Matthew Nimetz, the UN mediator in the naming dispute between Athens and Skopje, is again holding talks with Greek and Macedonian leaders in the hope of coming to an agreement. Nimetz has proposed that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, a name that the Macedonian people do not accept, be renamed Northern Macedonia, or a variation on this name. Nimetz's principal aim is to satisfy the Greeks, a difficult task since Athens argues that any mention of the word Macedonia - also the name of a Greek region - would give Skopje an excuse to seize territory in northern Greece.

The aim of this further round of informal talks is to lay the foundations for the next UN General Assembly next autumn. According to BalkanInsight.com, the United States is particularly keen to see the naming dispute resolved to clear the way for Macedonia to join NATO. Macedonian membership is currently vetoed by Greece. The same source, citing the Greek media, says that Athens does not expect any progress to be made at the new meeting with Nimetz because the Greek position remains unchanged.

The meetings come just a few days after Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevksi sent letters to NATO, OSCE and UN members asking them to put pressure on Greece to acknowledge the Macedonian minority living in Greece, as well as seeking support in the ongoing naming dispute. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has since told Gruevski to concentrate on solving the name dispute before raising other issues. Nimetz, for his part, is refusing to get involved in the second debate and has said that his job is simply to come up with a name for Macedonia that is acceptable to both parties.

Further information:

• BalkanInsight.com: 'Northern Macedonia' Name May be in Pipeline
• UN News Centre: Fresh talks on former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name issue - UN