The two held all-day talks yesterday, along with UN mediator Matthew Nimetz, even as expert committees with representatives from both sides were discussing details of a settlement and confidence-building measures for the post-solution era.
Meanwhile, in Skopje PM Zoran Zaev was attempting to persuade the hardline VMRO-DPMNE main opposition party leader Hristijan Mickoski, in a televised debate, that a solution is in the national interest, and that there is currently a singular opportunity to reach a settlement with Greece that will allow Skopje to enter Nato and begin accession talks with the EU.
“We never had a better opportunity in the last 25 years, nor will we have a better opportunity in the coming period,” Zaev said.
“If we lose this opportunity, the negotiation will be more difficult in the next 10 years and there will be even smaller chances for a solution. Now we are close. I call upon the politicians of Macedonia to exhibit seriousness and clear –mindedness. I am ready to assume my share of the responsibility in taking the decisions. We have said that in the end the citizens will decide in a referendum. With creativity, we want to find a solution that is acceptable to both sides. Zaev and Tsipras may join hands, but it is the institutions which will decide, and on our side, the citizens with a referendum,” FYROM’s PM said.
