Zaev: Agreement will preserve Macedonian identity

SKOPJE, (Patria) - Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said that the agreement between Athens and Skopje on changing the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic to “Republic of Northern Macedonia” will preserve the Macedonian ethnic and cultural identity, meaning that the language will continue to be called “Macedonian” and the people “Macedonians”, world agencies report, BHRT reports.

Zaev called on citizens to go to the referendum, where they will decide on the agreement, which will be held later this year.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said the agreement represents a great diplomatic victory and a historic moment for the Balkans and the people of the two countries.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was among the first to welcome what he described as a historic agreement and called on both sides to finalize the deal, writes the British Guardian.

- This will put Skopje on the path to NATO membership and help consolidate peace and stability in the wider Western Balkans region - Stoltenberg said.

Zaev is expected to present the agreement to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Thursday.

Congratulations on the agreement were sent by European Council President Donald Tusk, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government of Montenegro and numerous other officials.