FM in landmark visit to Skopje amid rift at home

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias is due to conduct a landmark visit to Skopje Thursday, amid signs that Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are edging closer to a solution on the latter's official name, though differences remain within the coalition in Athens over the issue.

Kotzias is due to arrive in FYROM's capital Thursday on the first direct flight between Athens and Skopje in nearly 12 years.

He and his FYROM counterpart Nikola Dimitrov are to discuss the seven-point proposal sent to Skopje by Athens. Reports indicate that the two sides are close to agreeing on the name Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia).

However, irrespective of the prospects for progress in the Skopje talks Thursday, there are concerns about lingering divisions in the Greek coalition over the name issue.

Dimitris Kammenos, an MP for...