Zaev: Macedonia and Greece together can find name solution ahead of EU Council

I believe that Macedonia and Greece together can reach a solution prior to the Council of the EU, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said answering questions at a news conference on Wednesday.

Asked when he expected a name solution to be sent to the UN, Zaev said the parties were ‘not far away from reaching a solution, although we can at the same time be truly very far away from a solution.’

“I would like us to reach a solution even before the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which is on May 17-18. But, it is more important to reach a solution. I assure you, by keeping close to what matters the most – to maintain the dignity and identity of both Macedonia and Greece – we are trying to reach the agreement which provides Macedonia with a NATO invitation and a date for start of EU negotiations,” Zaev told reporters.

Macedonia, he said, deserves it and has fulfilled all criteria.

“Although being a political issue, we must close all political issues. Using pro-democratic and pro-Western manners, I believe the two parties will find the strength ultimately to find a permanent and sustainable solution in the interest of the two sides,” PM Zaev stated.