Skopje, March 5 (MIA) - I have not brought a new proposal, but conveyed my perception where are we after last weekend negotiations in New York, UN mediator in the Macedonian-Greek talks on the name issue Matthew Nimitz said Wednesday after meeting Macedonia's leadership in Skopje.
- I may say that there is really a great interest here in resolving the problem. We have discussed the latest proposals, reviewed all options. Authorities here have very serious issues in regard to the proposals of February 19, as the authorities of the other side. I have presented my opinion about ideas I believe offer room for solution, and they presented theirs, as well as the Government's position on what is acceptable and unacceptable for the country. I am very encouraged and we will keep working on the matter, Nimetz said.
The President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister have been working hard for closing the issue, Nimetz said, commending their serious efforts to reaching a solution in line with the Government's position, state interest, and at the same time in favor of the region.
However, both sides still view the solution in a different way, the UN mediator said.
- We have two countries with different views of history and relations. Both of them wish to put an end to the matter. When I go to Athens and Skopje I have a sense that people wish to put this issue behind, Nimetz said.
President Branko Crvenkovski, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki, and Macedonia's negotiator in the name talks Nikola Dimitrov represented the country at today's meeting with Nimetz.
From Skopje the UN mediator heads to Thessaloniki for meeting with the Greek negotiator Ademantios Vassilakis.
Nimetz's new initiative comes after the latest unsuccessful round of Macedonia-Greece talks in New York last weekend, and ahead of Thursday's meeting of NATO foreign ministers, which should define whether Macedonia will be invited to join the Alliance's at April's Bucharest Summit.