Skopje Hints at New 'Name' Plan, But No Details

German MEP Jorgo Chatzimarkakis told media in Skopje that Gruevski had revealed a new plan that, if successful, would put an end to the long-standing row within a few weeks.

He did not give any details about the plan.

“We hope that the new idea will bring a positive result in the coming weeks,” Shatzirmarkakis said.

Shatzirmarkakis reiterated what EU diplomats have been urging for some time, namely that the window of opportunity for a solution to the spat should be capitalised on in the coming months.

“Any postponement after that will cause big problems,” he noted.

Macedonia’s EU entry bid is stalled due to the Greek blockade over the unresolved name issue. Athens insists that Skopje’s formal name, Republic of Macedonia, implies territorial claims against its own northern province, also called Macedonia.

In December Athens blocked Skopje from acquiring a start date for its EU accession talks. In 2008 Greece blocked Macedonia from entering NATO over the same dispute.