Greek Name Disput: Nimetz schedules December 11-12 meeting in Brussels


Matthew Nimetz, the UN Envoy in the Macedonia-Greece name talks, has scheduled a meeting with countries' representatives in Brussels on 11-12 December.

"The meeting is part of the United Nations' efforts to assist the sides in finding a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue", reads a UN statement.

Talks were initially set for next week but were later rescheduled for December.

The new round of talks comes at a time of improved political climate between Macedonia and Greece and optimism in Skopje, Athens and Washington over closure of the long-standing dispute.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Yee said recently the will for resolving the issue in Greece and Macedonia is at its highest level, more than ever before. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has voiced expectation that the issue would be closed in the first half of 2018, while Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said a step forward was required, with chances to reach a solution now greater than even before.