Macedonia Gets New Name, Ending 27-Year Dispute With Greece
"Ever since the Republic of Macedonia declared its independence in 1991, Greece
has been fighting the country over its name. Today the 27-year impasse ended as two nations finally came to a resolution: The former Yugoslav republic is getting a new name, the Republic of North Macedonia."
"'There is no way back,' Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said in a press conference, Reuters reports, after he spoke with his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras. 'Our bid in the compromise is a defined and precise name, the name that is honorable and geographically precise — Republic of Northern Macedonia.'"
"When Yugoslavia disintegrated, one of its pieces declared itself the Republic of Macedonia. But its southern neighbor, Greece, has regions that use the same name, and both countries argued that they had the rightful claim to it."
"'We have a deal. I'm happy because we have a good deal which covers all the preconditions set by the Greek side,' Tsipras said, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty."
"The issue has been heated, and one with very real repercussions for Macedonia: It hasn't been able to join the European Union or NATO because Greece opposed its name. It was admitted to the United Nations as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, because of Greece's objection."