PELLA, Greece (AP) — Thousands of protesters have gathered near the birthplace of Alexander the Great to demand that the Greek government take a tough stance with neighboring FYROM over that country’s name.

The rally in the village of Pella is among 25 organized across the country Wednesday by hardliners opposing any use of the name Macedonia by Greece’s small northern neighbor.

The two countries have said negotiations launched this year are nearing a solution to the 27-year name dispute. But a Greek official warned last week that prospects for a deal materializing within days were receding.

Athens says the name Macedonia implies claims on its northern province of Macedonia. Skopje denies that.

Rally participant Eugenia Sarrigiannidou says she hopes the protest will harden Greece’s official position in negotiations with FYROM.

A vendor pushes his trolley with Greek flags during of a rally in Pella, northern Greece, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Hardline groups trying to pressure Greece’s government into adopting a tougher stance in negotiations with northern neighbor Macedonia organize rallies in Pella, birthplace of ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great, and other northern Greek towns. The T-shirts read in Greek ”Macedonia is Greek.” (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

A boy holds a giant Greek flag during a rally in Pella, northern Greece, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Hardline groups trying to pressure Greece’s government into adopting a tougher stance in negotiations with northern neighbor Macedonia organize rallies in Pella, birthplace of ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great, and other northern Greek towns. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

A man holds a Greek flag next to a statue of Alexander the Great during a rally in Pella, northern Greece, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Hardline groups trying to pressure Greece’s government into adopting a tougher stance in negotiations with northern neighbor Macedonia organize rallies in Pella, birthplace of ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great, and other northern Greek towns. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

Demonstrators hold Greek flags during a rally in Pella, northern Greece, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Hardline groups trying to pressure Greece’s government into adopting a tougher stance in negotiations with northern neighbor Macedonia organize rallies in Pella, birthplace of ancient Greek warrior-king Alexander the Great, and other northern Greek towns. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)

The statue of Alexander the Great is seen among Greek flags during a rally in Pella, northern Greece, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Thousands of protesters gather near the birthplace of Alexander the Great in northern Greece to demand that the Greek government takes a tough stance with Macedonia over the latter country’s name. (AP Photo/Giannis Papanikos)