Despite all efforts, a solution to the Macedonia "name" row with Greece will not come soon, the US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, admits to media in Washington.

Rice reiterated that the United States is working on facilitating a compromise but admitted that this is far from happening with the way things stand at the moment.

"It is our great hope that this name issue can be resolved. I keep saying quickly - it's obviously not going to be resolved quickly," Rice said at a press conference.

The state secretary noted that Macedonia's admission into NATO - which was effectively blocked by Greece in April - would be of interest to all.

"It is important that both sides recognise that whatever happens on the name issue, the real benefit here is of the incorporation of Macedonia into NATO - it will benefit NATO, it will benefit Macedonia, it will benefit Greece, it will benefit the Balkans."

Athens blocked Skopje's invitation to join NATO arguing that the country must change its name first. Greece says Macedonia's name implies Skopje's territorial claims over the Greek northern province of the same name.

The ongoing efforts to reach a deal on this issue in the United Nations have practically come to a halt.
This is as both countries are preparing to outline their case before the International Court of Justice at The Hague on whether Greece was right to block Macedonia's bid to join NATO.

Skopje took Athens before the World Court earlier this month arguing that by blocking Macedonia's membership, Greece has broken the UN Interim Accord signed in 1995 in which it pledges not to stop Skopje from joining international institutions as long as it joins using the provisional reference, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM.

Some analysts argue that the fresh court case could further deepen tensions between the two neighbours.

Source: Balkan Insight