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Agence France-Presse

The Greek parliament on Friday approved the new name “Republic of North Macedonia” for its northern neighbour, two weeks after a similar vote by Macedonian lawmakers.
The move should help end a row that has long poisoned relations between the neighbours and clear the path for the newly renamed country to join the EU and Nato.
Here is some background about the dispute:
– Rejected from the start –
Greece rejects the name Macedonia, adopted by the country at its independence from the former Yugoslavia 27 years ago, as it is also that of a large Greek region that evokes national pride as the cradle of Alexander the Great’s ancient empire.
Greece’s Macedonia vote pushed to Friday as debate continues
Macedonia’s international recognition is immediately stalled by Greece because of its name.
Besides claiming the title as part of its heritage and identity, Greece fears Macedonia’s capital, Skopje, could harbour territorial ambitions over Greece’s region just across the border.
– A country called FYROM –
It is only with the adoption of a provisional name – the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) – that the country is finally admitted into the United Nations in 1993.
Most other nations, including Russia and the United States, later recognise its constitutional title, the Republic of Macedonia.
– Greece clamps down –
In 1994, Greece imposes an economic embargo on Macedonia and prevents it from using the Greek port at Thessaloniki, Skopje’s main trading post.
Greece also demands that Macedonia drop from its flag the golden sun of Vergina, claiming it as an ancient Greek symbol, as well as certain articles from its constitution.

– A thaw –
In 1995, the neighbours sign an accord in New York opening the way for a normalisation of trade and political ties but leaving the name dispute hanging.
They then open liaison offices in their respective capitals and a new Macedonian flag – with a different sun symbol – is raised for the first time at the United Nations.
In 2001, Greece expresses support for Skopje as it faces an armed conflict with ethnic Albanian rebels.
What’s in a name? Plenty for the countries that have changed theirs
– Greek vetoes –
After Macedonia becomes a candidate for EU membership in 2005, Greece blocks the start of negotiations, still rejecting its title.
In 2008 Macedonia is invited for Nato membership under its provisional name, but again faces a Greek veto.
Relations plummet with the erection of a huge statue of Alexander the Great in Skopje in 2011. Athens views it as an attempt to appropriate one of its greatest heroes.
– Migrant tensions –
Athens in 2016 accuses Skopje of excessive use of force against hundreds of migrants, many fleeing the war in Syria.

– Breakthrough –
Soon after his election in May 2017, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev promises a new push to settle the name dispute as he relaunches the drive for EU and Nato membership.
Negotiations restart in January 2018 under UN auspices, despite strong opposition from nationalists in both countries.
– ‘Republic of North Macedonia’ –
In June, the two sides settle on “Republic of North Macedonia”.
A September referendum among Macedonians shows 90 per cent agreement with the name change – but two-thirds of registered voters shun the ballot.
Clashes in Athens as tens of thousands protest Macedonian name deal
In October, Macedonia’s parliament, which must approve constitutional changes, votes by a razor-thin majority to begin the process of renaming the country.
The parliament in December votes for a second reading of the four amendments required to the constitution, with the final vote passed two weeks ago. The motion receives the required two-thirds majority by just one vote.
On January 25, 2019, Greek lawmakers voted by a narrow majority to ratify the name change.


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Greece

Macedonia: how a decades-long quarrel over a name is impacting Greek politics today

A woman carrying a Greek flag is escorted by another draped in one, at they leave a rally outside the Greek Parliament, background, in Athens, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Greek lawmakers have ratified the agreement for the country to drop its objections to neighbouring Macedonia joining NATO if the small country's name is changed to North Macedonia, an action aimed to end a nearly three decade-long dispute that has kept Macedonia from joining the western military alliance and the European Union.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (L) celebrates as he is congratulated following a voting session on the Prespa Agreement, an agreement aimed at ending a 27-year bilateral row by changing the name of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia, at the Greek Parliament, in Athens, on January 25, 2019. Photo: AFP

What’s in a name? Plenty for the countries that have changed theirs – will Macedonia be next?

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during a referendum, in Strumica, Macedonia. Photo: Bloomberg

Macedonia PM says Greece agrees to discuss proposed name change after decades-long spat

The name of Macedonia has been a source of contention with Greece for decades

Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos, right, listens to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras during a meeting about developments to resolve a dispute over neighbouring Macedonia's name. Photo: AP

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Greek lawmakers ratify agreement to end a nearly three decade-long dispute over neighbouring Macedonia’s name


Greek lawmakers ratify agreement to end a nearly three decade-long dispute over neighbouring Macedonia’s name.


Macedonia: how a decades-long quarrel over a name is impacting Greek politics today

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Greek lawmakers ratify agreement to end a nearly three decade-long dispute over neighbouring Macedonia’s name

Greek lawmakers ratify agreement to end a nearly three decade-long dispute over neighbouring Macedonia’s name