Hundreds of Greeks protest against Macedonia name-change deal
- 6 years ago
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Thessaloniki, Greece on Friday night to voice their anger at a deal which will formally change the name of the country Macedonia.
Greece and Macedonia will sign an accord on Sunday to change the name of the former Yugoslav republic, as the governments of both countries faced mounting opposition at home over the deal.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his counterpart Zoran Zaev have agreed the country will officially be called the “Republic of Northern Macedonia." It is currently known at the United Nations under the interim name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."
Greece has long objected to its neighbour’s use of the name ‘Macedonia’, insisting it implies territorial claims on a northern Greek province of that name.
Greece and Macedonia will sign an accord on Sunday to change the name of the former Yugoslav republic, as the governments of both countries faced mounting opposition at home over the deal.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and his counterpart Zoran Zaev have agreed the country will officially be called the “Republic of Northern Macedonia." It is currently known at the United Nations under the interim name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."
Greece has long objected to its neighbour’s use of the name ‘Macedonia’, insisting it implies territorial claims on a northern Greek province of that name.