SKOPJE Paul Byron Canadiens Jersey , July 29 (Xinhua) — Matthew Nimetz, the United Nations (U.N.) envoy for the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece, said on Tuesday that now is a good time for putting the talks forward and for settling the long-running name dispute.
“We have been at this for a long time and I do think this is an issue that needs to get resolved. With some of the problems that have developed throughout the world it is really important to try to resolve issues between countries rather than let them fester on and on,” Nimetz said after meeting with Macedonian Prime Minister Jeff Petry Canadiens Jersey , Nikola Gruevski in Skopje.
He did not bring any new proposal for a solution, neither he was presented a substantial new position by the government, but Nimetz said that the talks with the Macedonian government were substantial. He said that he expects the same from Greek side where he will go on Wednesday and after the visit he will inform about the further steps.
He made it clear that the identity of the Macedonian people is not to be negotiated, saying that his mandate is only to find an acceptable solution for the name of the state.
“The identity is something that I’m not negotiating. Peoples have identities and the UN does not negotiate the identities. People create their own identities through their actions and culture Phillip Danault Canadiens Jersey ,” Nimetz said.
The use of the name Macedonia remains a contentious issue since Macedonia declared independence from former Yugoslavia in 1991.