Kotzias: Too late for FYROM to join NATO in July

There is not enough time for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join NATO at the alliance's summit in July, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said on Wednesday during a lull in momentum in talks between Athens and Skopje on the "Macedonia" name issue.

"It is totally clear that FYROM will not join NATO [in July]," Kotzias told 24/7 radio station, noting that Skopje wants to hold a referendum on any deal reached, which would then have to go to the country's Parliament, which would also have to approve changes to the national constitution, as demanded by Athens.

"If we are to have an agreement, we must agree on constitutional changes. So it will go back to the fall," he said.

Meanwhile the Greek Foreign Ministry hit back at the European enlargement commissioner for saying a solution to the "Macedonia" name dispute is within reach, noting that the...