(ANSA) - SKOPJE - A meeting between representatives of Macedonia and Greece in the presence of UN mediator Matthew Nimetz will take place in New York early December to draw the two countries closer with regard to the old dispute over the name of the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said, after meeting Thessaloniki Mayor Janis Butaris i Skopje on Thursday. The talks focused on the ways to intensify bilateral cooperation, which is very important in order to strengthen mutual trust, that is the basis for any potential agreement between the two countries. Greece questions the name of the former Yugoslav country, believing that the term 'Macedonia' - which is the same of its northern province - belongs exclusively to Greek historical and cultural heritage.

For many years, Athens has blocked Macedonia's path towards integration into the EU and Nato. A mediation conducted by the UN representative Nimetz has not yet produced any tangible results. (ANSA).