Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis is to meet with her counterpart from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Antonio Milososki in Brussels today to push forward talks aimed at solving the Macedonia name dispute, the ministry in Athens said yesterday.

Meanwhile, sources told Kathimerini that Greek diplomats are worried that Washington is trying to muscle its way into the talks, which are to be attended by US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried on the sidelines of a European summit.

Bakoyannis, in Tirana yesterday, reiterated that Greece would veto FYROM’s bid to join NATO unless the name dispute is resolved. But government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos was more upbeat. “We are coming to the table with a constructive outlook and positive disposition,” he said.

In Skopje, Milososki gave a mixed message. He said FYROM had rejected three alternative name proposals made by United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz and hoped for “more suitable ideas.” But he said FYROM would “continue to participate actively” in talks.