EU's Ashton Hopes for Skopje-Athens Breakthrough

Baroness Ashton visited the region last week, stopping in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo. She said that she “was not able to visit as many countries as she wanted.” 

Although Skopje was not on her agenda during this most recent tour, she confirmed that she is well informed about the ongoing discussions on the name issue, though said that she hesitates to get involved actively.

“As far as I am concerned there are bilateral discussions taking place,” Ashton said in Brussels. “I am not getting involving myself because it is not appropriate at this time but I do hope that a resolution will be reached,” she added.

Macedonian leaders are holding consultations Monday ahead of tomorrow’s arrival of the UN mediator in the Athens-Skopje “name” row, US diplomat Matthew Nimetz. Macedonian President Georgi Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and Deputy Prime Minister Abdilaqim Ademi are to discuss their expectations for the upcoming round of talks.

Depending on what is put on the table during the meetings with Nimetz, Gruevski on Sunday said he would later consider summoning the opposition leaders to inform them as well.

A solution to the name issue is of key importance for Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration. Greece, who is a full member of the EU and NATO, conditions any further steps toward the EU integration of Skopje on the resolution of the dispute.