Macedonia and Greece signed an agreement on the name

The agreement between Macedonia and Greece, which resolves a two-decade-long dispute over the name, was signed by diplomats in the Greek village of Psarades in the border region of Prussia in the presence of the prime ministers of the two countries and representatives of the European Union and the United Nations that mediated in the negotiations.

Previously gathered, including high representatives of the European Union and the United Nations and numerous journalists, addressed Greek Prime Ministers Alexis Cyprus and Macedonia Zoran Zaev who called each other friends, assessing the signing of the deal with the historic day.

"By signing a dispute settlement agreement that lasted nearly three decades and a strategic partnership, we have really moved the mountains. Today we are putting an end to the many years of difference that have been lifted by the wall that has prevented the friendship of the two peoples. "said the Macedonian Prime Minister.

As he pointed out, the agreement creates a chance and a historic opportunity for enhanced cooperation between the two neighboring countries, for stronger economic ties and higher growth and development. "Today we can freely say that we are proud of our agreement, because we have chosen a solution that unites us," Zaev said.

The signing of the deal was attended by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and the UN mediator in the marathon dispute between the two countries Matthew Nimetz.

The document was signed in the village of Psarades on the Greek side of the Prespa Lake in a specially erected "tent", and a delegation of the Macedonian Government arrived at the ceremonial ceremony with speedboats from the Macedonian side.

The delegation led by Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at the port was greeted by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Cipras and Foreign Minister Kocijas with other ministers of the Greek government. After a warm welcome with arms and strong applause, the prime ministers went with the ministers to sign the agreement.

In addition to Zaev and Dimitrov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Radmila Sekerinska, Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bujar Osmani and Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski came to Psaresedes.

After the talks between Prime Minister Cipras and Zaev, the delegation of the governments of Macedonia and Greece will continue on the Macedonian side of the border region of Prespa with bilateral talks and a joint lunch in the village of Oteshevo. Events on the coast of Prespa Lake are accompanied by strong insurance measures.

By Cypriot and Zaev's agreement, reached on June 12, Macedonia is expected to change its name into the "Republic of Northern Macedonia", with the change of the Constitution and referendum, and that Greece ceases to prevent Macedonia from joining NATO and start accession negotiations with the EU.

The two prime ministers welcomed the EU, NATO, the United States and other countries, including Russia.

An agreement on the settlement of the dispute over the name of Macedonia has fostered deep nationalist attitudes in both Greece and Macedonia, and critics of Prime Minister Cipras and Zaev accuse them of "treason."

Greek police prevented tens of protesters from interrupting the signing of the deal

Greek police have prevented opponents of the Greek-Macedonian agreement on the name from preventing the signing of an agreement that was held in Psarades village.

It is alleged that a group of citizens shot the police with wood and other objects, and the police responded with tear gas. Participants of the protest wore banners on which Macedonia was Greece and Here Northern Macedonia ends.

Greek media report that, during the signing of an agreement in churches in the village of Psarades and in the entire region of Florina, on the orders of the Metropolitan of that Greek Orthodox Church of Teoklitos, a mournful bell rang, as at the time of the funeral.

• 17 Jun, 2018
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