SKOPJE, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The positive atmosphere that currently exists between Macedonia and Greece allows the two countries to make a step forward to resolve the name issue in the upcoming months, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Friday.
Macedonia is the name of a northern province in Greece, and Athens is worried that the use of the same name by the neighboring state could lead to territorial claims.
In a media statement, Zaev said that the recent visit of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias to Skopje was a positive signal that the two countries would work to find a way out of the situation.
"I remain positive. There is a positive atmosphere, there is friendship, dialogue and conversations, and the two meetings of the foreign ministers in Skopje and in Athens confirm that," said Zaev.
Zaev told reporters that it was possible that United Nations (UN) mediator Matthew Nimetz, appointed to oversee the name issue, would make a proposal to come to resolve the issue between November and January.
The head of the Macedonian government also said he was ready to work with opposition parties here to solve the problem.
