Merkel meets FYROM PM, urges solution to 'name issue'

Page last updated at 05:26 GMT, Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 10:26 EST

BERLIN (AMNA / F. Karaviti) - Following a meeting with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski here on Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed support for the land-locked state's efforts to join the EU and NATO, while appealing to Athens and Skopje to continue negotiations to achieve a deal on the "name dispute".

"The issue of the name must be settled," she said, indicating that Skopje should definitely continue talks with Athens on a solution.

"In the European Union we are all used to compromises, otherwise the Union could not survive," the German chancellor added. She also said there is still a great deal that can be done in the one-time Yugoslav republic in the sector of justice and in terms of transparency.

However, she pointed out that "in the European Union no discounts can be made unless certain preconditions are met," adding that the settlement of the "name issue" is also a precondition for a membership in the bloc.

Gruevski said his government again intends to apply to join NATO at the next summit meeting in Chicago in May.