Deal Signed on New Name for Macedonia

PRESPA LAKE, (Patria) - The agreement between Macedonia and Greece, which resolves the two-and-a-half-decade dispute over the name Macedonia, was signed today in the Greek village of Psarades in the border region of Prespa by the heads of diplomacy in the presence of the prime ministers of both countries and representatives of the European Union and the United Nations, who mediated the negotiations, Beta reported.

Previously, the prime ministers of Greece, Alexis Tsipras, and Macedonia, Zoran Zaev, addressed the attendees, calling each other friends and describing the signing of the agreement as a historic day. 

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

"By signing the agreement to resolve a dispute that has lasted for almost three decades and on strategic partnership, we have truly moved mountains. Today, we are putting an end to years of differences that erected a wall preventing the friendship of two peoples. The agreement benefits the citizens of both countries and creates a new reality in the region," said the Macedonian prime minister.

The agreement between the two prime ministers was welcomed by the EU, NATO, the US, and other countries, including Russia.

Since 1991, Athens has opposed its northern neighbor bearing the name Macedonia, as its own region, which was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire and a source of pride for modern Greeks, bears that name. That country had previously blocked Macedonia's EU path 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 two young prime ministers are facing sharp reactions in their countries regarding the agreement on the name.

Supporters of a hard line accused Alexis Tsipras of treason on Saturday, initiating a vote of confidence in the government in parliament, intending to block the agreement with Skopje. However, Tsipras received parliamentary support on Saturday evening, while thousands of Greeks protested outside parliament against the agreement with Macedonia.

On the other hand, in Macedonia, President Gjorge Ivanov is threatening to veto the agreement, which opposition opponents of the deal describe as a "capitulation."

Zoran Zaev, who became Macedonian prime minister last year after the elections, made improving relations with Greece 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 have announced protest rallies for Sunday near Prespa.

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

One of Prime Minister Zaev's advisors told the Patria agency that he firmly believes that Ivanov and his supporters do not have the power to stop, as he put it, Zoran Zaev's European policy, which is strongly leading the country forward.