SKOPJE, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) mediator facilitating the talks between Macedonia and Greece over the name issue, Matthew Nimetz, told reporters here Thursday he was hopeful and optimistic that the two countries would soon find a solution to this decades-long problem.
"The process is moving forward, there is will for a solution on both sides. This positive moment needs to be used. Now is the right time to reach a solution so that the region finally moves forward, with the two countries resuming their cooperation and friendship," Nimetz said after Thursday's meeting with Macedonian foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov.
According to Nimetz, although there are differences in the positions held by the two countries, a solution is possible.
Dimitrov told reporters he had informed Nimetz that the name issue was an exceptionally important issue for Macedonian citizens.
"We want this issue to be solved in a way that is considered as dignified in both countries. We understand citizens in Greece who identify themselves as Macedonians, but our Greek neighbors and no one else in 21st-century Europe can deny our right to be Macedonians and speak in the Macedonian language, part of the Slavic group of languages," said Dimitrov.
Nimetz is expected to hold other meetings with other senior officials here. He is visiting Macedonia after having visited Athens in a new mission to find a solution on the name dispute that exists between Skopje and Athens.
Late Wednesday, several so-called patriotic organizations held a protest in front of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev's office, saying they would strongly object the country's name change.
They also called for Nimetz's resignation, claiming his proposals over the name issue were far from a dignified solution.
