Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) have signed a deal that, if ratified, will resolve a decades-old dispute concerning the latter country’s name. The two countries' prime ministers, Greece's Alexis Tsipras and FYROM's Zoran Zaev, attended the signing of the deal Sunday by the two countries' foreign ministers, along with UN and EU officials at the village of Psarades, on the shore of the Great Prespa lake.
“This is a mutually beneficial agreement which fully respects the values and the principles of the people,” Tsipras said during a joint conference with his FYROM counterpart Zoran Zaev ahead of the signing of the deal under which the Balkan country will be renamed the Republic of North Macedonia.
He said the deal heralded “a new era [of] stability, prosperity and security, adding however that both sides had to work hard to make this a “viable” agreement. “We have a historic responsibility that this deal is not held in abeyance, and I am confident that we will manage it,” Tsipras said.
“We will be partners and allies,” Zaev said. “We must build the foundations for mutual cooperation, friendship and joint effort in the interest of all.” “Self-isolation will benefit no one,” he added.
Following the signing, the officials left by boat for FYROM’s lake resort of Otesevo for a celebratory lunch.
Meanwhile, violence erupted Sunday when protesters demonstrating against the deal in the nearby village of Pisoderi tried to break through a police cordon and reach the lakeside village of Psarades where the ceremony was taking place. Police fired teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
The agreement still requires the approval of both parliaments and a referendum in FYROM
Source: ekathimerini.com
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