Macedonian parliament ratifies agreement with Greece on country's name

SKOPJE, (Patria) - The Macedonian parliament (Sobranje) unanimously ratified the agreement with Greece on the new name of the country.

Deputies of the main opposition party VMRO-DPMNE boycotted the session, BHRT reports.

Out of 120 members of the Sobranje, 69 deputies voted for the law, which stipulates that the country will henceforth be called the Republic of North Macedonia.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told deputies that Skopje and Athens had reached a “dignified and acceptable” agreement for both countries, AP reported.

The ratification of the agreement is expected to bring Macedonia approval from the European Union (EU) by the end of the month to open accession negotiations and an invitation for NATO membership at the next summit of the military alliance, on July 11 and 12.