Officials in Athens and Skopje expect the UN mediator in the longstanding dispute over FYROM's name - to which Greece objects - to put forward some fresh ideas.
Prior to Nimetz’s arrival in Greece, the Greek Foreign Minister, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said his country aimed for a solution that would respect each side's history and culture and strengthen regional stability and security.
“Nimetz’s visit... is a development that we wanted, to the extent that it can create the conditions for progress on the 'name' issue,” he said.
After meeting Greek officials, Nimetz is expected to go on to Skopje.
"I hope for new initiatives and ideas [from Nimetz],” the FYROM's President, Gjorge Ivanov, said before the New Year's holiday.
Media in both countries report that Nimetz is indeed bringing specific proposals, involving a composite name with geographical qualifier.
This might concern the use of the terms "Northern", or "Vardar", placed before "Republic of Maredonia".
Nimetz’s fresh push follows the recent conclusion of the EU Council, which said that any decision on opening accession talks for FYROM would be based on the report of the European Commission to be published in spring 2013.
The report will assess whether FYROM has made genuine steps forward towards reaching a deal with Greece on its name.
Greece insists that FYROM’s name implies territorial claims to its own northern province, called Macedonia.
FYROM has obtained annual recommendations for a start to EU membership talks in European Commission reports since 2009.
But it has never been offered a date for the talks "owing" to the Greek "blockade" related to the dispute over its name.
Sinisa Jakov-Marusic Balkan Insight (08/01/13)
*(After the necessary corrections with the name "FYROM".
GREECE recognised this country with the name "FYROM")
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