( dpa ) - Greek and Macedonian diplomats remained at odds Monday in a long-running dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name.
The deadlock has dragged on since Macedonia broke away from former Yugoslavia in 1991, and a Greek veto is clouding the Balkan country's chances of joining the NATO military alliance.
"I am more optimistic after today's talks. But much still remains to be done," Greece's NET television quoted UN mediator Matthew Nimetz as saying in Vienna, Austria, after the latest two hours of talks.
Both sides agreed to continue talks next week in New York, Nimetz said.
NATO and European Union member Greece objects to the country name Republic of Macedonia, pointing to the northern Greek region called Macedonia and accusing its Slavic-majority neighbour of usurping symbols of ancient Greek culture.
However, Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as the country is officially known, have recently hinted at flexibility over a new name for Macedonia that could be agreeable to both sides.
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