U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Thursday that Washington continued to support UN special mediator Matthew Nimetz's efforts for the finding of a solution to the "name issue" dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Referring to Friday's meeting in Brussels between Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and her FYROM counterpart with U.S. participation, McCormack said: "U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried is in Brussels. He will be having some meetings, supportive to international efforts, particularly UN efforts, for the finding of a solution to the name issue. We continue to support Ambassador Nimetz's efforts. We have at times met with each side."

He said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has met separately with the Greek and FYROM foreign ministers "to encourage them towards finding a solution to this issue."

"I think that one should view these meetings with both sides as part of this ongoing effort under the prism of UN support," the spokesman said.

McCormack also reiterated that the U.S. wanted a solution, pointing out that NATO functions on the basis of unanimous decisions.

Greece has repeatedly declared that it would object to a NATO invitation extended to FYROM for joining the Alliance.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis will meet with her FYROM counterpart Antonio Milososki in Brussels on Friday, in the framework of the ongoing UN-brokered effort for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the FYROM name issue.

Source: Athens News Agency

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