On June 17, 2018, the governments of North Macedonia and Greece reached an historic agreement to resolve a longstanding dispute over the name of the former Yugoslav republic. The agreement resulted in the renaming of the country to “North Macedonia,” ending a 27-year dispute between the two nations.
The name dispute between these two Balkan nations originated in 1991, when the Republic of Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia. Greece did not recognize the country`s name, claiming that “Macedonia” implied a territorial claim on the northern Greek region also known as Macedonia – where Alexander the Great was born.
This disagreement led to decades of conflict between the two nations, with Greece blocking Macedonia’s efforts to join the EU and NATO due to the country`s name. However, with the recent agreement, both nations will be able to move forward and strengthen political and economic cooperation.
The agreement includes several key points, including the official renaming of the country to North Macedonia and the removal of any irredentist claims on Greek territory. The agreement also acknowledges the historical and cultural heritage of the region and guarantees the protection of the rights of ethnic Macedonians in Greece and the rights of ethnic Greeks in Macedonia.
The agreement was celebrated by world leaders and marked a significant step towards peace and stability in the Balkans. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called it a “historic achievement” and stated that the agreement would bring “a positive wind of change across the entire region.”
However, not everyone was happy with the agreement. Some Macedonians saw it as a concession to Greece, and protests erupted in several cities across the country. Despite the protests, the agreement was ratified by both governments and officially went into effect on February 12, 2019.
Overall, the North Macedonia-Greece agreement is a significant milestone in the history of the Balkans. The resolution of this long-standing dispute is a testament to the power of diplomacy and the collective will of two nations to move forward towards a peaceful and prosperous future.
