World Bulletin / News Desk

The Greek and Macedonian foreign ministers meet in Vienna on Friday for UN-mediated talks aimed at translating progress in their bitter dispute over the ex-Yugoslav republic's name into a deal.

Greece objects to its northern neighbor's name, arguing it suggests that Macedonia has claimed to the territory and heritage of Greece's historic northern region of the same name.

In light of the Greek objections, the country joined the United Nations in 1993 with the unwieldy name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or FYROM for short.

The spat has also hampered Macedonia's hopes of joining the European Union and the NATO military alliance.

Last year, UN mediator Matthew Nimetz was able to relaunch the process, meeting both sides separately and together.

Several possible names have been doing the rounds, with "Gorna Makedonija" ("Upper Macedonia") the most frequently cited.