Macedonia, Greece to Discuss 'Name' Deal in Vienna

Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias are set to meet on Friday in Vienna with the UN mediator, Matthew Nimetz, to resume their ongoing efforts for a breakthrough in the dispute over Macedonia's name.

The two minister are expected to present their countries' separate draft agreements, which they previously exchanged with each other, after which Nimetz is expected to draft one unifying document to overcome the dispute.

Ahead of the Vienna meeting, Kotzias said in Athens on Wednesday that Greece would insist on a composite name with a geographical qualifier for its neighbour that would eliminate any chances for irredentism against Greek territory and make a clear difference between the country and the Greek province of Macedonia.

"We should find a composite name that would mark the particularity and the geographical position of this country, [Republic of Macedonia], and would at the same time not offend either of the two sides," Kotzias said.

He reiterated Greece's position that Macedonia should change its constitution to introduce the new agreed name, which is seen as a stumbling block in the ongoing talks.

While Greece says Macedonia must put the new compromise name into the Macedonian constitution, as an additional guarantee, Macedonia wants a solution that would apply only for international use.

Macedonia's Dimitrov said ahead of the meeting that the only way forward is if there is a balance between the key interests of both sides.

"The arguments of both sides must be taken into consideration ... and it would be very useful if we take into consideration what is most important for Macedonia and what is most important for Greece. That is the path that will...