BDI is embarking on a diplomatic campaign seeking a solution to the name issue. This is the general view of BDI leader Ali Ahmeti’s visit to the United States of America and of Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Besimi’s visit to Greece. Ahmeti is set to meet high-ranking US officials in Washington, possibly even US Vice President Joe Biden, as well as mediator Matthew Nimetz. Besimi, on the other hand, is set to meet Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Nova Makedonija reports.

What can be expected of these visits? Is it real to believe that Ahmeti and his party are capable of propelling this process forward? All analysts agree that not much should be expected yet their individual specific views differ. While according to some the contribution may be small yet significant, according to others there would be no contribution whatsoever.  Does BDI have other goals, too?  What side effects may be expected of the large-scale and expensive effort the party is taking in regard to the name issue? According to analysts, this may promote Ahmeti into a political authority equal to Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. In other words, he may grow into a factor on which all processes in Macedonia, not just those relating to the interethnic relations and the ethnic rights of Albanians, depend. However, they underline this may be just a side effect, without arguing that this is the true goal behind BDI’s activities regarding the name issue.