Macedonia was closest to finding solution to the name dispute with Greece in 1999-2000, but the chance was missed, Macedonian Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki told Greek Skai TV.

Milososki said that following the NATO Summit in Bucharest, Macedonia felt great pressure from the Greek Government over the Macedonian identity and language. In Milososki’s view, this is the reason why the Macedonia insists for a solution to the burning issues.

“Our statements or our wish to promote the national identity could largely be seen as a consequence or reaction to that pressure denying the right for self-determination,” stressed Milososki.

Commenting the Macedonian complaint against Greece before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, following the Bucharest veto on NATO membership, he said that it was a legal move, which wasn't politically motivated in a bid points to be scored in the name talks. FM Milososki deemed that postponing a name solution was not in favour of both Macedonia and Greece.