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Fresh Talks on Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Name Issue

The envoy charged with mediating efforts by the United Nations to resolve the long-running dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia over the latter's name heads to the region this week for a fresh round of talks.

Matthew Nimetz, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on the issue, has meetings scheduled in Skopje on Thursday and then Thessaloniki on Friday, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters.

Last week Mr. Nimetz held talks with representatives of the two countries in New York in the latest of many meetings conducted in recent months in a bid to reach a deal.

The envoy reported in March that there had been no progress on the issue, despite an acknowledgement by both Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that a solution was in their best interests.

The Interim Accord of 13 September 1995, which was brokered by the UN, details the difference between Athens and Skopje on the name issue. It obliges the two sides to continue negotiations under the Secretary-General's auspices in a bid to reach agreement.

Source: United Nations