Some 8,000 people, many carrying banners saying "The name Macedonia is ours," demonstrated against any Greek compromise with the former Yugoslav republic bearing the same name at two separate rallies in Greece's northern port city of Thessaloniki Wednesday. ( dpa )
Greece has threatened to veto Macedonia's upcoming bid to join NATO over the use of the name, which it has objected to since Macedonia gained independence in 1991 on the grounds it could imply claims on the northern Greek province of Macedonia and could destabilize the region.
The rallies were held hours before UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz was due to arrive in the northern port city for brief talks with the Greek government on the issue.
Nimetz, who earlier met with officials from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in Skopje, said Greece and Macedonia were not close to ending the dispute over the name.
The UN envoy said that there was a "gap" between the two countries' positions on his proposals for a solution, which is becoming increasingly urgent before the upcoming NATO summit.
"The government in Macedonia has very serious views on issues with my proposals," Greek reports quoted Nimetz as saying after talks with Macedonian officials. "I can say that Greece also has some problems with my proposals."
He said that "he got a lot of encouragement to keep up this task, so we will be working."
Greece has threatened to veto Macedonia's bid to join the military alliance during an April 2-4 summit in Bucharest unless a solution to the name dispute between the two neighbours is reached.
The name dispute between Greece and its neighbour broke out shortly after Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Macedonia is called FYROM at the United Nations, but the United States and more than 100 countries have recognized it as Macedonia.
Earlier this month, UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz presented both countries with five alternate names, which according to a Greek newspaper are: Constitutional Republic of Macedonia, Democratic Republic of Macedonia, Independent Republic of Macedonia, New Republic of Macedonia and Republic of Upper Macedonia.
Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni has repeatedly said that "no solution means no invitation" to NATO.
"Accession requires the approval from all members of NATO. There is no doubt that Greece will not relinquish any of the its membership rights."
NATO foreign ministers will meet on March 6 in Brussels for their final discussion on membership aspirations of Macedonia, Albania and Croatia ahead of a summit in Bucharest April 2-4 that will determine whether to issue invitations.