PARIS: The identify chosen by way of the small jap European nation of Macedonia at its independence 27 years in the past has been steadfastly rejected by way of its neighbour Greece.
The bitter dispute has stalled the young Balkan nation's efforts to take its place in the European Union and other international establishments.
Amid a new push for an answer, this is an summary of the row:
Macedonia broadcasts its independence from the former Yugoslavia in September 1991 but its reputation by way of the international neighborhood is instantly blocked by way of Greece, which claims the identify as part of its personal historical heritage.
Greece also has a northern province bordering the new nation that has the same identify and fears Skopje is also harbouring territorial ambitions.
It is most effective with the adoption of a provisional identify -- the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) -- that the country is in spite of everything admitted into the United Nations in April 1993.
Most countries, including Russia and the United States, later recognise its constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia.
In February 1994 Greece imposes an economic embargo on Macedonia, including stopping the landlocked nation from using the port of Thessaloniki, its major trading submit.
Greece also demands Macedonia drops from its flag the rayed solar of Vergina, which it claims is an historical Greek image, and sure articles from its constitution.
In September 1995 the neighbours check in New York an accord opening the way for a normalisation of their business and political ties, but go away placing the identify dispute.
The following month they open liaison places of work in their respective capitals and a new Macedonian flag -- with the debatable solar replaced -- is raised for the first time at the United Nations.
In 2001 Greece declares its improve for its neighbour as it battles rebels from the significant Albanian minority.
Macedonia turns into a candidate for membership of the European Union in December 2005 but Greece blocks the start of negotiations, which should be agreed unanimously.
In April 2008 it items itself as a candidate for membership of the NATO army alliance, underneath the provisional identify, but is again met with a Greek veto.
Relations sink even additional with the erection in Skopje in 2011 of an enormous statue of Alexander the Great. Athens perceives this as an effort to appropriate the traditional conqueror, one among its largest army heroes.
The flood of migrants into Europe fuels the tensions. In April 2016 Athens accuses Skopje of using excessive force against loads of migrants trying to pass the border into Macedonia.
Soon after his election in June 2017, new Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev guarantees a new push to finish the dispute and relaunch the power for EU and NATO membership.
"I know that if we have friendly relations and a good approach then a solution is feasible," he tells newshounds.
The bitter dispute has stalled the young Balkan nation's efforts to take its place in the European Union and other international establishments.
Amid a new push for an answer, this is an summary of the row:
Macedonia broadcasts its independence from the former Yugoslavia in September 1991 but its reputation by way of the international neighborhood is instantly blocked by way of Greece, which claims the identify as part of its personal historical heritage.
Greece also has a northern province bordering the new nation that has the same identify and fears Skopje is also harbouring territorial ambitions.
It is most effective with the adoption of a provisional identify -- the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) -- that the country is in spite of everything admitted into the United Nations in April 1993.
Most countries, including Russia and the United States, later recognise its constitutional name, the Republic of Macedonia.
In February 1994 Greece imposes an economic embargo on Macedonia, including stopping the landlocked nation from using the port of Thessaloniki, its major trading submit.
Greece also demands Macedonia drops from its flag the rayed solar of Vergina, which it claims is an historical Greek image, and sure articles from its constitution.
In September 1995 the neighbours check in New York an accord opening the way for a normalisation of their business and political ties, but go away placing the identify dispute.
The following month they open liaison places of work in their respective capitals and a new Macedonian flag -- with the debatable solar replaced -- is raised for the first time at the United Nations.
In 2001 Greece declares its improve for its neighbour as it battles rebels from the significant Albanian minority.
Macedonia turns into a candidate for membership of the European Union in December 2005 but Greece blocks the start of negotiations, which should be agreed unanimously.
In April 2008 it items itself as a candidate for membership of the NATO army alliance, underneath the provisional identify, but is again met with a Greek veto.
Relations sink even additional with the erection in Skopje in 2011 of an enormous statue of Alexander the Great. Athens perceives this as an effort to appropriate the traditional conqueror, one among its largest army heroes.
The flood of migrants into Europe fuels the tensions. In April 2016 Athens accuses Skopje of using excessive force against loads of migrants trying to pass the border into Macedonia.
Soon after his election in June 2017, new Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev guarantees a new push to finish the dispute and relaunch the power for EU and NATO membership.
"I know that if we have friendly relations and a good approach then a solution is feasible," he tells newshounds.
Macedonia: The decades-long quarrel over its name
![Macedonia: The decades-long quarrel over its name]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 17, 2018
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