While world leaders greet the agreement between Macedonia and Greece over Macedonia’s name, both governments are facing bitter criticism from their political opponents back home.
While leaders in Brussels, Washington and the region have showered praise on the agreement between neighbouring Macedonia and Greece over Macedonia’s name, the deal has met a cold response from opposition parties back home.
The deal, announced by the leftist governments in Athens and Skopje on Tuesday, envisages Macedonia changing its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, subject to approval in a referendum in Macedonia that could be held later this year.
The EU’s enlargement commissioner, Johannes Hahn, and the EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, enthusiastically welcomed the breakthrough, which is expected to unlock Skopje’s stalled EU and NATO membership bids.
“We wholeheartedly congratulate [Greek and Macedonian] Prime Ministers Alexis Tsipras and Zoran Zaev for their determination and leadership in reaching this historic agreement between their countries, which contributes to the transformation of the entire region of South-East Europe,” Hahn and Mogherini said in a joint statement.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg “warmly” welcomed the news of an end to the long-running Balkan dispute.
“I now call on both countries to finalise the agreement reached by the two leaders. This will set Skopje on its path to NATO membership. And it will help to consolidate peace and stability across the wider Western Balkans,” Stoltenberg said.
The US State Department said that Washington stands ready to support the agreement, as requested by the two countries.
For more read the full of article at The Balkaninsight
