"The process of overcoming the difference over the name has been pending for too long, but a good will and a constructive approach by both sides could lead to progress", the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon assessed at the meeting with the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, held today in Vienna.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 5th Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, President Ivanov and Secretary-General exchanged information and views on the UN-led process to overcome the difference over the name, after the last meetings of Mediator Nimetz in the past period.

President Ivanov welcomed the growing momentum in the process and noted that the Republic of Macedonia actively and constructively, as before, is participating in the process, in good faith, to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

"It is possible to reach such a solution if the other party applies the same approach and strictly adheres to the frame in which the talks are lead", President Ivanov stressed repeating the request from the last meeting, the Secretary-General to exert his authority and in accordance with the obligations deriving from the Security Council resolutions, to prevent the process go beyond the established framework by both parties.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed that the process takes too long and expressed hope that with good will by both sides, and with a constructive approach, it is possible progress to be made.

The UN Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to President Ivanov for the attention paid to the Alliance of Civilizations and for the contribution given by the Republic of Macedonia through the Regional initiative of the Dialogue among Civilizations since 2003. At the interest of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, President Ivanov briefed him on the developments in the region.

The meeting was attended by the new UN Alliance of Civilizations special envoy, Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser. The Macedonian President congratulated him on his appointment and informed him on the for Dialogue among Civilizations initiative by former President Boris Trajkovski, launched in 2003, which has shown outstanding results in the Southeast Europe region, as well as on the preparations for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the first summit which will be held in Ohrid in early June. They agreed on further cooperation, assistance and support between the Alliance and the Dialogue among Civilizations. The special envoy expressed readiness for direct communication on these projects.