US 'Expects Name Row Solution by October'

The United States believes it is high time to solve the Athens- Skopje name dispute and unblock the Euro-Atlantic integration of Macedonia, the head of the opposition Social Democrats told media after the meeting.

In comments made during his visit to the Macedonian capital, Gordon advised that Macedonia "should work out a solution together with Greece", adding that "once that happens the US will back up that solution".

According to Crvenkovski, previous expectations that a resolution would be found by June don't allow enough time to find a compromise for the long lasting spat. He said that the US hopes that it will be resolved by October or early November, which would coincide with the NATO summit in Portugal.

"By then the process should be completed, which means that we should start now," Crvenkovski said.

The row over the use of the name Macedonia is hampering Skopje’s efforts to enter NATO and the EU.

In 2008 Athens blocked Skopje from receiving an invitation to join NATO pending a resolution of the spat. In December Greece prevented Macedonia from getting its desired start date for EU accession talks over the same dispute.

Athens insists that Skopje’s official name, Republic of Macedonia, implies territorial claims against its own northern province, which is also called Macedonia.

Crvenkovski and Gordon also spoke about recent operations and weapon busts by the Macedonian police.

"From their side they emphasised once again that radical and extreme elements are unacceptable,” Crvenkovski said. He added that “it was suggested that everything possible should be done to build good inter-ethnic relations, which are a key factor for stability in the country.”

During the course of his visit Gordon is also expected to meet with Macedonia President Georgi Ivanov and Ali Ahmeti, the head of the biggest ethnic Albanian party, the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI, which is part of the ruling coalition.

He was also expected to meet with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who just finished an official visit to Morroco. Due to weather conditions, however, Gruevski flew to Zagreb directly for meetings there, his office told media. Gordon is to meet Gruevski in Zagreb this evening.

This is Gordon’s first visit to Macedonia since he succeeded Daniel Fried in his post in May 2009.

The top state department official met with Kosovo leaders yesterday in Pristina.