released a book, an ‘easy read’ in a question-and-answer format to try and solve some of the most prominent dilemmas involving Macedonia and the name dispute to the Greeks. University professor Dimitris Hristopoulos and historian Kostis Karpozilos said they were inspired to write “10+1 Questions and Answers About […]
The government is focused on convincing everybody, including neighboring Greece, that it is good Macedonia to become an EU, NATO ally, not only for Greece but also for the entire region, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov told a press conference on Thursday. Asked if there is plan B if the name talks fail considering the Greek […]
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias says Macedonia will not join NATO at the coming summit because of time limitations. In an interview with radio 247, Kotzias says the country will not join NATO in June because the name agreement should be ratified in different ways, with April already in its second half. “They want to […]
It is possible Macedonia and Greece to find solution to the name dispute in near future. Both sides are determined to this process, at the highest level and it is necessary to strike a deal that will serve the interests of both sides, EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn told Wednesday’s press conference answering journalist question […]
The new compound name once we reach an agreement should be also the constitutional name of the neighboring country, a spokesman of the Greek government told a press briefing on Monday after being asked by a MIA correspondent on whether Greece would accept a name that would be used only internationally, but not within the […]
The latest statements by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev over the name dispute have again made waves between the ruling and opposition parties in Greece. “Following Zaev’s statements for the MIA news agency, in which he claims that Skopje is not negotiating a name for all uses, Greeks are asking themselves what is the Tsipras, Kammenos, Kotzias […]
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg drew attention to already existing NATO presence in Turkey and called on all allies to provide more support to the country. Stoltenberg spoke to Anadolu Agency at the NATO headquarters in Brussels ahead of his official visit to Turkey on April 16. The NATO chief said the aim of his […]
In case of settling the dispute over Macedonia’s name, Berlin will allow Athens to postpone an implementation of austerity measure – cutting of pensions – for six months, according to Greek newspaper Ta Nea. Citing credible European sources, the paper says that the measure, which should be set into force on 1 January 2019, would […]
It seems that Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, although indirectly, accepts Skopje claims about alleged Greece’s irredentist aspirations towards the neighboring country, opposition New Democracy shadow foreign minister Giorgos Koumoutsakos said. Koumoutsakos criticizes the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the statement of Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov at yesterday’s joint press conference with Kotzias, who […]
Greek Foreign minister, Nikos Kotzias, has held a meeting in Pristina today with his counterpart from Kosovo, Behgjet Pacolli. In contrast to the other visits held as part of the Balkan tour, the Greek diplomat did not deliver a joint press conference following the meeting with Pacolli. “We have a lot to talk and to […]
Progress has been made involving some of the issues that have already matured and there are still differences for others, Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov stated Thursday after his meeting in Ohrid with Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. Dimitrov said that the talks were ‘open and sincere’ and that for the first time a time […]
Macedonian and Greek Foreign Ministers Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias hold fresh round of talks Thursday in Ohrid in an attempt to reach a deal on the issue of name dispute. Dimitrov expects progress in the name talks at Thursday’s meeting with Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias. “The issue is important and all rounds of talks […]
Foreign minister, Nikola Dimitrov, said today that the process of negotiations about the name dispute is in a delicate phase, but he’s hoping that the spirit of Ohrid will help in overcoming differences about the contest which has lasted several years now. Dimitrov declared this following the meeting that he held with the head of […]
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos has voiced conviction over the political prerequisites and will for a solution to the name issue, adding that more steps are required for an agreement, MIA reports from Athens. “I believe there are political prerequisites and will for an agreement, but a long way is still ahead in the talks. […]
UN name envoy Matthew Nimetz has reportedly sent a letter to the foreign ministers of Macedonia and Greece, Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias respectively, in which he elaborates the current state of play in the name negotiations. Namely, the letter outlines the items over which there is agreement and those over which there are differences […]
Foreign ministers Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias will hold a new round of talks tomorrow in Ohrid in an attempt to reach a deal on the issue of the name dispute. This afternoon, Kotzias is expected to travel from Belgrade to Ohrid, while tomorrow there will be a bilateral meeting. The ministry of Foreign Affairs […]
