German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared optimistic that a solution can be found regarding the dispute between Greece and FYROM for the name and identity of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

In her statements during the annual meeting “Brdo-Brijuni Process” that brings together heads of state from Southeastern European countries in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Mrs Merkel said: “I believe that we can somehow resolve the issue. I personally got involved in it and thought about all the possible combinations of the name, but sometimes I think there is nothing more that can be devised.”

The German Chancellor stressed that she is ready to have a constructive cooperation to resolve the issue, noting that “compromise is the only solution”

“In Germany we say ‘compromise is when everyone involved is equally unhappy’. In a compromise, you cannot expect everyone to be completely satisfied and happy. However, when everyone is equally unhappy, the compromise is considered fair,” Mrs. Merkel stressed and added that there must be a way for FYROM to join NATO and the European Union.