Macedonia expects progress in name row talks with Greece

(SKOPJE) - Macedonia expects more progress in an almost two-decade name dispute with Greece after a new government is formed following early elections, President Gjorge Ivanov said Saturday.

"After the new parliament and government are formed, we expect the United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz to undertake concrete actions to bring more dynamics (into the talks) and finally find a mutually acceptable solution," MIA news agency quoted Ivanov as saying.

Skopje officially became a candidate for EU membership in 2005, but Athens has blocked it from becoming a member saying that the name Macedonia implies a claim on the northern Greek region of the same name.

UN-led negotiations have so far remained fruitless.

On Friday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said the executive European Commission "might propose not only the candidacy status but also the start of accession talks" for certain Balkan countries and Macedonia could be among them.

"We hope that when the name (issue) is resolved, there will be momentum in favour of it," Fuele estimated in Brussels.

Ivanov welcomed Fuelle's comments, saying that the start of the accession talks "is linked with the name issue".

"We expect the Greek side to be constructive as we are constructive with regard to every Nimetz proposal, so we both contribute to a peaceful life in the region," Ivanov said.

Macedonia's ruling conservatives of the VMRO-DPMNE party won most of the votes in the June 5 polls, but failed to gain an outright majority.

According to the constitution, the new parliament must be confirmed 20 days after the election. The new government should be formed not later than August.