“We both want there to be good cooperation between the two states, and we want voices of extremist nationalism and irredentism to be isolated” said Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias after meeting with FYROM’s Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki.

During the joint conference Mr. Kotzias said that “We don’t want to show inertia. We want to capitalize on the talks taking place at the UN on the central problem of the name” adding that ” both of us are happy with the initiative we took, the confidence-building measures.”.

He said that both sides are negotiating this issue at the UN and are seeking an honest compromise that combats irredentism and extremist nationalism.

Regarding the name issue, Mr. Poposki said “There is a dispute regarding the name. Regarding this name dispute, there is a discussion. That is, just as with the geographical position our countries have, separated by mountains, there are corresponding obstacles.”

He also stressed that FYROM “has a strategy to have good relations with Greece, and this is the direction in which we must guide our relations.”

The two officials also talked about the refugee issue, the reforms needed throughout the region, development of the rule of law, combating organized crime while they “had a particularly interesting conversation on the energy issue and the neighboring country’s intention to connect to Greece’s energy network system”.