Different readings holding up name deal with FYROM

The conclusion of negotiations between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is being held up by disagreements over the "interpretation" of the legal documents and not over principle, according to senior ranking officials in Skopje.

However, both sides have signaled they expect a deal in coming days, even though Athens drew a distinction, albeit via a leak, between FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev as someone conducive to a deal and his foreign minister, Nikola Dimitrov, as someone prone to raising obstacles.

The expectations emanating from Skopje were indicated in remarks by FYROM's Deputy Premier Bujar Osmani, who said Friday that both sides may have differences in approach but not enough to lead to a collapse of talks.

"I think these are last steps of a marathon that has lasted for 35 years. Usually, the final meters are the most crucial...