The new proposal regarding the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) submitted by UN Special Envoy Matthew Nimetz is one-sided the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

The ministry said that the new proposal effectively embraces the views of one side - that of FYROM - "a stance which does not fall within the concept of mediation," the statement read.

The purpose of mediation is for a compromise to be reached based on mutually acceptable proposals, the ministry said.

"Greece will continue working within the context of the UN procedure in order to find a mutually acceptable solution, because it believes that only through such a solution will bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries and two peoples be reinforced. It is the only way that stability in the region can be supported; the only way in which progress in the neighboring country's Euro-Atlantic pursuits will be facilitated," the ministry stated further.

In its statement, the ministry stressed that the Greek government will continue to exercise its right, in accordance with the bilateral agreement of 1995, to block FYROM's membership in any international organization if the latter attempts to join by using any name other than the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."

On his part, FYROM Prime Minister Vlado Buchkovski praised the new Nimetz proposal during a televised announcement.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by its northern neighbor on the grounds that it might encourage expansionist policies against Greece.

Greeks are also incensed by the attempts of FYROM Slavs to "usurp" the famous Macedonian king of antiquity Alexander the Great, from whom they claim descent.

Source: Athens News Agency

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