Athens is only buying time, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski about the current Greek position and their unwillingness to welcome mediator Matthew Nimetz in the region – on 4 February in Athens and on 15 February in Skopje. Diplomatic sources also say that until the summit of NATO in Chicago set for end May, no changes in Greece’s stance can be expected. In their view, any livening up in the name issue talks is possible only afterward, Nova Makedonija reports.  

In the first half of this year, despite the clear situation in view of the judgment from the International Court of Justice in The Hague, a change in NATO’s position is hardly likely. The standing of the NATO officials that a solution to the name dispute should be found so Macedonia can join the Alliance is very clear. Greece, on the other hand, refuses to recognize the judgment and hence a change in the attitude toward Macedonia is unlikely,” diplomats say.

Macedonian Prime Minister Gruevski too said that the disposition for having Nimetz in the region was not very welcoming.