Situation in Skopje calms down after yesterday's demonstrations

SKOPJE, (Patria) - In Skopje on Sunday evening, police used tear gas in front of the parliament building to disperse demonstrators who had previously attacked the police during protests due to the signing of the agreement between Greece and Macedonia on the name.

Radio Free Europe reported that demonstrators had also torn down a protective fence before the police dispersed them with tear gas in front of the Assembly, after which the situation calmed down, although groups of demonstrators and police cordons remained on the streets.

According to the MIA agency, citing police sources, seven police officers were injured and 25 demonstrators were detained during the protests.

An official from the Macedonian government told the Patria agency that the government is monitoring the situation regarding the demonstrators.  

The foreign ministers of Macedonia and Greece, Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kodzijas (Kotzias), signed an agreement on Sunday to change the name of Macedonia to the Republic of Northern Macedonia, abbreviated as North Macedonia.

The United Nations (UN) mediator in the name dispute, Matthew Nimic (Matthew), also put his signature on the agreement, calling it "fair, honest and applicable".

The prime ministers of the two countries, Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras, emphasized the importance of this agreement for the future of both countries and the stability of the entire region.

Tsipras called the agreement patriotic and urged the citizens of both countries to accept it without prejudice.
During the signing ceremony of the agreement, supporters of the Greek opposition protested in the Greek part of Prespa.

Since 1991, Athens has opposed its northern neighbor bearing the name Macedonia, as its region, which was the cradle of the empire of Alexander the Great and a source of pride for modern Greeks, also bears that name. The country has so far blocked Macedonia's path to the EU precisely because of the name. Zoran Zaev's government has shown a strong will to finally resolve this issue and move the country forward.

The agreement between the two governments to resolve their disputes and open Macedonia's path to the EU has been welcomed by many European officials.

"Signed - sealed - delivered," wrote the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, on Twitter, along with a photo of the leaders of the Macedonian and Greek governments.

"This is a good day for the two countries, for the Balkans, for Europe. A source of inspiration for all of us," wrote the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.

The agreement must also be ratified by the Macedonian parliament and accepted in a referendum.