Greece, Macedonia talks focus on name change

SKOPJE, Macedonia – The Foreign Ministers of Macedonia and Greece have begun a new round of talks aimed at resolving a name dispute between the two countries by the end of June.

Nikola Dimitrov of Macedonia and Greece's Nikos Kotzias met at the lakeside resort of Ohrid in southwestern Macedonia Thursday as part of United Nations-assisted negotiations that started last summer.

Greece has accused the former Yugoslav republic of laying claim to its territory and ancient heritage, and wants the tiny nation to add a modifier — like "North" or "New" — to the name Macedonia. Both sides have committed to a name change but remain at odds over constitutional guarantees and descriptions of ethnicity and language.

Athens says it will lift its veto to Macedonia's accession to NATO if the dispute is resolved.