Thursday, 16 August, 2018
  • World News
  • Macedonia makes name change deal with Greece

Macedonia makes name change deal with Greece

Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev addresses the media about the'name agreement with Greece Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev addresses the media about the'name agreement with Greece
Steven Clarke | 13 June, 2018, 09:19

Macedonia reached a deal with Greece on Tuesday to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia in order to end a decades-long dispute.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addressed the nation in a 5-minute televised address to announce the deal with his counterpart, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev.

"The name [will be] the Republic of North Macedonia translated into all languages for general use", Zaev said, as aired by the Macedonian TV channels.

That is because the Balkan nation will be holding a referendum later this year to officially change its name to the Northern Republic of Macedonia.

Ancient Macedonia was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire, a point of pride to Greeks today.

Zaev said the deal would open the way for the tiny Balkan nation's eventual membership of the European Union and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, now blocked by Greece's objections to its use of the name Macedonia.

Zaev said resolving the longstanding issue would open Macedonia's access to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the EU.

The name dispute between Athens and Skopje dates back to 1991, when Macedonia peacefully broke away from Yugoslavia, declaring its independence under the name Republic of Macedonia.

Greece and Macedonia are involved in a longtime dispute over the name of the Republic of Macedonia.

Salmonella found in pre-cut melon sickens 60 people: CDC
The FDA said it's working with the CDC to determine if the recalled products went to additional stores or states. About 60 people in five states, including five in IN, were sickened by the fruit, the health department said.

The United Nations envoy who has tried to mediate the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia for almost as long as the dispute has existed is congratulating the countries' prime ministers for resolving their differences.

"I now call on both countries to finalise the agreement reached by the two leaders".

Both Albania and Macedonia hope to launch full membership negotiations with the European Union.

However, Mr Tsipras said, this will be contingent on Macedonia completing the constitutional changes.

On June 6, thousands of people protested in major cities across Greece against the compromise, while, four days earlier, like numbers of supporters of Macedonia's right-wing opposition VMRO-DPMNE party took to the streets of the capital, Skopje, to protest against a deal. "I am keeping my fingers crossed". Tusk said: "Thanks to you the impossible is becoming possible", he said. That challenge will still be a mountain to climb, as Greek Prime Minister Tsipras has not yet secured any support in parliament.

Veteran United Nations diplomat Matthew Nimetz, who has been a mediator in the name dispute since 1994, hailed the "leadership, vision and determination" of the foreign ministers of Greece and Macedonia, who have negotiated for months.

After the final agreement has been reached, a joint statement for the Greek and Macedonian public is expected to be published.

Greek opponents of the deal say it would not go far enough.

World Cup 2018 opening ceremony performers, start time and how to watch
Donald Trump: 'Very Low IQ' Robert De Niro May Be ‘Punch Drunk’

Recommended

Bethesda announces ‘Elder Scrolls: Blades’ coming to iOS this fall Bethesda announces ‘Elder Scrolls: Blades’ coming to iOS this fall It seems to be directly inspired by Elder Scrolls Arena and Daggerfall, the first two games in the Elder Scrolls canon. Upon release of the console, VR, and PC versions, cross-platform play will be supported, according to Bethesda.

Malcolm Turnbull issues emphatic endorsement of Donald Trump's North Korea approach Malcolm Turnbull issues emphatic endorsement of Donald Trump's North Korea approach Add North Korea as an interest to stay up to date on the latest North Korea news, video, and analysis from ABC News. As they ended their summit Mr Trump praised Mr Kim as a "very worthy, very smart negotiator".

Grandmother Put Children in Dog Kennels to Travel, Police Say Grandmother Put Children in Dog Kennels to Travel, Police Say Police say the children were not harmed. "I don't think she knew because she loves her grandkids", Cowan told Fox 13 . Skylarr Blake, who lives a few doors down from Cheeks, said he couldn't imagine her doing such a thing.

Canada rallies to Trudeau after Trump's insult Canada rallies to Trudeau after Trump's insult And Roland Paris , a former foreign policy adviser to Trudeau, jabbed at Trump on Twitter: "Big tough guy once he's back on his airplane".

Thomas Lemar Transfer Agreement with Atletico Madrid Announced by Monaco Thomas Lemar Transfer Agreement with Atletico Madrid Announced by Monaco Griezmann is set to announce his intentions before France begin their World Cup campaign against Australia next Saturday. But, according to "Canal + Francia", Griezmann has made a decision to stay with Atletico and lead the club's project.

The intense video Trump showed Kim during his historic summit The intense video Trump showed Kim during his historic summit Monday in NY - marking the first face-to-face encounter between a sitting USA president and a North Korean leader. The two men kicked off their summit with a handshake shortly after 9 a.m. local time Tuesday - 9 p.m.

Alec Baldwin Says He Would Win the Presidency if He Ever Ran Alec Baldwin Says He Would Win the Presidency if He Ever Ran He added he was not the "hope" of the Democratic Party, and he hoped someone great would emerge as the party's standard-bearer. Alec Baldwin may be positioning himself for a 2020 presidential race against the man he plays on TV. "I would absolutely win".

Triple Crown victor Justify will race at Del Mar Racetrack Triple Crown victor Justify will race at Del Mar Racetrack Justify is the 13th Triple Crown victor ! Affirmed not only raced, but also won Horse of the Year honors, at age 4. But the horses slowed down the back stretch and Baffert liked what he saw on the timer at the half-mile pole.

United Kingdom justice minister resigns over Brexit ahead of key votes United Kingdom justice minister resigns over Brexit ahead of key votes Despite many Conservative MPs who backed Remain in the referendum, just two rebelled against the government on a meaningful vote. They subsequently warned they will not be easily bought off, while Tory Brexiteers urged ministers not to concede any ground.

Mohamed Salah threatens to quit Liverpool after Nabil Fekir deal collapse Mohamed Salah threatens to quit Liverpool after Nabil Fekir deal collapse The former Roma star is fighting to be fit for Egypt's 2018 World Cup opener against Uruguay . Egypt is playing in its first World Cup since 1990.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350: Aerodynamic Features Straight from the GT500 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350: Aerodynamic Features Straight from the GT500 This begins with new 19-inch wheels wrapped in new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires measuring 295/35 up front and 305/35 out back. What they can not opt for, though, is the same aesthetic or functional updates Ford made to the standard Mustang for this year.

Premier League winter break confirmed Premier League winter break confirmed In a statement, EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said "it is now impractical even if it was desirable for the EFL" to take part in the mid-season break because of the scheduling challenges of playing 46-game seasons and play-offs.

Fire in Iraqi ballot box storage site ahead of recount Fire in Iraqi ballot box storage site ahead of recount The Iraqi parliament amended election law on June 6, 2018, allowing for the manual recount of more than 10 million votes. Abadi's bloc came in third in the election, which was marked by low turnout.

Mistake-free Verstappen fastest in Canada Mistake-free Verstappen fastest in Canada Hamilton tops the championship leaderboard, 14 points ahead of Vettel, as each pursues a fifth Formula One title. But we re still ok: "Max had good pace, but Mercedes are going to be big tomorrow (Saturday)", he said.

Paris incident: Armed man takes hostages Paris incident: Armed man takes hostages The area around the incident in the 10th arrondissement of Paris was ringed off by police. Video on BFM-TV showed a demining device for bombs at the scene.