“Nezavisen” is not the source for “Upper Macedonia”


Certain media today called on “Nezavisen/Independent” daily newspaper, announcing information on name negotiations with Greece. We,  the newspaper and  the “Nezavisen” news site, disagree with the presented contents, not getting in the way whether they are correct or not, because we are not the source and are not published by us. What “Nezavisen” published is […]

Papadimoulis: Chance for solving name dispute should not be missed


“We shouldn’t miss the chance to solve this issue. The Zoran Zaev-led government has opened a window of opportunity. There are difficulties, which in fact have left the row unsolved for 25 years. It is in our national interest to find a solution to the name issue,” the Vice President of the European Parliament said in […]

Another decisive week for the name


The meeting which is supposed to take place between Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias on 12 April in Ohrid has been considered by media in Macedonia as a new attempt to give way to the solution of the name dispute. In an interview for the state news agency, MIA, PM Zoran Zaev said that he believes […]

Kotzias to visit Ohrid on Thursday


Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias beginshis mini Balkan tour and on Tuesday , while on Thursday (April 12) he is to meet FM Nikola Dimitrov in Ohrid. Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet officially confirmed Kotzias’s tour, but according to media outlets, Kotzias will hold meetings in Belgrade on Wednesday, on Thursday in Ohrid […]

Ambassador Garrett: Name dispute settlement is main security issue in region


The name dispute settlement is the main security issue for the region, says British Ambassador Charles Garrett. In an interview with Telma TV station Ambassador Garrett says he expects Macedonia and Greece to make a compromise, whereas the solution will be a turning point in Macedonia’s future. “I am a cautious optimist. I see the talks […]

Koumoutsakos: Opposition more concerned after FM Kotzias’ briefing on name talks


We are more concerned after the briefing of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on the pace of Athens-Skopje name talks, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, the shadow foreign minister of Greek opposition party ‘New Democracy, said on Thursday. ‘The New Democracy holds to its position that the solution must be complex, comprehensive and final, namely one that will meet […]

Greek government mulling larger majority vote on name agreement


 Close associates of Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras are contemplating on a larger majority vote of 180 MPs instead of a simple majority of 151 regarding the possible name agreement in the parliament, MIA reports from Athens citing Greek media. “If there is an agreement on the FYROM name, the PM’s associates are discussing to […]

Katrougalos: There is progress in name talks, ball in other side’s court


– Greek Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs Georgios Katrougalos is a moderate optimist regarding the name issue settlement, saying the ball is in the other side’s court. “With regards to a solution, I am still a moderate optimist there is a window of opportunity and certain progress has been made on many issues. The ball is […]

Zaev optimistic about the meeting held in Vienna


Prime Minister  Zoran Zaev says that he’s optimistic that a solution will be found about the name dispute, following the last round of talks held in Vienna between Foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov and his Greek counterpart, Nikos Kotzias, in the presence of the UN envoy, Matthew Nimetz. “I have had a meeting with Foreign Minister […]

Kotzias to visit Skopje after Easter


In the middle of next week, following the Orthodox Easter holidays, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will travel to Skopje again, where he will meet with Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov. The date has not yet been determined, but the visit has already been agreed, report diplomatic sources. The intensification of meetings between Kotzias and Dimitrov, […]

MP Koumoutsakos: Serious complications in name talks


Opposition MP Georgios Koumoutsakos has criticized the Greek government over the name talks, saying they only confirm the existing impasse, MIA reports from Athens. “As far as we know, there are serious complications. In fact, Kotzias’ visit to the neighboring country started and ended with the landing at the airport in Skopje. In addition, the […]

FM Dimitrov denies mass media assumptions


Macedonian Foreign minister, Nikola Dimitrov, posted a tweet after the end of the Vienna negotiations over the name issue, through which he denied having held an unofficial presser other than his main statement to journalists when the meeting ended. “The procedure on the decision of the new name is at a delicate phase and the […]

Kotzias in Vienna: I hope we will make some positive steps


I hope we will make some positive steps today, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias told reporters prior to meeting with Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and UN envoy Matthew Nimetz in Vienna, Greek news agency ANA-MPA reported. The meeting is held in the Austrian Foreign Ministry, and prior to Nimetz’s meeting with Dimitrov and Kotzias, […]

Kotzias to meet Bushati in Tirana before name talks in Vienna


Following the authorisation by the Albanian President Ilir Meta to the (Albanian) Foreign Ministry and the commission negotiating the demarcation of the EEZ between Greece and Albania, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias will stop in Tirana shortly, before going to Vienna where he will meet with Nikola Dimitrov and Matthew Nimetz. Kotzias and Bushati will have extensive […]

Dimitrov: Vienna’s meeting inspires hope


Foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov has declared in a televised interview that a proper solution is required on the issue of the name, which would not humiliate anyone. “I hope that we will make efforts to move forward. Once this meeting is over, we will hold a meeting with the state leaders and the leaders of […]

Zbogar: Name discussions are intensifying


-” There is commitment and discussions are intensifying, which is good. We eagerly expect the meetings later this week”, stated European Union Ambassador Samuel Zbogar on Wednesday. “It is good to see that discussions are intensifying. We see commitment from both sides for a mutually acceptable solution. We eagerly expect the meetings later this week. […]

Greek FM Kotzias arrives in Skopje


The governmental plane carrying Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias landed Thursday at the Skopje Airport. It marks Kotzias’ first visit to Macedonia after the government renamed it into Skopje International Airport, seen as a concession in the name talks. It is the first time in 12 years that a Greek aircraft has landed at the […]

Kotzias to arrive in Skopje


The Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias is expected to arrive today afternoon for a two-day visit to Macedonia. The Greek delegation will arrive at the international airport Skopje. Meetings are scheduled with the head of the Macedonian diplomacy Nikola Dimitrov, and other senior state officials. As the Macedonian foreign minister announced, the two ministers will discuss […]

Tzanakopoulos: Compound name for all uses


  “I hope our neighbors will continue to negotiate through good will so that we reach a mutually acceptable solution”, says Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos, MIA reports from Athens. In an interview with Greek TV station Blue Sky, Tzanakopoulos reiterated the Greek positions of a compound name for all uses, without entering into details […]