Greek Parliament Confirms Agreement on Name North Macedonia

ATHENS, (Patria) - Greek parliamentarians narrowly voted today for the historic agreement with Macedonia, thus ending the 27-year dispute over the country's name. 

 

Честито мој пријателе @tsipras_eu, заедно со нашите народи испишавме историска победа. Нека е вечен Договорот од Преспа, нека се вечни мирот и прогресот на Балканот и во Европа. pic.twitter.com/o0VV5GGnZb

— Зоран Заев (@Zoran_Zaev) January 25, 2019

 

153 parliamentarians voted for the Prespa Agreement, while 148 were against the name Republic of North Macedonia. According to surveys, the majority of Greek citizens were against the agreement, but the Prime Minister of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, risked it and brought the agreement to an end despite this.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Greek parliament a few days ago protesting against the name. Earlier, the agreement was accepted in the Macedonian Sobranie.

Al Jazeera reminds that the agreement stipulates that Macedonia's name be changed to North Macedonia, and in return, Greece will cease blocking its membership in the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) and the European Union.

They had imagination, they took the risk, they were ready to sacrifice their own interests for the greater good. Zoran, Alexis – well done! Mission impossible accomplished. #PrespaAgreement@Zoran_Zaev @tsipras_eu

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) January 25, 2019