Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and his counterpart of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Nikola Gruevski held 30-minute talks here on Thursday, within the framework of regular contacts at the highest level between the two countries.

According to reports, the Greek prime minister stressed that decisions by the Skopje government to erect statues of historical figures associated with Greek history in various locations in the one-time Yugoslav republic raises an issue of credibility and real adherence, by FYROM's leadership, towards efforts to achieve a solution to the nagging "name issue".

Papandreou reiterated Athens' steadfast will for progress in negotiations and clarified that he expects specific steps from the other side, so that they will reach an agreement.

He stressed that Greece does not intend to participate in a "communication mobility" around the issue of the name, but looks forward to substantive negotiations, reiterating a solution is feasible provided that FYROM's leadership exhibits the necessary political will.