'Inspiration for all of us': European officials congratulate Macedonians and Greeks on the agreement

PRESPA LAKE, (Patria) – The agreement between Macedonia and Greece resolving the two-decade-long dispute over the name Macedonia was signed today in the Greek village of Psarades in the border region of Prespa by the foreign ministers in the presence of the prime ministers of the two countries and representatives of the European Union and the United Nations, which mediated the negotiations.

The agreement between the two governments to resolve mutual differences and open Macedonia's path to the EU was welcomed by many European officials.

„Signed - sealed - delivered“, wrote on Twitter the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn, along with a photo of the heads of government of Macedonia and Greece.

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

At the signing of a historic agreement, with @tsipras_eu @Zoran_Zaev @NikosKotzias @Dimitrov_Nikola @JHahnEU It’s a good day - for the two countries, for the #Balkans, for Europe, making it more peaceful and united. A source of inspiration to all of us #NorthMacedonia pic.twitter.com/S2L0DHQMCq

— Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) June 17, 2018

Former Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Jadranka Kosor also congratulated her colleagues in Macedonia and Greece.

„I congratulate politicians Zaev and Tsipras on the historic agreement. Only brave people find solutions to difficult problems. Others care only about their own ratings. Good luck to Macedonia on its path to the EU“, wrote Kosor.

Since 1991, Athens has opposed its northern neighbour bearing the name Macedonia, given that its own region bears that name, which was the cradle of the empire of Alexander the Great, a source of pride for today's Greeks. That country has until now blocked Macedonia's EU path precisely because of the name. The government of Zoran Zaev has shown a strong will to finally resolve this issue and lead the country forward.

Prime Ministers Zaev and Tsipras reached a preliminary agreement on June 12, according to which Macedonia will henceforth have the official name Republic of North Macedonia.

The two young prime ministers face sharp reactions in their countries to the reaching of the name agreement.
Hardliners accused Alexis Tsipras of treason on Saturday, initiating a vote of confidence in the government in parliament in an attempt to block the agreement with Skopje. Tsipras nevertheless received parliamentary support on Saturday evening, while thousands of Greeks protested in front of parliament against the agreement with Macedonia.

On the other hand, in Macedonia, President Gjorge Ivanov threatens to veto to block what opposition opponents of the agreement qualify as "surrender".

Zoran Zaev, who became Macedonian prime minister last year after elections, set improving relations with Greece as one of his key priorities in order to secure the country's path to membership in the European Union and NATO. 
Protesters from both countries announce protest rallies on Sunday near Prespa.

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

One of the advisors to Macedonian Prime Minister Zaev told the Patria agency that he firmly believes Ivanov and his supporters do not have the strength to stop, as he said, the European policy of Zoran Zaev, who is strongly leading the country forward.