US involved in resolving Macedonia name dispute

Dimitrov, in New York, will meet with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Kotzias, who on the other hand has held meetings with senior American officials who are involved in efforts to resolve the conflict.

After meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the head of Greek diplomacy indirectly confirmed that Athens no longer thinks of the latest proposal “Republic of Macedonia”.

We continue with the need to accept one of the names proposed by the mediator, Nimic. We do not agree, as you know, with the fifth name of his proposals “Republic of Macedonia (Skopje)” and we continue money in search of a strategic plan for friendly co-operation with this state under its new name”, broadcast the minister's statement, Kotzias, writes REL.

Macedonian officials, on the other hand, say they do not give up the proposal, which they say is not at risk of identity, while as such, according to Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, is acceptable to other ethnic communities.

Despite differences in attitudes, former Foreign Affairs Minister Denko Maleski believes a compromise can be reached. Optimism he bases on strengthened support of the international community, which as never before is committed to closing the 27-year conflict.

“The intervention of US Vice President Mike Pence, who has called on the chief of Greek diplomacy, Kotziaj specifically on this issue is something not particularly relevant to the moment in which Macedonia is located, which requires that its needs be resolved and that it become part of Western alliances, which in turn have a strong interest to include Macedonia in their structures and to be as far away from possible Russian”, Maleski says.

Bekim Kadriu, professor of international law, said that despite the Greek side's rejection of the proposal, of importance, it is that the negotiation process continues and that all options remain open.

There is nothing we can say about the final resolution of the conflict because the name proposal is not actually accepted by the Greek side. But it is now good because we know what negotiations are about. I appreciate that there should be nothing negative in this as negotiations continue, end up if that name is not accepted does not mean that no other name will be accepted, either with changes to other elements of the package. The bottom line is that any crisis in negotiations does not have all options or alternatives are open”, Kadriu says.

He and Maleski say compromise can only be reached if both sides make concessions, as they have already realised that by resolving this dispute, the two states win.