Macedonian, Greek PMs Meet In Brussels

There was no indication that any progress had been made in resolving the Athens-Skopje name dispute following the 30 minute meeting.

After the two men spoke, Gruevski did not address the press and the Macedonian government released a brief statement saying only that the two leaders discussed a range of issues ranging from the global economic crisis to the bilateral name dispute.

“Macedonia and Greece remain committed to and support the UN process led by mediator Matthew Nimetz,” the statement read.

Ahead of today's meeting Gruevski’s cabinet said that the informal parley is a joint initiative and is in the spirit of the already established practice of more frequent high level meetings between the two countries.

This was the fifth meeting between the two prime ministers but local observers say it is unlikely it will have any significant effect on the ongoing developments regarding Macedonia’s EU accession bid, which is currently being blocked by Greece.

Heads of state and government of the EU member states are meeting today at the European Council. Due to the unresolved Athens-Skopje “name” row, the issue of setting a date for the start of Skopje’s EU accession talks is unlikely to be on the agenda.

Greece objects to Macedonia’s official name, arguing that it implies territorial claims against its own northern province, also called Macedonia. After blocking Skopje’s NATO bid in 2008, Athens also blocked its neighbour’s bid to be granted a start date for EU accession negotiations in December last year, citing the unresolved issue.

This was done although the European Commission in its report previously recommended that a start date be extended as a reward for Macedonia’s achieved reforms.

Since then EU officials have been unsuccessfully urging for a swift solution to the bilateral spat within the framework of the UN-led negotiations. However, there has been only one round of UN sponsored name talks since then and no sign of a breakthrough in sight.

In parallel with the UN talks, the two countries’ PMs last fall began holding face to face meetings. While these meetings are brief, observers say that the talks can help build mutual trust between the two sides, which for years failed to make any high level direct contact.

The Gruevski-Papandreou meeting took place before the Macedonian prime minister is expected to hold another important meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.

During that discussion Gruevski is expected to inform Fuele of Macedonia’s stance regarding the name dispute.