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News > World

Greeks Protest Name 'Apropriation', Macedonian PM Says Referendum Will Decide Name

  • Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev says a referendum will decide the country's name.

    Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev says a referendum will decide the country's name. | Photo: Reuters FILE

Published 21 January 2018
Opinion

People sporting traditional wear and others in Macedonian wars era-costumes gathered at the White Tower ahead of the demonstrations.

Greek media reports that about 30,000 people are expected to gather in Thessaloniki to protest against any deal between Athens and Skopje over the name “Macedonia.”

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Some 400 buses will be transporting people in from across the country, local media reported. “The mobilization of the people has exceeded all expectations, ” organizing committee member, Irini Leonardou, told AFP.

People sporting traditional wear and others in Macedonian wars era-costumes gathered at the White Tower ahead of the demonstrations.

Macedonia, the name, has long been disputed by both regions. Neighboring Greece has, over the years, insisted that the former Yugoslav republic should adopt a different name, since “Macedonia” is widely known as one of Greece's regions in addition to the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia lays north of Macedonia, Greece.

However, Athens agreed that the country can be referred to internationally as “FYROM” (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), the name under which it was admitted to the United Nations in 1993. 

Athens has repeatedly argued that the name Macedonia suggests that Skopje has territorial claims to its Greek namesake region. Macedonia became independent in 1991; the country has a population of about 2 million.

According to Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, a referendum will decide the country's name. “You see that there is a transparent process, we want a solution based on a national consensus, and it must be finally confirmed by citizens in a referendum.”

Matthew Nimetz – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' representative – will once again serve as the mediator, when talks between Greece and Macedonia resume on Wednesday in New York.

The rep has proposed five possible options for the country's name — Republika Nova Makedonija (Republic of New Macedonia), Republika Severna Makedonija (Republic of Northern Macedonia), Republika Gorna Makedonija (Republic of Upper Macedonia), Republika Vardarska Makedonija (Republic of Vardar Macedonia) and Republika Makedonija (Skopje).

Nimetz believes the 27-year name issue could be solved within half a year, soon after the requisite consultation.

Greece's opposition to the use of the name has left Skopje ineligible to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union.

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