Macedonian and Greek Prime Ministers, Nikola Gruevski and George Papandreou respectively, will discuss Friday in Prespes the name issue and expectations from the EU December summit, which would tackle the date for beginning of Macedonia accession negotiations.

Gruevski and Papandreou will meet at the sidelines of the trilateral meeting on climate change, which the Greek PM has initiated, also including Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

In light of the meeting, there are no excessive expectations either in Skopje or Athens that the issue could be closed.

PM Gruevski said Wednesday he expected no name settlement to be reached at the meeting with Greek counterpart Papandreou in Prespes, however he believes the meeting will give "positive impulse".

"I expect a pleasant discussion and exchange of viewpoints on matters that concern us", added Gruevski.

Media reports citing Government sources say Macedonia favors a mutually acceptable solution without changes to the Constitution, national and language identity, one which would be subject to a referendum where citizens have the final word. The Macedonian side claims that Greece should abide by the provisions of the 1995 Interim Treaty and refrain from obstructing Macedonia's accession in international organizations.

There are no great expectations from the Greek side too. Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas said the Papandreou-Gruevski meeting neither replaces nor harms the process underway at the United Nations for finding a solution.

"The two prime ministers will raise the name issue at the Prespes informal meeting, but this is not a negotiation", said Droutsas while repeating that Greece had a firm position, a single name with a geographic qualifier, whereas Macedonia's prospects of joining the EU were conditional on finding a solution.

International representatives have voiced greater optimism in light of the EU Council meeting on December 7, suggesting direct talks between the two parties, in order to put an end to the 18-year-long row.

Swedish FM and incumbent EU chairman Carl Bildt, who arrived late Thursday for an unannounced visit to Skopje, said a few days ago that Greek and Macedonian PMs should enter into direct talks in order to reach a settlement, whereas the UN mediator would provide the required technical support.

According to US ambassador to Macedonia Philip Reeker, the Prespes meeting represents an opportunity for dialogue and chance for the name talks to move forward.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Wednesday's address before the European Parliament that Macedonia is ready to start EU accession negotiations and there is still a possibility for settling the name row ahead of the EU Summit in December, thus increasing the country's changes to obtain an accession talks date.

According to announcements, today's trilateral meeting in Prespes is scheduled to start at 15,00h, whereas Gruevski and Papandreou are to meet at approximately 19,00h.