Page 34 - bne_Magazine_July_2018

34 I Southeast Europe bne July 2018
Macedonia and Greece sign heroic name deal amid fierce opposition
Valentina Dimitrievska in Skopje
Macedonia and Greece signed a historic deal on June 17 to solve the bitter name dispute between the two countries, despite fierce resistance by opposition parties in both countries.
The deal sets the new name for the
tiny Balkan country as the Republic of North Macedonia, even though this is unacceptable for many at home and
also in Greece. The new name is aimed to distinguish the country now called Macedonia from a province in northern Greece that has the same name. The deal was the result of six months of intense talks and comes after a more than two decades of dispute between Skopje and Athens.
For the authorities in both countries
the agreement is a triumph as it will put an end to the long dispute, while for Macedonia it will pave the way for Euro-
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Atlantic integration as Greece had been blocking its membership of the EU and Nato due to the unresolved issue.
The deal was signed in Prespes, on the Greek side of Prespa lake, which is split between the two countries, at 10.40 AM Macedonian time, by the foreign ministers of Macedonia and Greece,
Hahn and UN mediator in the dispute Matthew Nimetz.
“A beautiful and magnificent day,” said Zaev before the signing ceremony.
For Zaev this is an historic opportunity to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the economic sphere
“The deal was the result of six months of intense talks and comes after a more than two decades of dispute”
Nikola Dimitrov and Nikos Kotzias. Before the signing, prime ministers
of Macedonia and Greece Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras delivered speeches at the ceremony attended by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes
and to ease trade and the flow of people as well as to build a strong partnership with Greece.
“We are proud of this agreement as it is about a solution that unites,” Zaev said, adding that isolation will benefit no one.