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The meeting between United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz and Greek Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos has shed no light regarding the dispute over Macedonia's name. In his statements after the discussion, the diplomat describes the talks between Athens and Skopje as "very difficult".

Matthew Nimetz states that he has received the "clear" position of the Greek government regarding the proposal which he had made to the two countries this April, explaining that Evangelos Venizelos has replied "verbally and explicitly". The proposed name had not been officially announced but sources claimed that it was "Upper Republic of Macedonia".

The diplomat has not ruled out the possibility of holding a summit between the two countries "at the appropriate time and under certain conditions". At the same time, however, he explains that the organization of such a meeting does not fall within his competence, adding that, as his observations show, the prime ministers of the two countries are working on the issue differently.

"In all cases, the letters the two countries have recently sent speak for themselves and need no comment," states the diplomat.

Matthew Nimetz urges each side to understand the other's position, defining the continuation of the dialogue on a mutually acceptable solution regarding the name Macedonia as "very important".

Asked whether Greece's upcoming presidency of the European Union can accelerate this process, the diplomat states that the issue is of national importance for the two countries and does not depend on a temporary institution such as the presidency of the European Union.

Nimetz describes today's meeting as constructive without revealing details about the content of his discussion with Evangelos Venizelos. He will be in Skopje on Tuesday where he will hear the opinion of the Macedonian side in the renewed phase of the mediation process under the auspices of the United Nations.