EU envoy: Macedonia can settle name dispute by late June

SKOPJE, Macedonia – The European Union's foreign policy chief says she believes Greece and Macedonia can overcome a long-standing name dispute by late June, clearing the way for the Balkan nation to start accession talks.

Federica Mogherini visited Macedonia and Albania on Wednesday, a day after recommending that both countries start membership talks.

In Skopje, she met with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and credited his government with implementing reforms that would "not have been imaginable 10 months ago."

Asked if she thought the name dispute could be resolved before EU leaders meet June 28-29, she said "yes, I think a result is possible."

Macedonia says it's willing modify its name to address Greek concerns of a potential territorial claim, but the two countries remain at odds over the need for a constitutional guarantee.