Tsipras and Zaev to sign agreement on changing Macedonia's name today

PRESZPA LAKE, (Patria) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev are expected to sign an agreement today on changing the current official name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the new name Republic of North Macedonia.

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

Foreign Ministers Nikos Kotzias and Nikola Dimitrov will meet on Sunday in the border area on the shores of Lake Prespa to officially sign the historic agreement.

They will be joined by the prime ministers of the two countries, Tsipras and Zaev, as well as representatives of the United Nations and the European Union.

The delegations will sign the agreement from the Greek side of the border and then cross to the Macedonian side, where a joint breakfast will be held, Athens announced.

The two young prime ministers are facing sharp reactions in their countries regarding the agreement on the name.

Alexis Tsipras was accused of treason by hardliners on Saturday by 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 in front of the parliament against the agreement with Macedonia.

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

Zoran Zaev, who became Macedonian Prime Minister last year after the elections, has made improving relations with Greece one of his important 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 accepted in a referendum.