A U.N. mediator says he presented new proposals to resolve a 25-year-old dispute between Greece and Macedonia over the Balkan nation's name and should know within two months whether progress can be made.

Matthew Nimetz told reporter after meeting with negotiators from both countries Wednesday he is "very hopeful that this process is moving in a positive direction."

He said if there is a green light, it's possible to solve the problem in six months.

He wouldn't comment on the ideas he presented but said "I myself don't think it's realistic to expect the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia not to have Macedonia in some form in its name."

Greece maintains its northern neighbor's name implies a territorial claim to its own adjoining province of Macedonia.