Gallop-polls about the Skopian issue

[Ellinas]

Results of the latest gallop-poll about the Skopian issue. It was organized by "RASS" and it was firstly presented in the "Proto Thema" newspaper.

62,2% believe that the name of Skopia must not contain the word "Macedonia" at all (ex: Vardarska, Skopia).
29,7% believe that the solution is a compound name (ex: FYROM).
2,4% believe that Skopia must be called as they want (Republic of Macedonia).
5,8% did not want to express opinion on the issue.

Once more the goverment of ND ignores the will of the majority and promoting a compound name.

[Ellinas]

UN's Nimetz to visit Athens and Skopje

Special United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz said in New York on Thursday that he intends to visit Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in the "near future".

Nimetz was speaking to reporters after meeting Greek UN ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis and his FYROM counterpart Nikola Dimitrov, in a new round of talks between Greece and FYROM to settle their dispute over the use of the name 'Macedonia' by FYROM.

Nimetz said that he handed over to the two envoys suggestions for criteria on the name issue to be studied by the two sides.

The new round of negotiations began at 15:30 Greek time and lasted two and a half hours. Nimetz, as well as Vassilakis and Dimitrov, said that the meeting was held in "a very good climate" and was, as the Greek envoy added, "honest".

Vassilakis said that "each one presented his proposals as you know them and the meeting will be useful to both to think over the future."

Responding to a question whether Thursday's meeting showed anything different from the previous ones, Vassilakis said that "it presented some improvements", underlining that "both want to find a solution."

Nimetz made the following statement at the end of the meeting:

"At our meeting Ambassador Vassilakis presented the position of his government and Ambassador Dimitrov presented the position of his Government, in both cases with respect to the difference with respect to the 'name' and related issues.

"For my part I urged the Parties to consider all possibilities so that a solution to this dispute can be found within a reasonable time frame. I believe a solution to an issue that divides two neighbouring countries is very much in the interests of both Parties and would also greatly contribute to regional peace and security.

"In an effort to assist the Parties in this process I respectfully made some suggestions in the form of a draft framework for their consideration as a basis for an honorable and fair resolution. I have urged Ambassadors Dimitrov and Vassilakis to bring these suggestions to their Governments for study.

"These discussions under the Secretary-General's auspices will continue in an effort to reach a resolution. I have indicated a willingness to go to Athens and Skopje in the near future to consult with the two Governments more intensively. Both Ambassador Dimitrov and Ambassador Vassilakis will discuss such a mission with their Governments."

Shortly before the new round of negotiations began, Greece's Vassilakis said in a statement:

"Greece has a positive approach to today's talks. We will try, as in the past, to find a solution that is mutually acceptable".

Greece objects to the use of the name "Republic of Macedonia" by FYROM, saying this may give rise to irredentist claims against a northern Greek province of the same name that shares a border with tiny and landlocked FYROM. It has also objected to FYROM's adoption of symbols associated with the ancient Macedonian king and general Alexander the Great as historically inaccurate.