Greece and Macedonia sign historic deal to rename the country ending a 27-year name row
Greece and Macedonia have signed a historic
preliminary agreement to rename the small Balkan nation of Macedonia, the Republic of
North Macedonia, ending a row that has poisoned relations between the
two neighbours since 1991. But not everyone is happy.
This is a brave, historic and necessary step for our peoples, said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
We are here to heal the wounds of time, to open a path for peace, fraternisation and growth for our countries, the Balkans and Europe.
Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev added:
Our two countries should step out of the past and look to the future. By signing the agreement … we have really moved mountains.
But as the two countries’ foreign ministers signed the deal, Greek protesters clashed with riot police who beat them back with tear gas near the small village of Pisoderi, 25 kilometres away from the ceremony.
The accord aims to start unravelling one of the world’s longest diplomatic disputes, which began 27 years ago with Macedonia’s declaration of independence but whose roots date back centuries.
The time has come again to sing happy songs in the Balkans, Mr Tsipras said, moments before the document was signed by the foreign ministers.