New York (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou)
UN special mediator on the FYROM name issue Matthew Nimetz announced that the rift between Greece and FYROM remained, and that there has been no agreement, but nevertheless the two sides desired continuation of the efforts for finding a solution to the problem, in statements to the press after a two-hour joint meeting at his Manhattan office with the negotiators of the two countries on Saturday.
Replying to questions, Nimetz said that a new meeting has not been set, adding that the Greek and FYROM negotiators to the UN-mediated name talks, Ambassadors Adamantios Vassilakis and Nikolai Dimitrov respectively, would be returning to their countries.
He also said that he had not submitted any new proposal or new document during Saturday’s meeting, and opined that there would be negative consequences in the region if the name issue was not resolved.
Saturday’s meeting had been preceded by separate meetings with Vassilakis and Dimitrov on Friday, after which he said he had ascertained a “substantive rift”.
Nimetz told reporters that the proposal, or text of ideas, he had submitted to the two sides during talks in Athens on February 19 did not satisfy either side, adding that he did not present any new ideas during Saturday’s meeting.
“The positions are different,” he said, noting that “neither side is in a position to say that my proposal is the correct solution, there is still no agreement.”
Nimetz said that the two Ambassadors would return to their countries, and would remain in contact with him.
He said that no date has been set for a new meeting, but added that both sides desired continuation of the process, “which the consider truly important”.
The UN mediator reiterated that a resolution of the name issue would be of benefit to both countries and to the region, adding that with no solution “the problems will be significant”.
Replying to questions, Nimetz said that “I am a UN negotiator, I have no power here (on the issue), but I think that it is acknowledged in both countries that there will be immense benefits from the achievement of some kind of solution”.
Asked whether the two sides agreed on something, Nimetz stressed that they agree on “mutual respect”.
Nimetz reiterated that he had not presented any new proposal or document, while to a question on whether the time was right to upgrade the talks to ministerial level, the UN envoy noted that “the two ambassadors are experiences, very clear, they have the confidence of their governments, and expressed the views of their governments very well”, adding that “I do not seek upgrading, that is a political decision”.
Asked if he desired US assistance to help the situation, Nimetz stated “not only the US, but other countries as well, particularly European countries that are friendly with both sides, must continue to speak with them on the issue and urge them to finding a constructive way to a solution”.
