Geneva - Greece and its northern neighbour ended Monday without results the latest round of talks in Geneva on the row over the name of the country referred to as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM). "We did not have a breakthrough," said Matthew Nimetz, the representative of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for the talks. "But, I did not expect one."
The dispute predates even the Cold War, but came to a head following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, when the Republic of Macedonia, as it called itself, tried to achieve international recognition.
Greece, which says the historical area of Macedonia is largely within its own country, has objections to its neighbour's use of the name for its country, language and nationality.
"This is a pretty unusual type of dispute. There are very few examples in history of this type of dispute," conceded Nimetz, who declined to give any details on the talks, other than to say no new proposals were tabled.
The comprise, the use of the rather tedious reference which satisfies neither side, has existed for nearly 15 years and allowed the country to enter the UN, but has created problems for the FYRM in joining other multi lateral groupings and organizations.
Nimetz said that "positions were entrenched" on both sides, but that "positions can change."
The talks, he stressed, were proceeding in a peaceful manner and there were improving relations between the two countries, particularly in trade matters. In the Balkans, Nimetz noted, peaceful talks could be rare, particularly on a "tough issue."
The next talks would be held in Skopje and Athens from July 6 through July 9.
