ATHENS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias has expressed certainty that the difficulties in resolving the name issue with Skopje will be overcome in a few days with a "good compromise deal" to be clinched.
"Negotiations are not a straight line. There are ups and downs... The agreement is a good compromise to the benefit of both countries," he said, speaking to Greek national broadcaster ERT on Monday night.
Asked about the names on the table, he said that "Vardarska Makedonija" has been rejected by Skopje while three other options are still open: "Nova Makedonija", "Severna Makedonija" or "Gorna Makedonija".
Athens and Skopje have accelerated efforts to resolve the long standing name row in recent months.
Macedonia is formally called Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) at the United Nations. Macedonia is also the name of a northern province in Greece. Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.
The solving of name row that exists between two countries is seen as main obstacle that Macedonia has to overcome in order to make progress towards the European Union and NATO integration.
