Jean-Claude Mignon - the new President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) - said Monday in Strasbourg that the organisation needed to be more engaged in solving the name issue.

The name dispute, according to Jean-Claude Mignon, is regarded as one of the so called frozen conflicts between CoE member states. He said the name row was "ridiculous, coming from another time."

Presenting the priorities of his term, the new PACE President said that it should play a more active role in settling so called frozen issues between CoE countries.

Asked whether the name issue between Macedonia and Greece could be put in the group of "frozen conflicts" and whether an initiative could be expected for solving the dispute, Jean-Claude Mignon responded: "I forgot to mention this conflict. I forgot that we have devoted time in trying to find a name for this country. The issue is really ridiculous, excuse me for the expression. Of course, attempts need to be made and everyone has to be engaged in solving this issue. The fact that we are facing a problem to find a name for one of the former Yugoslav republic seems like an issue coming from another time. I've forgot to mention this 'frozen conflict'. However, it needs to be discussed with relevant authorities."

Jean-Claude Mignon (EPP/CD) from France has been elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Taking over from Mevlüt Çavusoglu (Turkey, EDG), he is the 26th President of the Assembly since 1949 and the first French person to hold this office in 23 years.