Macedonian government agrees to change the country's name to after decades-long dispute with Greece
դիտումներ: 1012
Greece has long objected to the use of the name “Macedonia” because it was shared by the ancient Greek kingdom ruled by Alexander of Macedon, and is also used by an adjacent Greek region.
As a result of Greece’s objections Macedonia was only admitted to the UN under the provisional name the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) after it gained its independence in 1991 from the break-up of Yugoslavia.
Successive Greek governments have also previously threatened to block Macedonia’s entry to the European Union and the Nato alliance under its original constitutional name. Macedonia is a candidate state for EU membership.
Under the deal, finalised a phone call between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev on Tuesday, Greece would lift its vetoes in exchange for the name change.
The country’s name would be changed to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, to reflect the existence of the Greek region of Macedonia on the other side of the border. The name would be used internally and externally.
Both countries’ parliaments need to ratify the deal, and Macedonia is expected to hold a referendum on the issue. Nationalists in both countries are opposed to compromise and could yet derail the accord. The agreement is set to be formally signed on Saturday at Lake Prespa, which straddles the country’s border, and that of neighbouring Albania.
