UN envoy, in Athens, says time to end name dispute

A UN special envoy urged Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Tuesday to seize on momentum in talks to resolve a name dispute straining relations for a quarter of a century, saying the two sides now appeared "energized" to reach an accord.

"Everyone knows what the issues are. There is a time for decision-making, and I think we are there," said Matthew Nimetz, UN special envoy on the "Macedonia" dispute since 1999.

"I know the (Greek) government is very sincere and energized to reach a solution to the problem ... I think there is a will here, and I think also in Skopje, to try to reach a settlement," he told reporters in Athens.

The two countries recently agreed to intensify talks. Still, there is mounting public sentiment in Greece against any deal that could include the name Macedonia. Greece has said a compromise could include a...